Hanul lui Manuc, also called Hanul lui Manuc or Manuc’s Inn, is a restaurant inside one of Bucharest’s best-known historic inns. From Strada Franceză, you pass through a tall arch into a courtyard framed by wooden galleries and tables. It feels a world away from the busy Old Town lanes outside.
I stayed in the outdoor courtyard when I visited. In summer it gets busy with both tourists and locals from nearby offices, and lunch is the busiest time because of the weekday lunch offer. I took photos of the entrance, courtyard and menu, so this guide covers the setting, what you can order and the practical details to check before you go.
Hanul lui Manuc at a Glance
Strada Franceză 62–64, a short walk from Piața Unirii metro.
An early 19th-century inn where the Treaty of Bucharest was signed in 1812.
The restaurant listed its lunch menu at 40.9 lei on 1 October 2026. It updates the offer twice a month; check the current menu.
Practical Information
- Address: Strada Franceză 62–64, Bucharest Old Town.
- Opening hours: The restaurant currently lists 10:00–00:00 Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 10:00–02:00 Friday and Saturday. Check its contact page before visiting, especially around public holidays.
- Reservations: Call +40 730 188 653. Booking is a good idea for summer evenings or if you have a particular seating area in mind.
- Nearest metro: Piața Unirii, a short walk away.
- Ratings: See the cards above for current Google Maps and Tripadvisor scores; ratings change over time.
- Lunch offer: The restaurant page listed the weekday lunch menu at 40.9 lei when I checked in October 2026. The selection changes twice a month; check the current offer before setting out.
- Seating: Outdoor tables fill the central courtyard in warm weather. I sat outside, so the first-hand impressions below are of the courtyard.
The old-town lanes around the inn are cobbled, so wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in. The entrance is on Strada Franceză; once you pass under the arch, the courtyard opens up in front of you.
How to Get to Hanul lui Manuc
Hanul lui Manuc is on the edge of Piața Unirii, at the southern end of Bucharest’s Old Town. The closest metro is Piața Unirii. From the square, walk towards Strada Franceză and look for the inn’s arched entrance and hanging sign. You can also combine a meal with nearby Old Town sights such as Curtea Veche and Stavropoleos Monastery.
Coming by car, park around Piața Unirii and walk to the inn on Strada Franceză. The Old Town has pedestrian lanes, so don’t plan to drive up to the courtyard entrance. These six options are listed by amParcat, with their total capacities. The numbers are not live availability; check parking signs, payment rules and opening hours on arrival.
| Parking | Total Spots | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Bărăției Parking — Strada Bărăției | 33 | Get directions |
| Patriei Parking — Strada Patriei | 30 | Get directions |
| Panipat Parking — Strada Panipat | 11 | Get directions |
| Unirea Pasaj Parking — Piața Unirii, zona pasajului | 14 | Get directions |
| Unirea Panta Parking — Piața Unirii, zona rampei | 38 | Get directions |
| Magazin Unirea Parking — Magazin Unirea, Piața Unirii | 700 | Get directions |
[→ View all parking spots on the map]
The History of Hanu’ lui Manuc
The inn dates to the early 19th century. Its founder was Emanuel Mârzaian, an Armenian merchant and diplomat better known as Manuc Bey. The venue’s own history page traces the building to 1806; accounts give slightly different dates, so I’ve kept the timeline broad here.
An inn like this was more than a place to sleep. Merchants and travellers could stay, trade and eat around its central courtyard. The official history says peace negotiations took place here, and the Treaty of Bucharest was signed at the inn on 16 May 1812, ending the Russo-Ottoman War of 1806–1812.
The 1838 earthquake damaged the building, and after ownership changed hands, it was renovated in 1874 by Lambru Vasilescu and renamed the Grand Hotel Dacia. It became a commercial and cultural centre, with shops, businesses, institutions and travellers. The inn also hosted theatre performances and masked balls, while its rooms later became a meeting place for political figures before the First World War.
After a long restitution case that began in 1997, the property was returned to Constantin-Șerban Cantacuzino in 2007. The hotel, restaurant, wine cellar and summer garden were later restored. The courtyard remains at the centre of the complex, framed by wooden galleries and balconies looking down onto the tables below.
What the Courtyard Is Like
The first thing I noticed after entering was the contrast between the busy street and the open courtyard. Tall timber galleries and carved railings run along the upper levels, while the tables below sit under large umbrellas. The courtyard gives the restaurant its character, and the architecture is as much a reason to stop here as the meal.
In summer, the space draws a mix of visitors and people who work nearby. It is lively at lunch, when office workers come in for the set menu, and can feel busy around the tables. If you want a quieter meal, consider a time outside the lunch rush or call ahead to ask what the courtyard is like that day.
The restaurant also advertises an artistic programme. Events and music can vary, so check the current schedule if you’re planning an evening around it.
Some visitors say live music can make conversation difficult, so check the schedule or call ahead if you prefer a quieter meal. I only experienced the outdoor courtyard myself.
The Weekday Lunch Menu
Lunch is when Hanu’ lui Manuc feels especially busy. The weekday deal draws locals from nearby offices as well as tourists, and the courtyard gets particularly lively around midday in summer.
The restaurant’s official page currently lists weekday lunch menus at 40.9 lei and says they change at the beginning and middle of each month. The printed menu I photographed on my April 2026 visit showed 38.9 lei and said the offer ran Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 17:00. Treat that photo as a dated snapshot: the price and dishes have already changed since then.
The April menu offered either soup or a starter, a main course, a side and salad, or a main course with side, salad and dessert. If you chose the first option, dessert could be added for 14 lei.
That half-month’s choices included tomato cream soup with homemade croutons, meatball soup, pork stew, turkey meatballs, chicken with red pepper sauce, mackerel and sides such as polenta, rice or potatoes. The restaurant updates the offer regularly, so check its current lunch menu before you go.
What to Eat at Hanul lui Manuc
The regular menu brings together Romanian classics, grilled dishes and recipes from around the region. You’ll find sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls, usually served with polenta), mici (grilled minced-meat sausages), soups, bulz (polenta with cheese) and papanași, Romanian cottage-cheese doughnuts usually served with sour cream and jam.
There are larger dishes for sharing too, including Manuc’s platter and a caramelized lamb knuckle listed for two people. The restaurant’s English food menu also has vegetarian dishes such as rice with mushrooms and a chickpea-and-spinach stew. Check the current menu for ingredients and prices, and ask the staff if you have a dietary restriction.
The printed food menu in my photos is also from April 2026, so it’s best used to get a sense of the dishes rather than as a current price list.
Is Hanul lui Manuc Worth Visiting?
If you’re already exploring Bucharest Old Town and want to eat in a historic setting, Hanu’ lui Manuc is an easy stop to add to your route. The courtyard and galleries are the distinctive part of the experience; the menu gives you Romanian dishes as well as more familiar options.
I’d book ahead for a busy summer evening and decide whether you want an outdoor table before you arrive. For a quieter lunch, go outside the midday rush. If you’re looking for a meal where the surroundings are part of the reason to visit, this is one of Bucharest’s most memorable settings. If you would rather try a neighbourhood restaurant outside the Old Town, Restaurant Ceaun serves Romanian dishes in Sector 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Hanu’ lui Manuc or Hanul lui Manuc is the Romanian name; Manuc’s Inn is the English name for the historic inn and restaurant in Bucharest Old Town.
The restaurant’s official lunch page lists it at 40.9 lei when checked in October 2026. The menu photographed in April 2026 showed 38.9 lei, so check the current page for today’s price and dishes.
The printed menu photographed in April 2026 showed a weekday offer from 11:00 to 17:00. The menu changes twice a month, so confirm the current details with the restaurant before visiting.
A reservation is a good idea for summer evenings or if you have a specific seating area in mind. The restaurant lists +40 730 188 653 for bookings.
Yes. The restaurant has tables in its central courtyard. The terrace is especially popular in warm weather and at lunchtime.
Photo Gallery
