Punctuality is appreciated in professional settings
Avoid discussing politics unless asked
🏙️ Daily Life & Practical
Food, money, shopping, and everyday essentials
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Romanian Food Experience
Must-try dishes & dining guide
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🌟 Must-try Romanian dishes:
🥩 Mici (grilled meat rolls) - perfect with mustard
🍲 Ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) - hangover cure
🍩 Papanași (sweet doughnuts) - amazing dessert
🥃 Țuică/Pălincă (plum brandy) - traditional spirit
🥟 Sarmale (cabbage rolls) - Christmas special
🧀 Telemea cheese - Romanian feta alternative
🍖 Mititei - smaller version of mici, street food favorite
15-25 RON
18-30 RON
20-35 RON
8-15 RON
25-40 RON
10-20 RON
12-18 RON
🚫 Dietary Restrictions:
• Vegetarian options limited but growing
• "Vegetarian" = "vegetarian" in Romanian
• Many dishes contain pork - ask "Are carne de porc?"
🏪 Best Places Near ELI-NP
🍕 Pizza Hut Măgurele - International comfort food
🍔 McDonald's Plaza Romania - 15 min drive
🥘 Restaurant Pescăruș - Traditional Romanian cuisine
☕ Starbucks (multiple locations in Bucharest)
🛒 Kaufland/Carrefour - Groceries with international section
🍺 Berăria H - Craft beer and modern Romanian food
25-45 RON
20-35 RON
40-80 RON
15-25 RON
50-150 RON
35-65 RON
💡 Dining Etiquette:
• Tipping: 10-15% is standard
• Lunch: 12:00-14:00, Dinner: 19:00-21:00
• Many restaurants close between 15:00-17:00
📱 Food Delivery Apps
🛵 Glovo - Most popular, wide selection
🚗 Tazz by eMAG - Good prices, Romanian company
🍕 Foodpanda - International chains
🏪 Bringo - Grocery delivery from supermarkets
⏰ Delivery time: Usually 30-60 minutes
💳 Payment: Card, cash, or digital wallet
30-60 RON
25-55 RON
35-70 RON
100-300 RON
5-15 RON fee
0-5 RON fee
Meal Budget Calculator
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Money & Banking Guide
Currency, cards, and budget tips
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💱 Current Exchange Rate:
1 EUR ≈ 4.95 RON | 1 USD ≈ 4.55 RON | 1 GBP ≈ 5.65 RON
💳 Cards accepted almost everywhere (even small shops)
🏧 ATMs (called "Bancomat") widely available
📱 Contactless payments very common (up to 50 RON)
💵 Keep 50-100 RON cash for tips, parking, small vendors
🏪 Supermarkets, restaurants, taxis all accept cards
⚠️ Avoid currency exchange at airport (poor rates)
🏦 Banking Information
🕘 Banks open: Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00
🏧 ATM fees: Usually 2-5 RON for foreign cards
💳 Major cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro
📱 Mobile payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay widely accepted
🏪 Best exchange rates: BRD, BCR, ING Bank branches
💰 Daily ATM limit: Usually 2,000-3,000 RON
🏦 Major Banks:
• BRD (French) - Most ATMs
• BCR (Austrian) - Good English service
• ING Bank - Modern, digital-first
• Raiffeisen Bank - International presence
💸 Daily Budget Guide
Budget Breakdown (per day)
💰 Budget
🍽️ Meals: 40-60 RON
🚌 Transport: 10-20 RON
☕ Coffee: 8-12 RON
Total: ~60-90 RON
~€12-18 per day
🏨 Mid-Range
🍽️ Meals: 80-120 RON
🚗 Transport: 20-40 RON
🎭 Activities: 30-50 RON
Total: ~130-210 RON
~€26-42 per day
💎 Luxury
🍽️ Meals: 150-300 RON
🚗 Transport: 50-100 RON
🎭 Activities: 100-200 RON
Total: ~300-600 RON
~€60-120 per day
💡 Money-Saving Tips
Lunch menus (12-15h) are 30-50% cheaper
Supermarket meals: 15-25 RON vs restaurant 40-80 RON
Public transport day pass: 8 RON (unlimited rides)
Free WiFi everywhere - no need for expensive data plans
💡 Insider Tips & Hacks
Pro tips, technology, and local secrets
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Tech & Internet
WiFi, mobile data, apps
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🚀 Romania has some of the fastest internet in the world!
📶 Free WiFi: Most cafes, restaurants, malls, public transport