Baracca - Cluj-Napoca

I came to this place with really high expectations, but unfortunately it was not what I have expected. First of all, the overall experience was good, and the ambiance is definitely on the posh side. Everything feels profi, clean, good taste for interior design and overall ambiance. The plating is also 5*, minimalist with Michelin vibe. What was the turn off for me, and what should actually be the most important aspect, was the actual taste of the food. I would rate the food an overall 3*. The visual impact should make the food taste even better, but on this occasion it didn’t and the food was quite blunt. I don’t understand their mixes between ingredients and I think it is a very fine line between sweet food that can be served as a main, and weird combinations that don’t make sense. The foie gras felt like a desert. The fish had more foam than fish etc. I wish I would say to recommend it, but I wouldn’t go again…

Baracca is one of the long lasting fine dining restaurants in Cluj, with a nice and cozy location, that does not require a dress code. The staff were very professional and helpful during our stay. The food was quite good, but what we enjoyed the most were the starters and not the main dishes or dessert. We jad the Homemade Butter with Sourdough Bread which was great, and the Foie Gras plate where all the elements worked well together. Next we got the Cod, Pork Cheeks and Chicken dishes. They were all delicious, but nothing was wow aside from the creamy cheese polenta that accompanied the chicken. My partner is someone that usually hates polenta and he wanted to keep eating that : . For desserts, we had the Tiramisu, Apple Tart and Passion Fruit Ice Cream, which were pretty OK. Nothing special. We paired it all with some white wine, we tried a New Zeeland and an Italian wine. Overall we had a nice dinner, though we expected a bit more of a wow factor considering the location and the price.

Ok, so it was my first time here, so I decided to try their tasting menu so as to get a better idea about what they do best, but boy was I unprepared for what was to come! First of all I can not say what their best dish was, since everything was perfect. I can tell you that all the staff are true professionals, with deep live for their jobs, otherwise this level cannot be reached. Perfect ingredients put together using all the complex techniques, perfect wine pairing, tasteful desserts, even the bread and butter were something else... Cheers to the friendly and helpful staff that make this restaurant a staple of Cluj cuisine that has stood the test of time. And best wishes for a long and prosperous future. Till we meet again!!!!

Super nice experience, very tasty food and nice plating, a lot of flavors and textures. The potato textures was one of a kind, super delicious. But the wine selection could be improved. There were not so many options for Romanian wines.

I thing it's one of the very few places in Romania that deserves to be rated by Michelin. Hope they will be among the first, since the wait for a Michelin rated restaurant in Romania is long overdue. Try the tasting menu, you won't be disappointed! And the services are right there on top.