Interwar Bucharest was a vibrant city, where cultural and social life pulsed at every street corner. Cafés, restaurants, and summer gardens were true centers of bohemian life, places where artists, politicians, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens gathered to talk, have fun, and create stories that would remain in history. Among all these charming places, the Cireșica restaurant established itself as one of the most beloved venues, becoming a symbol of the interwar capital. 

The Garden of Cireșica – a refuge in the heart of the city

Located on Kogălniceanu Boulevard, at number 69, close to Cișmigiu and the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College, Cireșica attracted a diverse clientele over the years. Whether they were famous artists, actors from the Bulandra Theatre, politicians, or simple Bucharest residents looking for relaxation, everyone came here for the atmosphere, the music, and the delicious dishes.

One of the restaurant’s greatest assets was its garden. From the very entrance, visitors were charmed by the tall trees, whose dense leaves formed a natural canopy that sheltered customers from the scorching summer sun. The cool shade transformed the place into an ideal refuge, where people could forget for a few hours about the city’s bustle.

The tables were carefully arranged under the trees, and in the late evenings, the discreetly lit lamps created an intimate and romantic atmosphere, perfect both for serious conversations and for lighthearted jokes. Here, politics, literature, and daily gossip were debated, in a combination typical of the interwar Bucharest spirit.

Zavaidoc – the voice that made cireșica famous

If the food and the garden were undeniable attractions, the true magnet of the place was Zavaidoc, whose real name was Marin Teodorescu. A famous lăutar (traditional singer), with a unique voice and a remarkable stage presence, he turned the evenings at Cireșica into true performances.

It is said that the restaurant’s popularity became so great that tram drivers passing nearby would stop and shout to the passengers:

“Zavaidoc stop! Get off, folks, have some batoc fish and listen to Zavaidoc!”

This improvised announcement became an urban legend, and many Bucharest residents gave in to the temptation and got off to spend hours at the restaurant. Zavaidoc’s music, filled with passion and melancholy, blended perfectly with the cheerful atmosphere, turning every evening into an unforgettable experience.

The artists’ favorite place and their lively stories

The restaurant’s location next to the Bulandra Theatre made it a favorite haunt of actors. After rehearsals or performances, they would gather at Cireșica, convinced that they would always find good company and plenty of entertainment. 

Stories about their prolonged nights of fun have become legendary. Some were said to come “for a quick drink” but only left two days later, after continuous partying.

Everything was flavored with a specific humor. Wine was ordered “by corks”: each bottle came with its cork, which the customer kept. At the end of the evening, the waiter would count the corks and match them with the bottles, a simple yet memorable system.

To add to the fun, vodka was served in large water glasses, while water was poured into small vodka glasses, giving the impression that everyone was only drinking water when in fact the party was in full swing.

The menu of Cireșica and its hidden secrets

The restaurant’s iconic dish was batoc fish, a tasty specialty that became synonymous with visits to Cireșica. Alongside it, Bucharest residents delighted in refined desserts, with the freshly made amandine cakes being the most popular.

But these seemingly innocent pastries hid a mysterious story. Rumor had it that behind the restaurant operated a discreet brothel, and the password for access was “a fresh amandină.” Whoever ordered this special dessert was, in fact, asking for entry into another kind of entertainment, reserved for loyal clients. This secret practice fueled the urban mythology surrounding the place but also contributed to its controversial reputation.

The decline and end of a legend

Legend has it that a suspicious fire destroyed the restaurant, allegedly set at the order of a colonel whose child had been involved in the clandestine activities at Cireșica. The fire marked the beginning of the end for the restaurant, which never regained its former glory.

In later decades, attempts were made to revive Cireșica. At one point, the venue was put up for sale and later reopened after renovations in a modern style. However, the authentic atmosphere, the charm of the garden, and the magic of Zavaidoc’s nights could not be recreated. The only thing preserved was the name, but it no longer carried the emotions of the interwar years.

Cireșica, between memory and legend

Today, Cireșica exists only in the stories of those who lived through Bucharest’s interwar golden age. For many, it remains a symbol of entertainment, bohemian life, and the lively spirit of the capital during the period between the two world wars.

Cireșica was not just a restaurant, but a part of the city’s cultural identity. Here, elites and ordinary people met, music blended with laughter, and the parties seemed endless. Even though the walls have disappeared, the stories of “wine by corks,” the mysterious amandine cakes, and Zavaidoc’s voice still circulate, keeping alive the memory of a unique place.

The unrepeatable charm of interwar bucharest

Cireșica remains one of the most beautiful chapters in the history of interwar Bucharest. Its shady garden, delicious dishes, endless parties, and Zavaidoc’s music turned this restaurant into a landmark of social and cultural life in that era.

Today, to recall Cireșica is to recall a cosmopolitan, joyful, and charming city, where people knew how to enjoy life, blend art with entertainment, and create unforgettable memories. Although time erased its building and garden, the legend remains, carried forward by the nostalgia of those who know that, at Cireșica, Bucharest seemed to live more intensely than anywhere else.

We also recommend: Fialkowsky Café, the decadent hangout of pre-war Bucharest where actors came to savor “wine mixed with witty words”