Cool Cluj #new #places in #town

I remember my first visit in Cluj (OK, my first as an adult) a couple of years ago: a pretty town with some retro cafes, a bohemian atmosphere and a lot of bookstores where I got lost for hours. Today, Cluj is the most amazing city in Romania, I swear! Bucharest is nice&vibrant, but Cluj is cosy and friendly, as a plus. There are some many places newley opened in Cluj that I would need an entire book to mention them. You could find here nice restaurants, cool bars, fresh terraces and interesting cafes. So, let’s get the story short and look at my list of things to try in Cluj.

Must go: on a visit to Fabrica de Pensule (Paintbrush Factory), an artistic hub that connects a lot of projects, installation, design and events. See the latest events on http://fabricadepensule.ro. After that, stop for a beer at Boiler Club (with a nice design that uses parts of industrial machinery, posters and work stands recovered from the former factory).

Must try: the Gerovital products (Ana Aslan is a very well known brand) – the company headquarter is right here, in Cluj, and you can find a huge store with good products (55 Bucuresti Street).

Local touch: try a desert or an icecream at Napolact store (this is one of the oldest brands in Romania, and their icecreams taste like childhood).

Must buy: a dress from one of the most creative Romanian designers, Lucian Broscatean (lucianbroscatean.ro) or an incredible scarf with delicate illustrations from Agnes Keszeg (keszegagnes.com).

Must put on the list: Bánffy Castle, the place to be every summer. Because the most amazing music festival takes place there (in 2015, Parov Stellar, Ellen Allien, Nouvelle Vague, Prodigy were the protagonists). www.electriccastle.ro

Must eat: at Casa Via (www.viarestaurant.ro), Baracca (www.baracca.ro), Nuka, Bistro Viena (www.bistroviena.ro), Mint Bistro, Cafe Papillon, Cabinet de Vin & Cocotte (cabinet.restaurant), Terasa Ragaz and the list must go on…

Pics: facebook of mentioned places (Baracca, Mint Bistro, Cabinet de Vin & Cocotte, Cafe Papillon), www.dreamingof.net