Updated: 18 October 2026
The cooking around Sighisoara blends Saxon, Hungarian and Romanian traditions: hearty, home-made dishes made for long meals. If you want to eat local, look for cabbage rolls (sarmale), goulash, oven roasts and traditional cakes such as the Saxon Hanklich.
The Saxon heritage
The Saxons left distinctive recipes in the area, among them Hanklich, a sweet festive pastry, and smoked-meat dishes preserved for the long winters. Many still appear today in the citadel's restaurants.
This heritage is part of Sighisoara's identity, a town recognised by UNESCO precisely for the culture of the Transylvanian Saxons.
Transylvania, between several cuisines
Besides the Saxon dishes, you'll find goulash of Hungarian influence, cabbage rolls with polenta and home-made cakes. It's a generous cuisine, well suited to a day of walking through the citadel.
For specific places, see our guide to where to eat in Sighisoara.
A taste of the holidays, at the festival and beyond
In summer, at the Medieval Festival, dishes cooked as in the Middle Ages appear over open fire, among the craftspeople. It's a good chance to taste tradition in its natural setting.
Make Casa Roșca your base and discover the local cooking at leisure. Book on Booking.
Frequently asked questions
What traditional food is eaten around Sighisoara?
Saxon, Hungarian and Romanian dishes: Hanklich, goulash, cabbage rolls with polenta, oven roasts and home-made cakes.
What is Hanklich?
A traditional Saxon sweet pastry, usually made for festive days — one of the culinary legacies of the Transylvanian Saxons.
Where can I taste traditional food in Sighisoara?
In the restaurants with Saxon and Transylvanian cooking in the citadel, and in summer at the Medieval Festival, where food is cooked as in the Middle Ages.
Want to stay right here, by the citadel? Casa Roșca Boutique is at Strada Zaharia Boiu 48, in Sighișoara, about a 15-minute walk from the medieval citadel. Check availability and rates on Booking.com, call +40 720 449 795 or message us on WhatsApp.