Global Staci

This is my third trip to build houses with The Fuller Center Romania in Cluj. It’s a local terrific team and a wonderful place to travel. You’ll be building in Jucu de Sus, a lovely and bucolic village outside of Cluj. I always want to spend more time in Romania and have done so on every visit. If you’d like to learn more, search Romania on this site and you’ll find all my posts!

For those who are volunteering or leading teams to Cluj, I hope you find this information useful. I’m updating my list of favorite restaurants, as you’ll be eating out every night. If Saturday is your arrival day and your team is staying at Hotel Univers T, I recommend you have your first team dinner at Marty in the Iulius Mall.

[PRO TIP: The mall sells just about everything you can imagine, including a pharmacy, a Starbucks, and has a large Super-Walmart-style store, Auchan, on the lower level.]

[PRO TIP: In warmer weather months, take a pedal boat out onto the lake, which is always a nice place to walk.]

This year I had a large group of 18 and some folks went to Salina Turda, which is fabulous, and others went to the Botanical Gardens. I’ve done both and, depending upon the weather and what you want to look at, they are even money options. After the morning excursions, we all met at Casa Dacilor, which while serving large portions of Romanian food, is not my favorite restaurant. It fits the bill if you end up there!

Monday after work we took our walking tour of Old Town Cluj, the pedestrian zone. Always a fun time! If it is raining, try to do it another day of the week or bring rain gear. You’ll end up walking right to dinner. If you didn’t eat at Marty in the Mall, there is one in Old Town. Otherwise after the walking tour try Toulouse, or Chez Guevera Social Pub.

On Wednesday we left Jucu an hour early and took a short drive to Bánffy Castle in Bonţida. The estate was owned and occupied by the Bánffy family from the 14th century until 1944, when it was placed under the stewardship of the Transylvania Trust which runs a program for students who want to learn about historic preservation.

Varying architectural styles include Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Neogothic styles. Among other events, Bánffy hosts the much loved 24-hour immersive music festival, Electric Castle. The epic 5-day festival attracts well over 250,000 enthusiastic music lovers and 250+ performers.

If you spend more time in Cluj…

I love to stay in the heart of town and love The Square Hotel, but recently came across Camino, and would be inclined to stay there on a future visit.

Although I’ve yet to go, the Romanian National Opera is in Cluj. If you can, score tickets. If you look far enough in advance it’s possible to go with your team. I would also like to one day tour the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.

It might not be everyone’s cup to tea, but I like The Museum of Pharmacy. Newly renovated and opened in 2024, an apothecary since 1573, the revitalized space showcases the rare heritage of history and health in Transylvania.

With nearly 100K university-aged students, the heart of the campus nightlife scene in Cluj is Piezișei Street. Booha Bar is fun for the young, and the young at heart.

Restaurants We Love in Cluj

Always ask your host coordinator to make reservations for you team. If you have a large team, consider pre-ordering, but in most cases, it’s not necessary.

All of these restaurants can accommodate a variety of dietary needs, with the exception of Samsara, which is entirely vegetarian and vegan and absolutely awesome! All of my carnivorous friends love it.

Marty— I like to use their location in the Iulius Mall as my first team dinner on the day of arrival. If you are at Hotel Univers T, it is a short walk and easy for everyone to find. They have a bunch of locations.

Toulouse—If the weather is nice, sit outside right on the main square.

Chez Guevera Social Pub—Another fun place with a great atmosphere right on the main square.

Casa Boema—Another fan favorite.

Zama—All around delish.

Samsara—Without a doubt, my personal favorite.

Vizuin—My team ate here on our last night together (in lieu of Restaurant Panoramic, which I do not recommend as it’s overpriced and the clientele can be a bit “stuffy”).

C’est la Vie—Exclusive rooftop restaurant, i.e. expensive, but worth it. May not be in your team budget, but if you have time try to score a reservation on your own.

La Nu Stiu Cine – Near the main square, the MOST delicious ice-cream-and-toppings-packed crepes.

Camino Cafe Cluj [Samuil Micu 6]—Associated with the Camino Boutique Hotel, it’s one of the best places for drinks and dessert.

Iconic Gardens—Not at all iconic but conveniently located across the parking lot from the Hotel Univers T is this beer garden on the lake. There’s a food truck with snacks, and in the morning if you need one more proper coffee drink before getting on the bus to Jucu, try Ukiyo coffee cart!

Next Stop: Slovakia