Blagoevgrad's restaurant scene is driven by the student population from AUBG and South-West University, which means a good range of affordable options around the pedestrian centre. Bulgarian cuisine — grilled meats, shopska salad, banitsa, and dishes from the Pirin mountain tradition — is the default. Prices are among the lowest in Bulgaria.
The pedestrian street (Makedonia Boulevard) and the surrounding streets have the highest concentration of restaurants and cafés. Traditional Bulgarian mehanas (taverns) offer grilled meats, village bread, and local wine or rakia in unpretentious settings. The Varosha quarter has a handful of more atmospheric spots for lunch.
Look for kapama on menus around here — a slow-cooked Pirin mountain dish of pork, sauerkraut, and sausage baked together in a clay pot with rice and spices, traditionally served at celebrations. It's hearty and regional, and better in Blagoevgrad than most other places in Bulgaria.