We went to Transilvania for my son's birthday with my parents this year. My son was looking forward to trying Hungarian paprikash, only because it was mentioned in the book Dracula lol. He was not dissapointed. The rest of us got a burger, Hungarian sausage, a panini, and steak. Our waitress was very pleasant and I was impressed with her creepy contacts lol. We'd told her it was Alex's birthday, and were surprised to see his birthday dessert come out on fire - with 2 donut people impaled by sticks and oozing strawberry jam. It was very cool. I got an espresso creme brulee and my parents shared pistachio cheesecake. Everything was delicious. Not to mention the vibe in the restaurant was very relaxed while slightly eerie. The decorations were very appropriate for Transilvania. Its a little bit of a drive for us, but I'm looking forward to going back soon read more

See all

Came here for the first time with a very spooky eerie vibes. Of course, we had to a take a picture with the skeleton Definitely check this place out. We got Draculas Kiss, the garlic Parmesan and Jerk chicken wings with a chicken panini I will say the ambience a little better than the food, but it's definitely a place to check out read more

See all

We went to Cafe Transilvania because we saw they were doing a Halloween theme. They did a fantastic job decorating inside and out for the season! The food was good I got the Hell's Burger and the brisket flatbread. The Hellberg was cooked perfectly and had the right amount of spice. The brisket flatbread had an OK amount of brisket and the sauce on the flatbread was a nice tangy chipotle sauce. The theme drinks were very good We got the Dracula's blood and Dracula kiss. I would stay away from the old fashioned. It had a way too much ice and didn't really take like a taste like a classic old fashioned. read more

See all

What a fun festive restaurant! It is Halloween inspired so make sure you make a reservation during the holiday season! This place was packed with people and fun. The decor was amazing both outside and in. I was mesmerized with all the cool stuff they had while we waited for our table. This Romania restaurant also has such a unique menu but still served favorites such as chicken wings and a fried mozzarella which we ordered for appetizers. I also tried the Dracula drink that was aesthetically pleasing and even had Dracula's teeth in the glass. My favorite part was dessert. We tried the Vlad the Impaler which was 2 donuts shaped as people on sticks with a strawberry jam sauce that was on fire and it was to die for! This place was such a blast. read more

See all

We went here yesterday it was fabulous. I had vampires blood martini , black cherry margarita, cheese app, mushroom soup and meatballs all very good but the real treat was the staff Kristen, Luca, and Hermes they were such a treat they worked so well together never stressed and so accommodating. I will go back definitely and soon. There's an awesome gift shop as well!! This is a must . read more

See all

If I could leave a review and leave, no stars, I would definitely this was my second visit to this restaurant and to say I was disappointed. It's very heartbreaking since the first time everything was so fabulous from the service to the food this time the service was subpar, and the food was absolutely disgusting while we were eating a spider actually crawled across the table. My husband tried to swish it away, and it fell on his leg crawl down the table. I had ordered the stuffed cabbage, which was very sour tasting came with a base of polenta that was like glue barely warm. The stuffed cabbage were very skinny and hard, barely warm. My husband had the Wiener schnitzel which is fried cutlets that were mushy and cold. I ordered the cucumber salad which traditionally is served very thinly sliced with the vinegar garlic, semi sweet sour sauce. The cucumbers were very thick and hard really had no flavor halfway through our meal. We ordered the crêpes which is Hungarian/Romanian staple and after 15 minutes the waitress came back and told me that they don't have any and it would be an additional 30 minutes if I wanted to wait we drove from Stratford to this restaurant so it was a good 30 minute ride was very disappointing, especially since my husband is Hungarian and it was his first visit. The reason I'm leaving this review as I want them to do better because I want to be able to enjoy this food so close to my home since usually we only get this cuisine when we travel to Europe I also think some of the decorations are very hardy and dirty. There was actual cobwebs hanging from some of the skeletons in the room that we were eating in, they had karaoke night. The music was way too loud and I watched the waitress flip a tablecloth over instead of changing it that begs the question what else do they do that you don't see the menus were sticky and stuck with stuff when I mentioned it to my server she said oh sorry the table we sat at was covered with crumbs and was very sticky to the touch. There was a table runner that was covered with crumbs, which explains the spider so let's do better next time. The outside entrance of the restaurant was very overgrown with weeds and trees. That really could use a trim. Some attention should be paid to the outside decor as well as the interior decor. The focus should be more on the food not so much on gawdy decor! read more

Cafe Transilvania in East Haven is worth the trip from anywhere. Located in an old mill, the ambiance is cozy and the service is very friendly. The owner helps serve and tries to say "hello" to everyone. The food is delicious. Try the traditional stew or the goulash. The tripe soup and the paprikas are also very good. For desert, the cheese filled donuts with jam are wonderful. Everything tastes homemade--great comfort food for a winter's night or anytime really. This is not a cookie cutter restaurant. If you are looking for something different with lots of old world charm, this is the place. read more

Great atmosphere and decorations for Halloween. Food was quite good (Wiener Schnitzel) as were the drinks. Owners were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Definitely would recommend for a fun evening. read more

Really cool themed restaurant with a very nice menu. It includes traditional American appetizers , in addition to Hungarian dishes. Service is also excellent. Started with some apps; stuffed mushrooms, fried vegetables and a fried cheese, fruit dish. For mains we had stuffed cabbage, Wiener schnitzel, and paprikash. Nice cocktails too! read more

Cafe Transilvania is fun, affordable, and offers something for everyone. We came eager to try the Romanian food and wine and really enjoyed the stuffed cabbage (me) and Hungarian Paprikash (my husband). Both were outstanding! We also loved the flaming donut dessert that our server recommended. It also has a lively bar scene with many people watching college football and lots of people enjoying the kitschy and fun Halloween decor, some of which I'm guessing can be enjoyed year-round. What a fun, unusual spot! read more

Cafe Transilvania - Exterior - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

See all

Transilvania Restaurant Bar, formerly known as Cafe Transilvania of Fairfield, has finally re-opened their doors in their new & larger location on the Branford/East Haven border and I couldn't be more thrilled! Their menu boasts fresh housemade Romanian eats prepared daily that also features dishes/small bites of Hungarian, Ukranian and Caribbean dishes. They've fused the foods of their culture and that of the cultures that have inspired them expertly with dishes that are memorable, delicious, flavorful and of high quality. I love a spot where you can enjoy traditional authentic dishes while also being able to sample foods of the Chefs personal creativity, and you get all of that here. They also have an extensive drink menu which includes everything from mocktails to flavored hard seltzers and a big screen TV over the bar so you can enjoy whatever sport thing is going on! The venue has a fun and historic vibe, featuring Dracula photos and tid bits of his history throughout the restaurant. Have an instagrammable moment on Draculas throne beneath the red drapes or on their outdoor patios or lot with the gorgeous creek and stone Bridge behind you. Chris and Alina also happen to be the most hospitable people you'll meet and are incredibly good human beings. They enjoy so much meeting new people and sharing their culture and food with them! Transilvania Restaurant is a one of a kind restaurant in the Connecticut food scene and a must stop for any foodie or person who enjoys great food! read more

See all

This is our latest go-to restaurant. Though not a glitzy one, the food is consistently good, the portions are generous, the drinks are excellent (try their Romanian wine, on the very fruity side, just the way I like it) and, let's face it, the only Romanian restaurant around. We had the schnitzel - done to perfection. The mamaliga (Romanian version of polenta) which was good but way too big a portion for one person so get it to share. The steak was fabulous and the veggies were done right. Vlad the impeller (dessert) is nothing but a doughnut. Ours was not the best. The Service deserves FIVE STARS. Starting with the maitre d' who made us feel welcomed and at home to the waitress who managed to balance being professional. (European style) and friendly at the same time. The restaurant has at least two sections, the bar area and the dining room area. We noted a third room where a party was being held. The restaurant building comes with an interesting history, it was a mill it is a truly old building reminiscent of old road-side restaurants of the 1940s and 1950s. The running stream that operated the old mill can be seen through the windows in the main dining room. Finally, this place is easy on easy off I 95. Plenty of parking. read more

Great food and pleasant staff. A good dining experience. Really nice environment. The history of the building is very interesting too.

This is a very nice historical type restaurant, with good food, a very fun and distinctive historical building that itself is worth visiting, nice people, and overall very fun and pleasant. The mushroom soup is excellent, the cole slaw is excellent, the "signature" Romanian sausages - also excellent. Very nice place ! read more

Cafe Transilvania - Yes, I am actually 3/4 Transylvanian. - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

A fun experience !! Food & ambiance are so unique. What a great local gem. Great service and the owners are just so sweet. read more

See all

Had the most wonderful experience here last night. The decor was fun and different than what we've become accustomed to from area restaurants. I had the three cheese risotto balls as and appetizer and they were perfect. Crispy exterior with a nice creamy risotto center. What really set the restaurant apart was that for my entree I ordered the Melanzanna sandwich but after taking our order, our server found that they were out of it, which wouldn't have been a big deal since there were a number of vegetarian options available. However, rather than just simply coming back out to tell me this, the owner came to our table, apologized and said she would have the chef make me a vegetarian dish that she enjoys. That extra level of service impressed me as much as the food did and I can't wait to go back. read more

Cafe Transilvania - Polenta with sharp Romanian cheese, grilled vegetables topped with eggs and sour cream. - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

I love the view of the river,while dining. However I love the food even more. This amazing restaurant with Romanian specific cuisine is the place where you can taste the real flavors of Romanian foods , read more

Cafe Transilvania - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

I've been here twice now, and I'll definitely be back. The food is homemade and delicious, and the owners offer real kindness and hospitality. On my first visit, a group of travellers was there eating lunch, and the tiny place was packed. This made me think the food must be authentic, and I settled in to eat outside. I ordered the rustic mushrooms appetizer and the Hungarian paprikash. Both were very good, but a little under-salted. Still, everything was fresh, and somehow the food got out to me quickly despite the huge crowd. I especially enjoyed the seasoned fried mushrooms. I ordered the papanasi with a cappuccino for desert -- both were great. On the second visit, I got the stuffed cabbage. This was delicious, just very well-seasoned and flavorful. The owner remembered me and was very kind. It's a small, comfortable place with simple, well-made food. read more

See all

Wonderful restaurant! My husband and I were looking for something new and we came here. The food is absolutely delicious and the ambiance is so pleasant. It feels like you are in Romania! The waitstaff was very attentive with a sense of humor. We will definitely be back soon! read more

The food, service, everything is so good. The owner should be ever proud of herself. It is the place to go to if you're a foodie.

Food was good. The kids really enjoyed it. And service was very pleasant. The ambience was definitely something to take in. But surprisingly attractive. Will I go again yes. Really interested in the other dishes that are offered. read more

See all

Today, I ordered from left to right. Three Cheese Risotto Balls ($9.50) 4/10. Rustic Mushrooms ($7.99) 7/10. I enjoyed these very large white button mushrooms. Sauce for both was very flavorful. Hungarian Paprikash ($14.99) . 10/10 So, delicious. My favorite so far. Stuffed Cabbage plate ($13.99). 8/10. Meat to rice ratio in this batch was to much meat for me 70/30. Good flavors thought. The grilled homemade bacon has such a nice smoky grilled taste. All in all great meal. As, a BONUS, we received 2 complimentary chocolate bars. Milk chocolate with a liquor filling I think . read more

Cafe Transilvania - A plate with a little bit of everything today. - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

See all

The only thing this place has going for it is the decor and service which are great. But the food... ugh! I had a hamburger which had been deep fried (so the french fries were awesome!!) , the goulash was ??!, my friends sandwich has pork in it which had also been deep fried & our appetizer meat balls tasted like the ones from IKEA, also fried with Kraft 1000 island dressing!! Pretty much a joke (we had great company though) read more

I had been looking forward to trying Café Transilvania since it opened in East Haven, and I am already looking forward to returning. The restaurant is focused on Romanian/Eastern European cuisine and decorated in theme. There is plenty of fun and historic décor featuring photos of and the history of Dracula. With an abundance of dark wood, traditional music, and décor it feels as if you are transported to old world Europe. The space is deceivingly large, with a bar area, large dining room, and another room that looks like it can be used for special events/private parties. The menu offers a large selection of authentic Romanian/Eastern European dishes as well as a selection of options for American dishes. I ordered the stuffed cabbage filled with pork and rice and it was served over polenta with a side of sour cream. The dish was flavorful and delicious, and I plan to order it again, of course after trying many of the other entrees that sounded amazing! The dessert menu offered a selection, including traditional Romanian treats. I ordered the crepes stuffed with Nutella and coconut flakes. However, I was surprised with the length of time it took before it made it to our table. Our waitress was friendly and attentive throughout the dining experience and very apologetic for the wait on the dessert. Luckily, the crepes did not leave us disappointed! I would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a unique dining experience with great food! read more

Cafe Transilvania - Crepes - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

See all

Traveling for a youth hockey game and came across this gem. We love the theming but may love the food more. The chicken nachos went over really well and my picky eater kid said they were the best chicken tenders she's had at a restaurant. read more

I went to Transylvania restaurant last night with three friends for dinner and was looking forward to something different. I was not disappointed!! The food was delicious and the presentation was fantastic! The staff is warm and friendly and I was pleased that they had both Eastern European food on the menu which I love as well as American which my picky dinner companions also found delicious! I will definitely return to this restaurant! The unique experience should be tried by all! read more

Great service and ambience in the large room for a celebration of life. Garlic shrimp app was a winner as well as the polenta under the stuffed cabbage. Yum! read more

I have driven by this place a million times and never noticed it. It's just across from Twin Pines diner. What a gem!! I've been there three times in the last few months. The food is amazing. I'm hard to please and have enjoyed every meal. My first visit I had Hungarian beef Goulash. Like a more refined beef stew with interesting and more complex flavors. Comfort food at its finest! (I think they caught me sweeping the plate dry with my bread ). My husband and I also shared stuffed cabbage with polenta which was awesome also. Next time I had Chicken Paprikash with homemade spaetzle. So so yummy! Even my granddaughter loved it. The first time my grandkids had some kid menu faves, grilled cheese and Mac n cheese. They were brave to try some new dishes time. Next time my Mother in law and I had their brunch. We opted for the big breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon and sausage and home fries. Perfect. For desert we tried a dessert that is served with a nice dollop of dark humor. I can't tell, I'll ruin the surprise. It's a dessert I'll never forget. Lol The inside is nicely done Romanian decor with a fun whimsical edge given the name Transylvania :). It's in an old historic mill donor has a warm rustic feel. The service was friendly and attentive and our waitress helped us with recommendations as we wanted to try try some traditional dishes. The owners are lovely and made us feel so welcome. This will be a regular spot for us! Give it a go, you won't regret it. Enjoy! Getting hungry just typing this. :) read more

See all

Being half Polish and familiar with Eastern European food, I was really excited to come try Cafe Transilvania after hearing great things about it. This casual cafe is a great spot with authentic Romanian dishes and nods to Romanian culture, including an underlying vampire theme. One of my favorite things that I had was the eggplant bruschetta spread, which was so flavorful and made on fresh bread straight from New York. We loved the potato salad special and the Hungarian Paprikash. I was really curious to see how their stuffed cabbage compared to the traditional Polish golabki I've had, and it definitely passed my test! The bloody hot chocolate and bloody coffee with rum were both a really unique touch to the menu to fit the vampire theme. Cafe Transilvania even has snacks imported from Romania for sale, and it's a cool spot to get immersed in the culture. They offer a great variety of American dishes and healthy options, as well as breakfast all day. I definitely see myself coming back, and I'll be sure to get another order of Papanasi for dessert too! read more

See all

Yeah went there for goulash one day but they said they were out of goulash. The other food we be ordered was just ok.

Stopped by for a bite to eat. Had the Cafe T burger. Look at this masterpiece. Organic beef patty, American cheese, sautéed mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, a fried egg, cilantro aioli on a toasted bun! Superb is an understatement. This is simply delicious. read more

Cafe Transilvania - Cafe T Burger! In full effect - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

See all

What a great place staffed with friendly folks - the owners. We stopped by tonight but for dessert only - Nutella donuts and Traditional Papanasi - homemade, freshly cooked and hot! The Nutella donuts were awesome, topped with cinnamon sugar. The quick fry made the Nutella inside warm and luscious. A small side of whipped cream with included. The papanasi were hand formed round donuts in the traditional manner with the hole cut out and set on top so it looked like a hat. Also, freshly cooked and hot. The papanasi included two sides - berry jelly and sour cream. A spoonful of each on the papanasi was heavenly. Menu looks interesting. Romanian sausage, stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash and lots of other stuff. We will be back for sure! read more

Drove from NYC to this amazing restaurant and enjoyed delicious traditional Romanian food like Meatballs soup (ciorba de perioare), Smoked meat & potatoes soup & skinless sausages (mici). The place is spotless clean and everyone is extremely polite & friendly. The owner, Alina greeted us and made us feel like home. She was very kind to my naughty children who were all over the place after a long drive from Queens, NY. We will return very soon since I am already craving some more of their delicious food! read more

Cafe Transilvania - Meatballs soup - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

See all

The best romanian food outside of Romania. Very friendly people and a great atmosphere. Good romanian wine selection. And same some room for the desert, it's totally worth it. read more

See all

I just love romanian food. This place has everything you need to feel like home. Alina is super friendly. We definitely will stop when we are in the neighborhood again. Thanks again, Izabella&Elod read more

See all

Very friendly staff in a pleasing atmosphere. It's way overpriced and I wouldn't recommend the sausage. The fried cheese appetizer was virtually tasteless. Probably won't go back. read more

Newly opened family business and the food and service is amazing!!! Everything was literally so delicious, and we got: rustic mushrooms, baked cascaval cheese, ropa vieja, a grilled chicken sweet potato bowl, and THEIR TRUFFLE FRIES are top 3 fries anywhere in CT. Also had the traditional donuts for dessert. I definitely intend to try the homemade spaetzle, the stuffed cabbage, the burger, and I see they do breakfast! Def need to try a bacon egg cheese as well. Highly recommended, I am gonna make Cafe Transilvania a regular takeout spot!!! read more

Cafe Transilvania - Rustic mushrooms and baked cascaval cheese, sooo yummy!! - Modern European Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

After reading reviews and trying to find something different for our little weekend getaway, we ended up here! Hands down the best decision we have made on our little beach weekend. We ordered the Tripe soup, meatball soup, chicken paprikash and the traditional stew. We also picked up some different beverages from their cooler and some "candy bars" that are imported as we always love trying all the new things. The man who took our order was very friendly and understanding of our wanting to take our time picking out our food order. We did take everything to go as the establishment does not have air conditioning and we happened to go on a 95° day and I can't sit outside with hot food eating. We sat in the car while waiting for our food to be ready. When I went in there was also a woman behind the counter at this point who I can only figure is the owner, she was so nice and friendly as well. Getting in the car instantly it filled with an amazing aroma of the food. Back at our hotel we eagerly jumped to opening everything. The tripe soup is a butter cream heavy style but beautiful taste. The meatball soup was not to my taste so I took the meatballs out and added them to the chicken paprikash because the sauce is phenomenal. The spaetzle that accompanied the chicken was the perfect flavor and consistency as well. The traditional stew was sooooo good as well with the sausages and the pork, polenta and sauce mmmm. They included a poppy seed hard roll as the bread to accompany and it was very soft and the perfect partner for the sauces in each dish. We would completely go again when in the area and wish we had something like this in Danbury. read more

The food was so-so and some of it was cold, and what was a Ruben and a Cuban sandwich doing in an ethnic restaurant.

I really like this place. People are friendly and the food is really good. It's a mix of American and Rumanian fare (sometimes a puzzling mix) which allows everyone some options. Thus I can be excited to find Spätzle and my beloved can get a veggie wrap. read more