"Sibiu's most atmospheric old-town table: chef-patron Marius Rafa's Italian bistro on Strada Cetatii, a vintage room of repurposed sewing-machine tables, handmade pasta and a signature salmon, ranked among the city's top tables on Tripadvisor."
About Pardon
Pardon Cafe & Bistro sits on Strada Cetatii, one of the prettiest streets in the old town of Sibiu, across from the Thalia concert hall. It is led by chef-patron Marius Rafa, whose name guests return for, and the room is a vintage set piece: tables built from old sewing machines, each named after a European city, with sheet music across the ceiling. It rates 4.4 out of 5 across nearly a thousand reviews and ranks among the top tables in the city on Tripadvisor.
For the wider field see the Sibiu dining guide.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is Italian-leaning bistro cooking with Romanian wines alongside: handmade pasta and spaghetti, frutti di mare and seafood, and a signature salmon fillet finished with zucchini, pepper and lemon. The dessert case of fruit and chocolate tortes is part of the draw. The cooking is unfussy and produce-led rather than showy.
See more of the city's notable tables in the Sibiu guide.
The Room
The room is the signature: repurposed sewing-machine tables named after European cities, a ceiling papered in sheet music, and old-world objects across the walls, with outdoor seating on Strada Cetatii in season. It suits a first date or a small celebration as easily as a long table for a group, and the old-town setting fills on weekends, so book ahead.
What to Order
Order the handmade pasta or the frutti di mare, the signature salmon fillet, and a fruit or chocolate torte to finish, with a Romanian wine from the list. Pardon sits in the upper-middle price tier for Sibiu, and regulars note the cooking runs a little above the local average for good reason. For other options, see the notable tables across Sibiu.
Best for a First Date or a Celebration
Pardon suits a first date or a small celebration: a vintage old-town room where the setting does as much work as the kitchen. See more first-date tables and the Sibiu dining guide.
Not for
Not for a quick coffee-and-go or a budget canteen meal: Pardon is a sit-down old-town bistro where the kitchen and the wine list are the point, with prices a little above the Sibiu average.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Pardon Cafe & Bistro in Sibiu?
Pardon Cafe & Bistro is led by chef-patron Marius Rafa, whom regulars name as the reason they return. The kitchen leans Italian, with handmade pasta, frutti di mare and a signature salmon fillet, served alongside Romanian wines. The restaurant sits on Strada Cetatii in the old town and rates 4.4 out of 5 across nearly a thousand reviews.
Where is Pardon Cafe & Bistro located?
Pardon Cafe & Bistro is at Strada Cetatii 14 in the old town of Sibiu, Romania, across from the Thalia concert hall and a short walk from the main squares. It is a vintage-styled room with tables made from old sewing machines and a ceiling papered in sheet music, with outdoor seating on the street in season. It is open daily into the evening.
What should I order at Pardon Cafe & Bistro?
Order the handmade pasta or the frutti di mare, the signature salmon fillet finished with zucchini, pepper and lemon, and one of the fruit or chocolate tortes to finish, with a Romanian wine from the list. Pardon sits in the upper-middle price tier for Sibiu, and regulars note the cooking runs a little above the local average for the quality.
What is Pardon Cafe & Bistro known for?
Pardon is known as much for its room as its food: tables built from old sewing machines and named after European cities, a ceiling covered in sheet music, and a vintage, story-filled setting on one of Sibiu's prettiest old-town streets. On the plate it is known for handmade pasta and a signature salmon fillet, and it ranks among the top-rated tables in the city on Tripadvisor.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Pardon
Via pardoncafesibiu.ro - Old Town
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Practical Information
AddressStrada Cetatii 14, Sibiu 550160
NeighbourhoodOld Town
CuisineItalian bistro
SignatureSalmon fillet; handmade pasta
PriceUpper-middle tier ($$-$$$)
Chef-patronMarius Rafa
RecognitionAmong Sibiu's top-rated tables, Tripadvisor (2026)
