About
History
Small Han By The Road
For a modest road eatery, Kokalyansko Hanche, or Hancheto as everybody knows it, has a surprisingly rich history. Established in 1916, the restaurant is a living testament to culinary heritage and timeless hospitality. Back in the days the nearby road was busy. Travelers stopped, asked local for food and the restaurant was born. ‘Han’ was Bulgaria’s word for inn or tavern and Kokalyane is the closest village thus Kokalyansko Hanche, small han next to Kokalyane. Hancheto has endured through wars, shifts in political regimes, and multiple ownership changes. It is truly remarkable that this very spot has hosted a restaurant for over a hundred years, and we are honored to carry forward this legacy.
Family Business
Our Story And How It All Started
Kokalyansko Hanche is a small family business. We had no restaurant experience. Initially, we ran a bakery by the lake, but due to a change of ownership and high rent, we had to look for a new direction. The restaurant was closed, it had not been operating for a long time, but we liked the place and decided to restore it, offering the homemade dishes that we knew best. We have been running the restaurant for more than 20 years. It has been a long time. The restaurant business and trends have changed, but it became clear that traditional Bulgarian cuisine will always be in demand. We experimented with modern salads, game meat, exotic dishes, but customers preferred classic dishes – grill, traditional dishes, soups, salads. Over time, we focused entirely on traditional Bulgarian cuisine, a lunch menu and seasonal specialties.
Hancheto has always been and will continue to be an affordable restaurant. We believe in reasonable prices, based primarily on the costs of products, overhead and staff. We do not offer gourmet or avant-garde cuisine, but traditional, Bulgarian. Sourcing quality products at reasonable prices is a rarity. It is becoming increasingly difficult, but we remain committed to this, working with trusted suppliers of meat, dairy products and vegetables in season. We warmly invite you to join us for lunch or dinner, whether with family, colleagues or friends, any day of the year, 365 days a year.
Culinary Heritage
Our Customers' Wish
What was the Bulgarian Cuisine back in 1916? Do we prepare the dishes the same way today as they were in 1916? What recipes are handed down through generations? What’s authentic flavoring these days? What’s modern Bulgarian Cuisine? What are Bulgaria’s today signature dishes?
There are so many questions related to Bulgarian Culinary Heritage and we are thankful to all our customers for their recipes, recommendations, and ideas that shape the future of the restaurant.