Buying food in Cluj
- SUPERMARKETS
There are several supermarket chains in Cluj Napoca. In each of them you can find national products, imported products and products made by the same supermarket chain. To access their opening hours, their location and the different products they offer, you can access their websites:
- Carrefour: https://carrefour.ro/
- Cora: https://carrefour.ro/
- Homegarden: https://homegarden.ro/
- Kaufland: https://www.kaufland.ro/
- Lidl: https://www.lidl.ro/
- Mega Image: https://www.mega-image.ro/
- Profi: https://www.profi.ro/
- Penny: https://www.penny.ro/
- Supeco: https://www.supeco.ro/
- Made in Cluj: https://madeincluj.ro/
The payment method in each of them can be with cash, or electronically, it means, with your bank card or with your phone.
If you are in a hurry or do not want to make a line, you can choose the “Casa Rapida” or “Casa Express” option that some supermarkets offer, which is a system where you scan the products yourself and can pay for them with cash or electronically. If you are not used to this form of payment, don’t worry, there will always be someone to help you.
Keep in mind that when you are at the cash register, the cashier will ask you if you want a plastic bag for your purchases: “Pungă?”, “Doriți pungă?”. If you say yes, you will be charged a small tax.
Also in all supermarkets, fruits and vegetables are sold by weight. Some of them are sold by unit. Near the products you will find plastic bags that you can use for your purchases. For each plastic bag you use, you will be charged a small tax at the cash register.
If you plan to make large purchases and need a shopping cart, don’t forget to bring coins with you. Shopping carts operate on a “coin lock” system; in order to use a shopping cart you will need a 50 BANI coin.
- LOCAL MARKET
In Cluj Napoca there are different local markets (piețe locale), where you can find different agricultural products, local fruits and vegetables. Their addresses and their opening hours are:
- Piața Ion Meșter: Strada Ion Meșter 5, from 06:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 07:00 to 13:00
- Piața Agroalimentară Hermes: Strada Albac, from 06:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 07:00 to 14:00
- Piața Agroalimentară Mercur: Strada Aleea Detunata, from 06:00 to 22:00, weekends are closed
- Piața Agroalimentară Mărăști: Mărăști, from 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 14:00 and Sunday closed.
- Piața Flora: Aleea Padin 21, from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday closed.
- Piața Agroalimentară IRA: Strada Dâmboviței, from 07:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 07:00 to 14:00
- Piața Agroalimentară Zorilor: Strada Zorilor, from 07:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 07:00 to 14:00
In some neighborhoods you can also find some floating markets (piețe flotante) that are organized by the Municipality of Cluj Napoca; these markets operate on specific days of the week and for a few hours:
- Gheorgheni neighborhood: Uniri Street, at the end of the line 3 bus station, every Thursday from 15:00 to 19: 00.
- Grigorescu neighborhood: Sigismund Toduță street, every Tuesday from 15:00 to 19: 00.
- Plopilor neighborhood: Sala Sporturilor “Horia Demian”, Splaiul Independenţei street, every Saturday, from 07:00 to 16:00.
Remember that the location and hours of operation of these markets may vary, so we advise you to review the announcements that are published on the Cluj Napoca City Hall website, to be updated: https://primariaclujnapoca.ro/informatii-publice/categorie/informatii-utilitare/
Keep in mind that in local markets, the payment method is in cash. And although the producers can give you a plastic bag for your purchases, it is better that you bring your own ecological or reusable bags.
On the other hand, you can also access products made by local artisans, such as honey, beers, breads, sausages and even typical clothing through online stores. You can visit the following page to learn more about the products made in Cluj: https://madeincluj.ro/producatori/?stores_orderby=total_orders