Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Known for the Kalemegdan Fortress, the bohemian Skadarlija quarter, the Temple of Saint Sava and a lively splavovi (river barge) nightlife, it blends Ottoman, Habsburg and Yugoslav layers into one of the Balkans' most energetic cities.
Serbian cooking in Belgrade is grill-centred, hearty and Balkan-Ottoman in origin. Grilled meat (roštilj) such as ćevapi, pljeskavica and karađorđeva šnicla defines the kafana table, preceded by kajmak (clotted cream), ajvar (roasted pepper spread), Serbian cured meats and cheese, and followed by gibanica, palačinke or baklava. Burek with yogurt is the breakfast of the city, and rakija (plum brandy, šljivovica) is the aperitif. Skadarlija and the old town are the classic kafana quarters, the Zemun quay is for Danube fish, and Belgrade has a growing modern scene led by a Michelin-starred restaurant and several Bib Gourmand places.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Belgrade.
Ćevapi
Small grilled minced-meat sausages served with chopped onion, kajmak and somun (flatbread)
Where to try: Kafanas in Skadarlija / grill houses across the city
Price: 700-1,200 RSD (~$7-12) for 10 pieces
Pljeskavica
Large grilled meat patty, often served in lepinja bread with onion and kajmak
Where to try: Grill houses / street grills in Stari Grad
Price: 500-1,000 RSD (~$5-10)
Burek sa sirom
Flaky pie of layered pastry filled with cheese, eaten for breakfast with yogurt
Where to try: Lili M Bakery / bakeries across the city
Price: 250-450 RSD (~$2.50-4.50)
Karađorđeva šnicla
Rolled breaded veal or pork cutlet stuffed with kajmak, served with tartar sauce
Where to try: Kafana ? / traditional restaurants
Price: 1,500-2,500 RSD (~$15-25)
Sarma
Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked, a winter staple
Where to try: Kafanas and home-style restaurants such as Bela Reka
Price: 1,000-1,800 RSD (~$10-18)
Gibanica
Baked cheese pie with eggs and layered pastry
Where to try: Traditional restaurants and bakeries
Price: 300-700 RSD (~$3-7)
Riblja čorba
Spicy Danube fish soup with paprika, a signature of Zemun quay restaurants
Where to try: Šaran / Reka / Sent Andrea, Zemun
Price: 900-1,600 RSD (~$9-16)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Serbian
Mediterranean
Burek And Pastry
Food tours & tastings in Belgrade
Eat your way through Belgrade with a guide.
Browse food experiences in BelgradeWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Burek
Cheese, meat or spinach pie sold by the piece in bakeries from early morning
Find it at: Lili M Bakery, Jug Bogdanova 3 / bakeries across Stari Grad
Pljeskavica in lepinja
Grilled patty in flatbread eaten standing or to go
Find it at: Street grills around Knez Mihailova and Zeleni venac
Ćevapi to go
Ćevapi in a bread roll with onion and kajmak
Find it at: Grill shops and bakeries in Stari Grad
Gurmanska pljeskavica
Gourmet stuffed pljeskavica with cheese or ham filling
Find it at: Grill shops near Slavija and Knez Mihailova
Palačinke
Thin pancakes with jam, walnuts or chocolate
Find it at: Skadarlija and Knez Mihailova cafes
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Kalenić Market
Belgrade's best-known produce market near the Church of Saint Sava, good for fruit, cheese, honey and kajmak
Hours: Daily 6:00-19:00 (listing; confirm)
Zeleni Venac Market
Central market and transport hub close to Knez Mihailova with produce, cheese and cured meats
Hours: Typically morning to late afternoon daily (confirm)
Bajloni (Skadarlija) Market
Large market below Skadarska street in Dorćol, one of the main downtown markets
Hours: Typically early morning to mid-afternoon (confirm)
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is typically 12:00-15:00 and dinner 19:00-22:00; kafanas stay open to midnight or later
Tip about 10% in cash (RSD) for table service; service is not usually included in the bill
Skadarlija restaurants have live music and set higher prices than similar food elsewhere; the grilled menu is nearly identical, so choose by atmosphere
Order portions carefully: grill platters are large; ask for a half portion (pola porcije) if dining alone
Smoking is widespread inside many kafanas; request a non-smoking room (nepušački deo) or sit on the terrace
Cards are accepted in most restaurants but bakeries and market stalls often take cash only; carry dinar from an ATM and avoid street exchange booths
- Vegetarian
- Limited in kafanas; Radost Fina Kuhinjica (Pariska 3) is fully vegetarian and vegan. Ask for posno (fasting dishes, meat-free) in traditional restaurants, for example bean soup (prebranac) and gibanica.
- Halal
- Few halal-certified restaurants; ask for pork-free dishes. Lamb and beef are available at most grill houses.
- Gluten free
- Grilled meat and salads are naturally gluten-free; bread and burek are not. Say 'bez glutena' when ordering and confirm sauces.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 500-1,200 RSD (~$5-12) per meal | Burek and yogurt, pljeskavica or ćevapi from a bakery or grill shop |
| Mid-range | 2,000-3,500 RSD (~$20-35) per meal | Kafana or Zemun fish restaurant with a main and a drink |
| Upscale | 8,000+ RSD (~$80+) per meal | Michelin-starred tasting menu or a full multi-course dinner with wine |