A traditional restaurant known for veal and pork roasted ispod sača (under a bell covered with embers), freshly baked cornbread, home-made cheese and Serbian prosciutto, with a cellar of more than 2,000 wine bottles. Outside the centre on Bulevar oslobođenja; use a taxi.
Kovač is a traditional Serbian restaurant at Bulevar oslobođenja 221 in the Voždovac district, south of the centre of Belgrade. It is known for veal and pork roasted ispod sača, meaning under a bell-shaped lid covered with embers, a method that gives the meat a tender, smoky finish and is one of the most characteristic cooking techniques of the Balkans. The menu also features freshly baked cornbread, home-made cheese and Serbian prosciutto, and the restaurant keeps a cellar of more than 2,000 wine bottles, which is notable for a Serbian traditional restaurant. Signature dishes include the sač-roasted veal and pork, smoked ribs, boiled ham hock and steak skewers wrapped in prosciutto. These are hearty dishes meant for sharing, and the sač roast in particular is the emblematic order. The dining room character is rustic and substantial, aimed at long family or group meals rather than quick dining, with no dress code and a lively but comfortable noise level. The large cellar means wine is a genuine part of the visit; diners can ask the staff for suggestions to match the roasted meats, and Serbian bottles are a natural way to explore the country's wine. Typical spending is about 2,500-4,500 RSD per person. Listed hours are Monday 14:00-22:00, Tuesday to Saturday 13:00-24:00 and Sunday 13:00-22:00, which should be confirmed. Reservations are worth making, especially for the sač roast on weekends, when the dish needs advance preparation. The phone number is +381 11 2462 343. The restaurant lies outside the tourist centre on a main boulevard, so a taxi is the practical way to reach it from the old town in Belgrade, Serbia. It suits visitors with an appetite and a car or taxi budget, who want a traditional meal away from the busiest streets.
| Price | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon 14:00-22:00; Tue-Sat 13:00-24:00; Sun 13:00-22:00 (listing; confirm) |
| Reservations | Book ahead if you want the sač roast on weekends; phone +381 11 2462 343 |
| Address | Bulevar oslobođenja 221, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia |
Signature dishes
- Veal and pork ispod sača
- Smoked ribs
- Boiled ham hock
- Steak skewers wrapped in prosciutto
Good to know
- Known for
- Meat roasted under the sač
Location
Bulevar oslobođenja 221, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
44.7695, 20.4720 View on map
Highlights
- Veal and pork roasted ispod sača under an ember-covered bell
- Cellar of more than 2,000 wine bottles
- Freshly baked cornbread, home-made cheese and Serbian prosciutto
- Smoked ribs, ham hock and prosciutto-wrapped steak skewers
Tips for visiting
- Book ahead for the sač roast on weekends; phone +381 11 2462 343.
- Use a taxi from the centre, as the restaurant is on Bulevar oslobođenja in Voždovac.
- Share a sač roast between several diners; portions are large.
- Ask the staff to match a Serbian wine from the cellar to the meat.
- Check listed hours, as Monday opens later at 14:00 and closes at 22:00.
When to visit
Weekend afternoons suit long meals but need a booking for the sač roast; weekdays are quieter.
Accessibility
The restaurant is on a main boulevard and reached by taxi, which helps arrival. Step-free access inside is not confirmed, so phone ahead for mobility needs.
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Frequently asked questions
What does ispod sača mean?
It means cooked under a sač, a metal bell-shaped lid covered with hot embers. The method gives slow-roasted, tender meat.
Is it in central Belgrade?
No. It is in Voždovac, south of the centre, and a taxi is the practical option.
How large is the wine list?
The restaurant is reported to hold a cellar of more than 2,000 wine bottles.
How much does dinner cost?
About 2,500-4,500 RSD (roughly $25-45) per person.