Belgrade: The best restaurants and dishes of Serbian cuisine

by Kathi Daniela

Du bist auf der Suche nach den besten Restaurants in Belgrad? Dann bist du hier richtig! Denn ich liebe die serbische Hauptstadt (inzwischen war ich schon 5 oder 6 mal dort) und habe es mir zum Ziel gesetzt, die besten Restaurants in Belgrad zu entdecken – nud natürlich, sie hier zu teilen.

Egal ob Bäckerei, traditionelle Kafana, Fusion Cuisine im Sterne-Restaurant oder Grillküche in einer versteckten Seitenstraße – in Belgrad schlecht zu essen, ist eigentlich so gut wie unmöglich!

Seit 2017 komme ich regelmäßig in die serbische Hauptstadt und die Foodie-Szene hier kann sich inzwischen wirklich sehen lassen, mit tollen Gastrokonzepten, aber auch traditionell serbischen Restaurants.

Aber nicht nur das. Wenn ich eines über Serbien und die Serben gleich bei einem meiner ersten Besuche gelernt habe, dann ist es, dass sie das Leben lieben, den Genuss. Essen spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der serbischen Kultur – es zu genießen, es zu teilen, es zu zelebrieren, gemeinsam mit Freunden und der Familie.

Eating out in Belgrade is not just a culinary delight - a bar, café or restaurant is also one of the best places in the city to get to know the Serbian way of life and culture.

Hier kommt also meine Liste der besten Restaurants in Belgrad, geordnet nach verschiedenen Kategorien, sodass du direkt findest, worauf du Appetit hast. Los geht’s – oder wie man in Serbien sagt: Prijatno.

Best restaurants in Belgrade: Mezze with cheese and pita
Best restaurants in Belgrade: Stuffed peppers with mashed potatoes

Du bist das erste Mal in Belgrad und nicht sicher, was du unbedingt probieren musst? Eine Liste der must-try serbischen Gerichte (und wo in Belgrad sie am besten schmecken) findest du hier→ What to eat in Belgrade: 10 Serbian dishes you must try (+ where to eat them)

The best traditional Serbian restaurants

If you only work for a weekend in Belgrade and want to eat typical Serbian food, then these restaurants are the right choice for you. Grilled food, savoury stews or schnitzel - here you will find the classic dishes of Belgrade.

Restoran Vuk

Located in a side street of Belgrade's main artery, Knez Mihailova, this restaurant has typical Serbian dishes on the menu. A good choice here is the stuffed pljeskavica, but the pickled peppers stuffed with kajmak are also excellent.

📍Vuka Karadžića 12, Beograd 

Manufactory

This restaurant is absolutely instagrammable - especially because of the red umbrellas hanging in the street and over the outside area, giving it a cosmopolitan feel. Although located in the touristy old town, the food is good and fresh and well worth a visit. 

📍Kralja Petra 13, Beograd 

Sarajevski ćevap 

If your trip ever takes you to Bosnia and Herzegovina, then you should definitely eat Ćevapčići there. If not, this little shop in the boho district of Dorćol is a good alternative.

📍 Cara Dušana 32, Beograd

Zavičaj

A typical neighbourhood spot just outside the historic centre of Belgrade. Here you will find typical Serbian dishes in a wood-panelled dining room with the typical chequered ceilings that you will recognise from every other Balkan restaurant. I can recommend all the cooked and grilled dishes here.

📍Gavrila Principa 77, Beograd

Three Hats / Tri Šešira

No matter what day of the week, this traditional restaurant hosts a party every evening with traditional music - guitar, accordion and singing for dinner. With its red and white chequered tablecloths, Tri Šešira is a typical Balkan restaurant and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. No wonder - after all, the traditional restaurant is located in the old boho neighbourhood of Skadarlija, which has a very special vibe with its cobbled streets.

📍Skadarska 29, Beograd

Echte serbische Gerichte in echten serbischen Kafanas? Verkostet du auf dieser a food tour. Für mich persönlich gibt’s keinen besseren Weg, ein Land und seine Leute kennenzulernen als über den Teller. Liebe geht ja schließlich durch den Magen, oder?

The umbrellas on the Manufaktura terrace
Restaurant Manufaktura

Belgrade's best international & fusion restaurants

Not in the mood for Serbian cuisine? These restaurants serve international cuisine or fusion - you're sure to find something you like here. From Asian fusion cuisine to smashed burgers or Mediterranean dishes.

Endorfin

Endorfin calls herself a bistronomy experience - In other words, a gastro-bistro. The interior is stylish and the dishes can easily hold their own with fine dining restaurants. In addition to small snacks, there is even a chef's tasting menu that changes weekly and a large selection of Serbian wines and craft beers.

📍Braće Jugovića 3, Beograd

Smokvica

An urban, modern restaurant in the middle of the hip Dorćol neighbourhood, which brings a touch of Mediterranean lifestyle to Belgrade with its green and white interior. The courtyard with the fig tree that gives the restaurant its name is cosy and makes you feel far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The cuisine here is also Mediterranean - from hummus to fresh salads. If you want to eat here, I would recommend going to Reserve.

📍Kralja Petra 73, Beograd

Idol Tiki Bar

This restaurant doesn't quite know what it wants to be: Caribbean cocktail bar? Chinese restaurant? But it doesn't matter: the creative cocktails go wonderfully well with the delicious Chinese dishes served in this fusion restaurant with its stylish jungle interior.

📍 Strahinjića Bana 61, Beograd 

Cantina de Frida

A stylish Mexican restaurant on the trendy Beton Hala riverside promenade. You can sit outside on the terrace with a view of the Danube. The quesadillas, Mexican tapas and cocktails are excellent and there is often live music on weekend evenings. If you want to come then, I would recommend going to Reservebecause even well-to-do Belgraders like to go out on Fridays and Saturdays on the chic promenade. 

📍 Karađorđeva 2, Beograd

Bistro TT

Breakfast, lunch or dinner - this minimalist spot has it all, plus delicious local beers and cocktails. The top dishes here are the sweet blinis with berries and whipped cream, syrniki, and pelmeni with sour cream. Another special touch is the old crockery and the plates and cups printed with flowers, which add a nostalgic touch to the modern ambience of the restaurant.

📍 Cara Uroša 19, Beograd

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Best restaurants in Belgrade: Tapas at Kantina de Frida
Tapas at Cantina de Frida
Smashed burger in thyme

Eating out in Belgrade: Local tips

Tipping | Tipping is not necessarily expected in Serbia, but it is of course very appreciated. 10% to 15% is an okay amount for a dinner. For smaller amounts, you can simply round up.

Sharing dishes | In a larger group or at a business dinner, your Serbian companion will often order several dishes so that you can try everything. Be prepared for a starter such as pita or burek to be followed by a meat platter. Prijatno “Prijatno” is what you'll hear often when eating out in Serbia. It roughly translates as Enjoy (your meal).

Smoke-free restaurants | Unfortunately, smoking is still allowed in restaurants in Serbia. In recent years, however, Russian-run restaurants in Belgrade have increased significantly—and almost all of them are smoke-free. My favorite: Idol Tiki Bar or Kissa10

Reservations | Even during the week, I would recommend making reservations for dinner, as the most popular spots are always full. Many restaurants offer online reservations, just check Google.

Pelmeni with sour cream
TT Bistro in Dorćol

Vegetarian restaurants in Belgrade

The meat-heavy Balkan cuisine can cause slight panic among vegetarians - but don't worry, there are many really good meat-free restaurants in Belgrade. Nobody goes hungry in the city of flavour!

Coconut Bistro

No matter what you're hungry for: Burger, Pad Thai, lasagne - Kokos has a vegetarian option. The bistro is small, furnished in an industrial style, but cosy. Perfect for a pit stop on your sightseeing route.

📍 Nušićeva 7a, Beograd

Zdravo Ljubavi

This small, vegan café combines a love of sweets with a love of healthy food. No cake wishes remain unfulfilled here! If you fancy something savoury, you'll also find raw dishes and soups here.

📍 Venizelosova 16, Beograd

Mayka

A super cosy, inviting little restaurant with a vegetarian-vegan menu. The burgers here are particularly delicious. Mayka is a real family business and there's a good chance that your mum or daughter will be at the cooker cooking for you.

📍 Nikole Spasića 5, Beograd

Ćao Sečeru!

Just the thing for sweet vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free cravings: because that's what every dish is here, from cakes to delicious energy balls with different nuts and flavours. The small shop is not quite as cosy for long, relaxed sitting, but perfect for a short break.

📍 Rige od Fere 15, Beograd

Sunset in a restaurant on the Beton Hala
Sunset at Beton Hala
Pure relaxation in the Boho Bar

Belgrade's restaurants with the best view

Concrete Hala

This chic riverside promenade on the Danube was only completed a few years ago and is popular with tourists and wealthy Belgraders alike. But no wonder: the view of the river is marvellous, especially at sunset.

All the restaurants on Beton Hala are a little more upmarket in terms of price, you pay for the location, but no matter which one you choose, I've had an excellent meal in all of them so far. Of the many restaurants you'll find here, Kantina de Frida is my favourite.

📍 Karađorđeva 2, Beograd

Boho Bar

Okay, this spot isn't actually a restaurant, but because the location within the walls of Kalemegdan, Belgrade's fortress, is simply so unique and special, I just had to include it. The perfect spot for a pre-dinner cocktail to watch the sun set over the castle walls. Looking for more places to drink in Belgrade? I've put together a list of my favourite bars here.

📍 Kalemegdanska Terasa bb, Beograd

Mama Restaurant

The Mamas Shelter Hotel is home to a panoramic restaurant with a view of Belgrade - one of the places in Belgrade that you should definitely visit if, like me, you simply love a view. The restaurant is as stylish as you would expect from the Mams Shelter chain and the rooftop terrace leaves nothing to be desired. In addition to good cocktails for the evening, Mama Restaurant is also a great place for brunch.

📍Kneza Mihaila 54A, Beograd

Old-fashioned furnishings at Restoran Kovac - a local insider tip
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Insider tips: Restaurants where the locals eat

To eat where the locals like it, you have to go a little way out of Belgrade's old town, to New Belgrade or the suburbs. But it's worth it. So here are a few local insider tips.

Restoran Kovač

A typical Belgrade Kafana with live music, furnishings that are a little old-fashioned (I'm just saying lace doilies), but excellent service and a wide selection of traditional dishes. We only saw locals here when we stopped in. The restaurant is also a little out of town.

📍Bulevar Oslobođenja 221, Beograd

Aleksandar Club

Perfect for a summer dinner in Belgrade, this restaurant has a huge terrace with a unique view over the city. The food is good and reasonably priced - the best is something grilled with a local wine and a fresh salad. Aleksandar Club is also perfect for families with children.

📍 Kneza Višeslava 17, Beograd

Suvenir

This restaurant with a river view serves a mix of Serbian-Mediterranean fusion cuisine. I love the atmosphere - on the Splav (boat) you sit outside, but still feel as if you were sitting inside thanks to the cosy cushions and curtains.  Get to know the city Reservation is a must here.

📍 Novi Beograd Blok 44, Gandijeva BB, Beograd

Thyme - StreetFood & Breakfast

The burgers and bao buns at this street food joint are excellent and they serve local beer - so fresh and fruity that even I liked it. Unfortunately, there is no outside seating area, but the restaurant is large and nicely furnished, so it's okay to sit by the high windows.

📍 Rajićva 12, Beograd

Burek from the bakery in Belgrade

On a budget: What tastes good from the supermarket, bakery and co?

If you just want a quick bite to eat or because you've already spent your budget, you certainly won't go hungry. You can also find a grilled sandwich in smaller shops and you can't go wrong with a piece of pita at the bakery or in a buregdzinica. By the way, burek is pita with meat, burek sa sirom is pita with cheese - so pay attention to which version you order.

Many supermarkets also have fresh food counters where you can buy soups or ready-made meals at a favourable price, for example. However, only the larger supermarkets - in the smaller ones you are more likely to find only a bakery. 

Conclusion: the best restaurants in Belgrade

And that's a wrap - These were the best restaurants in Belgrade, at least for me. But don't worry, there's always something new to discover and I'm sure I'll keep adding to this list. I hope you've found something to satisfy your hunger. And if it's your first time in the city, I highly recommend it, Belgrade on a food tour to taste.

Still have questions about Belgrade? Interesting facts for your trip can be found here ⬇️

💸 Can I pay with euros in Belgrade?

You cannot pay with euros in Belgrade. The official currency in Serbia is the Serbian dinar. You can find the official exchange rate here check. However, most restaurants and shops also accept cards, so you won't need a lot of cash.

🇷🇸 What language is spoken in Belgrade?

The official language of the country is Serbian. The Serbian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so it's best to download Google Translate, which also allows you to take photos of Cyrillic menus or street signs and translate them.

💉 Do I need international health insurance for Belgrade?

Unnecessary! Never, never, never should you travel without international health insurance. Serbia is also not in the EU, which means that your German health insurance does not cover the country. I always like to recommend SafetyWing to other travellers. For less than one euro per day, you can insure yourself here and also protect yourself against the risk of lost luggage.

📲 Can I use European roaming in Belgrade?

No, as Serbia is not in the EU, your roaming package does not apply here. You can either buy a SIM card locally at a kiosk for a few marks or simply get an eSIM like Airalo, which you can even use for other countries after your trip to Bosnia. You can download the Airalo app here.

🪂 How many days should I plan for Belgrade?

I would recommend three days in Belgrade so that you can see not only the city centre, but also districts such as Zemun or the Ada Ciglane recreational area. A few Ideas for your city trip to Belgrade you can find here. The city is super diverse and has an exciting past, so I would definitely recommend you visit a City tour with a local to book.

💦 Can I drink the tap water in Belgrade?

You can drink the water in Belgrade without hesitation.  

🛬 Where can I find the best flights to Belgrade?

You can find the cheapest flights on Kiwi - where you can compare prices directly.

🏯 Where can I find the best accommodation in Belgrade?

On Booking.com I always book my accommodation in Belgrade. I make sure that they are either in the Dorćol district or close to Republic Square - that way I'm right in the city centre. I only recommend Skadarlija during the week, as it can get louder here at the weekend.

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Have you ever been to Belgrade? If so, how did you like it? Do you have any additional tips and experiences? I look forward to reading about them in the comments!