Are you looking for the best cafés in Belgrade? Here I reveal my favourites in the Serbian capital.
Serbia, like the entire Balkans, is a paradise for coffee lovers and Belgrade is of course no exception. Sarajevo and Belgrade are fighting over which of the two cities has opened the first coffee house in the Balkans - and no matter which city you choose, you're in for a caffeine treat! On each of my six or seven visits to Belgrade, I have to try at least one or two new cafés - and only the best have made it into this guide!
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The history of coffee in Serbia
Today, we make a pilgrimage to speciality coffee shops and order our latte with oat milk - and yes, you can also find cafés like this in Belgrade. But coffee culture in Serbia is much, much older. Coffee has been a part of Serbian life since the arrival of the Ottomans in the 15th century and the first coffee house opened in Belgrade in 1521.
This is why "Turkish coffee" is still on the menus of many cafés and restaurants today - although it is generally prepared a little differently in the Balkans than in Turkey. However, many speciality coffee shops have now set up shop in Belgrade and you can enjoy excellent flat whites, cappuccinos and more.
And something else is important when enjoying coffee: the "black gold" is drunk in a cosy atmosphere. Drinking coffee is a social affair here and to-go is still frowned upon - all the better for you, as you can sit in the café and watch the hustle and bustle of Belgrade.
Belgrade: Best neighbourhoods and accommodation
Although Belgrade is a large city, as a tourist you are likely to stay close to the centre. Around the old town, fortress and in the hipster neighbourhoods of the city there is the most to see. If you can, avoid the bus or taxi - traffic in Belgrade is a disaster. So take the tram if a route is too far to walk.
The best neighbourhoods in Belgrade
Dorćol | The hipster neighbourhood of Belgrade has the highest density of stylish boutiques, cafés and restaurants with a creative and alternative scene. When I'm in Belgrade, I try to stay here or in Skadarlija.
Stari Grad | The old town or city centre of Belgrade stretches from Kalemegdan Fortress to Republic Square and the Sava River. In this neighbourhood you will find almost all of the city's major sights. Belgrade's life pulsates here in cafés, restaurants and shops, especially in Knez Mihailova Street.
Zemun | The neighbourhood is located on the Danube just outside Belgrade. The suburb has a relaxed atmosphere, with a promenade along the river and a cute little old town with colourful houses
The best hotels in Belgrade
- Villa Skadarlija - Within walking distance of all the main sights, in the boho neighbourhood of Skadarlija, yet quiet and with only a few rooms
- Mum's Shelter - modern and super stylish interior with roof terrace and located directly in the pedestrian zone
- Smokvica Bed & Breakfast - Small boutique hotel in the Dorćol district, which is part of a really good restaurant
- One Luxury Suites Belgrade - chic and modern serviced flats right in the city centre of Belgrade
💡 My tip: I always book my accommodation on booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 per cent for some accommodations - and sometimes there are also great extras, such as a free breakfast or upgrade. For Level 3, you have to make 15 bookings via the platform within 2 years. Level 2 is even available for just five bookings. Finde hier die besten Unterkünfte in Belgrad.
The best cafés in Belgrade
Drip
Located right on a street corner in the hipster neighbourhood of Dorćol, this small café caters to many Belgrade locals who just pop in for an espresso on their way to work. We made ourselves comfortable in the relaxed atmosphere and had a perfect flat white as well as a really good pistachio and raspberry muffin for breakfast! The barista was really nice and we felt like we were part of the neighbourhood.
Espresso Bar
This small, inconspicuous shop on the corner was our saviour from a sudden downpour - luckily! The service was quick and in addition to numerous speciality coffee options, they also serve wine (which we didn't try at 10am 😃).
But the breakfast, savoury croissants, was also really recommendable. We also met some remote workers, but unfortunately I don't know how good the internet is.
💡 My tip: 💡 My tip: To be online and navigate easily from A to B, I use an E-Sim from Airalo - Serbia is not in the EU, which means that European roaming does not apply here. On Airalo, I can select different data packages of exactly the right length for my stay.
Кафетерија (Kafeterija)
This Serbian coffee chain has delicious coffee (but no expert baristas) and the coffee houses in several locations in Belgrade are also great for a work session - the three-storey location in the pedestrian zone is particularly popular with students. I also had breakfast there, the poached eggs with avocado were good.
Bloom
Bloom was recommended to me for breakfast by a friend who loves coffee and brunch as much as I do. And we were not disappointed by her recommendation. A variety of breakfast options, including smoothie bowls and really good coffee. During the day, there is a changing lunch menu.
Kafeterija Mlin
This charming little café in Zemun is the perfect place for a quick pick-me-up coffee in the morning. The interior is cosy and they also serve a good breakfast. So it's the perfect starting point from which to discover Belgrade's suburbs. You can also find more tips on sightseeing and the best places to visit in Belgrade here.
CoffeeBean Kafeterija
Located directly behind the Hotel Moskva in Terezije Park, the vibe of this place is super relaxed. It also serves coffee with pistachio, iced coffee, frappees and a few more unusual creations.
DOZA Coffee Shop
Small, minimalist coffee shop with a focus on good coffee and croissants - proper French breakfast 😉 It's still on my list, unfortunately I didn't make it there last time, but with the good Google rating I can hardly wait for my next visit to Belgrade!
Map: Download a map of the best cafés and sights in Belgrade here 👇
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