Your guide to food in Sarajevo: Which traditional foods should you definitely try? And which are the best places to eat?
The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach –that couldn't be more true in Sarajevo. Serving good food is practically a matter of honor in Bosnia and Herzegovina and you'd have to really try hard to eat a bad meal here.
Food is not just nourishment here–it's about enjoying each other's company, really taking the time to appreciate every meal, making it an occasion, and I love that about Bosnia and Herzegovina. My love for the country definitely grew the more I learned about its food culture in the past five years since living in Sarajevo.
Many restaurants or foodie spots in the city will still only serve one or two dishes, such as Buregdžinicas or Ćevabdžinicas or prepare them fresh every morning so some meals are already sold out by lunch time like in the most popular Ascinicas. With almost every restaurant having their signature dish, it's no wonder the food here's so amazing--it's been perfected over generations!
I hope reading this made you hungry. So let's dig right into the best Bosnian dishes the Sarajevo food scene has to offer (and where you should try them).
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Short on time? Here’s your quick guide to Sarajevo's food scene:
The trifecta of Bosnian cuisine is cevapcici, pita and dolma. But there is so much more! Make sure not to miss out on the most delicious meals in Sarajevo because you don't know where to look or them.
Must Eat | If you only have one dish, go for ćevapčići, they are the national dish. Make sure to order them with onions (trust me on that!) and kajmak (a kind of clotted cream).
Where to stay | Sarajevo is very walkable. Stay central to have all sights just at your finger tips. My favorite hotel is Ovo Malo Duše in the middle of the old town. Baškuća is another great option, too.
Something Special | For a deep dive into Bosnian cuisine (and the infamous rakija), treat yourself to a food tour. Looking for a special restaurant? Book dinner at Kibe Mahala (and ask for a table by the window).
Do Yourself a Favor | Save the hassle of getting a local SIM or the cost of roaming with Lyntel, a local Balkan e-SIM provider, that will have you online from the moment you arrive.
What exactly is "Bosnian cuisine"? A bit of context
Bosnian cuisine is what happens when different empires leave their mark on a place. The Ottomans left behind their phyllo dough, their slow-cooked filled vegetables, and of course, coffee. The Austro-Hungarians added pastries, beer, and coffee houses. Mediterranean influences – grilled fish, wine, olive oil - mix with hearty mountain stews. And in the end: you have a Bosnian plate.
What sets Bosnian food apart is its simplicity. There aren't many spices or fancy garnishes but fresh, seasonal ingredients. A good ćevap is a good ćevap because the meat is fresh and the somun came out of the oven ten minutes ago. Begova čorba tastes like someone's grandmother made it because the cook is probably using her recipe.
Sarajevo has been the meeting point of all these influences for centuries, and the way Sarajlije eat reflects that.
Start the Day: Breakfast
1. Pita: Burek and more
The variety for pita are endless. Thinly stretched phyllo dough that is filled with meat, cheese, spinach or potatoes – sometimes with pumpkin or cabbage, too. The most important: Pita must be crispy on the outside but still soft and chewy on the inside.
And if you want to sound like a local in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Only pita with meat is called Burek. Sirnica is filled with cheese, Zeljanica with spinach and krompiruša with potatoes.
Where to eat pita
If you're in the old town, make sure to get your pita at Sač. For a super local spot, head to Nagib in the Malta neighborhood.
2. Uštipci
The OG Bosnian breakfast are fluffy little dough balls that can be eaten either sweet with jam or savoury with cheese, kajmak and cured meats. They're also the classic dish for any mountain cottage you might visit on your hikes.
Where to eat uštipci
I love them at Restoran Kod Biban which is the perfect spot if you're hiking from Trebević back into town.
Lunch and Dinner
3. Ćevapčići
You can find ćevapčići all over the Balkans but ask anyone, from Serbians to Croatians or Montenegrins: Bosnia and Herzegovina is where you find the best ones. Now, opinions divide but inside Bosnia, many also agree that Sarajevo is the capital of the little meat sausages.
If you want to eat this popular dish like a local, order them with kajmak and raw onions, and never, never eat it like a sandwich! Just rip of a piece of bread, fill it with cream and onions and wrap the ćevap into it.
Where to eat ćevapčići
Honestly, the best place to try cevapi just a personal preference. Every Sarajevo family will have their go-to Ćevapdzinica but whichever one in the old town you go to, you will not be disappointed, they all grill fresh throughout the entire day.
4. Begova Čorba
Bey's soup is soup made for a nobleman-rich and creamy with vegetables (ocra is a must!), cream and chicken. It's a very traditional Bosnian soup that I haven't seen anywhere else in the Balkans on the menus and one of the most traditional Bosnian dishes to try.
Wo du Begova Čorba essen solltest
Now, this is one of the dishes that I love most when my mother-in-law makes it, but Kibe Mahala has great Bey's Soup.
5. Bosanski Lonac — The Pot That Simmers for Hours
This Bosnian stew is one of the oldest meat dishes, still from the times of the Bosnian Kingdom during the middle ages. It's not a super popular food so you don't find it in all the restaurants on the menu but it's worth checking out, it's proper, hearty soul food.
Where to eat Bosanski lonac
Try Nanina Kuhinja or in the Inat Kuća. If you are looking for a bit more of a spicy version, order Mučkalicainstead, which is a kind of goulash.
6. Sarma, Dolma, Japrak – die Familie der gefüllten Gerichte
Stuffed vegetables form a distinct category in Bosnian cuisine. Sarma are meatballs rolled in sauerkraut and are the classic winter dish (my absolute favorite). Dolma are traditionally made from bell peppers or onions and stuffed with a mixture of ground meat and rice. Japrak are the spring version of sarma: ground meat wrapped in cabbage leaves.
Where to eat Dolma
If you want try try them all, order Sarajevski Sahan –it's a mix of three different stuffed veggies, normally cabbage, onion, and pepper. My favorite places for all things stuffed: 7 Šuma – Kod Minje.
You can find many of these traditional dishes in Sarajevo in so-called Aščinicas. Aščinice are traditional Bosnian dishes. Roughly translated, they mean “spoon dishes.” Traditionally, an aščinica serves only such dishes—stews, soups, and vegetables stuffed with ground meat, such as onions, bell peppers, or grape leaves. Boiled lamb or beef and Bosnian ravioli, known as klepe, are also on the menu here. Bosnians come here for a quick lunch—and if a dish is sold out, that’s it. They don’t make more during the day.
Klepe — Bosnian Ravioli with Garlic Yogurt
Every country has their own pasta and klepe are the Bosnian version. I always call them Bosnian ravioli. Stuffed with meat or sometimes with cheese, they come in a garlicky paprika sauce and are eaten with a big dollop of sour cream.
Where to eat Klepe
For me Nanina Kuhinja makes the best Klepe, especially their cheese ones are just so delicious!
Eating out in Sarajevo: Local tips
Tipping | Tipping isn’t strictly expected in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it’s certainly appreciated. A tip of 10% to 15% is appropriate for dinner. For smaller bills, 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).
Reservations | Even during the week, I’d recommend making a reservation for dinner in the Baščaršija Old Town, as the most popular spots are always full. Just outside the Old Town, some restaurants have live music on Fridays or Saturdays, and all tables tend to be reserved—so here, too: it’s best to call ahead.
Bosnian Sweets and Coffee
8. Tufahija
I don't really have a sweet tooth, but this dessert I can never say no to. Tufahija is an apple cooked in sugar water, filled with a delicious walnut cream and topped with whipped cream. It sounds like a lot but is actually super refreshing.
Where to eat Tufahija
You'll find the best one in Sarajevo in Kuća Sevdaha.
9. Baklava
When it comes to traditional Bosnian food, sweets – of Ottoman and Austrian origin – are a staple and you find so many slastičarnas (coffee and sweets shops) all over the city. The classic sweet treat is Baklava of course which is made with walnuts instead of pistacchio like in Turkey and is a bit less sweet.
Where to eat Baklava
Try baklava and get some to take home for your friends at Baklava Dućan.
10. Bosanska Kafa
In Bosnia, drinking coffee isn’t just about sitting down for a quick caffeine fix. The entire Bosnian culture revolves around coffee drinking, and the term is much more of a synonym for getting together, socializing, and chatting. Being invited for a strong, sweet cup of coffee is an expression of hospitality—even at eight o’clock at night.
The coffee is sipped from small cups, a discovery of slowness and enjoyment. Accompanied by something sweet, the bitterness of the outside world blurs a little in the sweet, black drink, dissolves, and feels less heavy. I love Bosnian coffee culture and can hardly wait to meet up with friends in Sarajevo for a coffee every time.
Where to drink Bosanska Kafa
Drink Bosnian coffee at Kuća Sevdaha. And if you want to learn more about the difference between Bosnian and Turkish coffee and the coffee culture as a whole, book a city tour with a coffee ritual included.
Where to stay in Sarajevo?
Sarajevo is a walkable city, so wherever you decide to stay, you won't be far from the main places and sights. If you only have a night or two, I would recommend you stay closer to the old town, but staying a little bit farther from Baščaršija gives you a more local vibe.
If you aren't sure yet how many days to stay, I have created itineraries for 2 to 5 days in Sarajevo here.
Hotel Ovo Malo Duše | One of my favourite hotels in the city, right in the old town and furnished with beautiful Bosnian craftsmanship — handmade furniture and rugs throughout. Only 6 rooms, so it feels genuinely private.
Hotel Baškuća | A beautifully designed boutique hotel just next to the old town, with great views and an excellent restaurant on-site.
İsa Begov Hamam Hotel | A truly special place—you’ll stay in a historic Ottoman hamam and have access at any time to the city’s last remaining steam bath.
Apartment Giulia | Perfectly central, yet located on a quiet side street—ideal if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
Looking for more travel tips? Here’s my complete Sarajevo travel guide.
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Die besten Gerichte und Restaurants in Sarajevo
Sarajevo isn't as polished as your other European foodie capitals with michelin star restaurants and overpriced street food places. And that's exactly what I love about it. It's more simple but still you get the best meat, the best view, the best service. Hospitality is what makes the food taste in Sarajevo double as good.
And if you want more recommendations for restaurants, you can find my favorite restaurants in Sarajevo here, my favorite cafés are listed here. Or book a food tour and eat your way through the best the Bosnian cuisine has to offer.
