Are you looking for the best cafes in Belgrade? Let me tell you my favorites in the Serbian capital.
Serbia, like the entire Balkans, is a paradise for coffee lovers and Belgrade is no exception. Sarajevo and Belgrade argue about which of the two cities opened the first coffee house in the Balkans - and no matter which city you choose, you'll get your money's worth of caffeine! On each of my six or seven visits to Belgrade, I have to try at least one or two new cafes - and only the best have made it into this guide!
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The history of coffee in Serbia
Today we make enjoy visiting specialty coffee shops and order our latte with oat milk - and yes, you can find such cafés in Belgrade too. But the 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.
That's why "Turkish coffee" is still on the menus of some cafés and restaurants today - although it is generally prepared a little differently in the Balkans than in Turkey. But many specialty coffee shops have now opened in Belgrade and you can enjoy excellent flat whites, cappuccinos and more.
And there is something else that is important when enjoying coffee: the "black gold" is drunk in a relaxed manner. Drinking coffee is a social affair here and taking it "to go" is still frowned upon - all the better for you, because you can sit in the café and relax and watch the hustle and bustle of Belgrade.
Belgrade: Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation
Although Belgrade is a big city, as a tourist you'll probably stay close to the center. There's the most to see around the Old Town, the fortress, and the city's hipster neighborhoods. If you can, avoid taking the bus or taxi - traffic in Belgrade is a disaster. So take the tram if a route is too far to walk.
The best neighborhoods in Belgrade
Dorćol | Belgrade's hipster neighborhood has the highest concentration of stylish boutiques, cafes 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 center of Belgrade stretches from the Kalemegdan fortress to Republic Square and the Sava. In this neighborhood you will find almost all of the city's most important sights. Here, Belgrade's life pulsates in cafes, restaurants and shops, especially on Knez Mihailova Street.
Zemun | The district is located on the Danube just outside Belgrade. The suburb has a relaxed atmosphere, with a riverside promenade and a cute little old town with colorful houses
The best hotels in Belgrade
- Villa Skadarlija - within walking distance of all major attractions, in the boho district of Skadarlija, but still quiet and with only a few rooms
- Mama’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 apartments right in the city centre of Belgrade
💡 My tip: I always book my accommodations on booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 percent 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. Find the best accommodations in Belgrade here..
Die besten Cafés in Belgrad
Drip
Located right on a street corner in the hipster neighborhood of Dorćol, this small café serves many Belgrade locals who just stop by to drink an espresso on their way to work. We made ourselves comfortable in the relaxed atmosphere and had a perfect flat white and a really good pistachio raspberry muffin for breakfast! The barista was really nice and we felt like we were part of the neighborhood.
Espresso Bar
This small, unassuming corner shop was our salvation from a sudden downpour - luckily! The service was quick and in addition to numerous specialty coffee options, they also serve wine (which we didn't try at 10am 😃).
The breakfast, hearty croissants, was delicious, though. We also met some remote workers, but unfortunately I don't know how good the internet is.
💡 My tip: To use the mobile internet to navigate the city, I use an Airalo e-sim - Serbia is not in the EU, which means that European roaming does not work here. On Airalo, I can choose different data packages for the length of 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 excellent 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 cozy and they also serve good breakfasts. 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 at 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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