Food & Dining in Serbia
Serbian cuisine is hearty, meat-centric, and deeply tied to social life. Dining out is affordable, and the café culture is central to daily life.
Typical Costs
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cheap meal | €4-8 |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | €25-40 |
| Coffee | €1-2 |
| Beer (domestic) | €1.50-3 |
| Burek (pastry) | €1-2 |
| Street food | €2-5 |
Traditional Serbian Food
Must-try dishes:
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Ćevapi | Grilled minced meat sausages, served in bread |
| Pljeskavica | Serbian hamburger, often stuffed with cheese |
| Sarma | Cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice |
| Gibanica | Cheese and egg phyllo pastry |
| Burek | Flaky pastry with meat, cheese, or spinach |
| Ajvar | Roasted red pepper spread |
| Kajmak | Creamy dairy spread |
| Karađorđeva šnicla | Stuffed and breaded pork/veal cutlet |
Café Culture
Coffee (kafa) is central to Serbian social life:
- Domestic coffee (domaća kafa): Turkish-style, strong
- Espresso widely available
- Sitting for hours is normal and expected
- "Idi na kafu" (go for coffee) means socializing
Popular café areas:
- Knez Mihailova (main pedestrian street)
- Skadarlija (bohemian quarter)
- Dorćol (artsy cafés)
Dining Out
Restaurant types:
- Kafana: Traditional Serbian tavern with music
- Restoran: Standard restaurant
- Fast food: Ćevapi, burek, pizza (very affordable)
- Splav: River boat restaurants/clubs
Tipping: 10% is appreciated but not strictly expected. Round up or leave small change.
Dining hours:
- Lunch: 12-3 PM
- Dinner: 7-10 PM (Serbians eat late)
Alcohol
National drinks:
- Rakija: Fruit brandy, often homemade (40-60% alcohol)
- Šljivovica: Plum rakija (most popular)
- Loza: Grape rakija
Beer: Jelen and Lav are popular local brands (€1.50-2)
Wine: Serbian wines underrated and affordable
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Maxi, Idea, Roda, Univerexport
- Similar to Western European supermarkets
- Good selection, reasonable prices
Local markets (pijaca):
- Fresh produce at lower prices
- Zeleni Venac (Belgrade's main market)
- Kalenic Market (popular with locals)
Vegetarian/Vegan Options
Traditionally meat-heavy, but improving:
- International restaurants have options
- Vegan-specific restaurants exist in Belgrade
- Ajvar, gibanica, and salads are meat-free
- "Posna" (fasting) dishes during Orthodox periods
- Always clarify "bez mesa" (without meat)
International Cuisine
Belgrade has diverse options:
- Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai
- Middle Eastern
- Mexican
- Indian
- Quality and availability improving
Food Delivery
- Wolt (most popular)
- Glovo
- Mr. D
Tips for Expats
- Embrace the slow café culture
- Try rakija at least once (sip slowly!)
- Markets have the freshest produce
- Vegetarians: be specific, as Serbian "vegetarian" might include meat stock
- Portion sizes are generous
Pro Tips
- •Serbian cuisine is meat-heavy - vegetarians should specify clearly
- •Café culture is huge - sitting for hours over coffee is normal
- •Try ćevapi and ajvar for essential Serbian food experience
- •Local markets have the freshest and cheapest produce
- •Be prepared for rakija being offered frequently
Have questions about food & dining in Serbia?