Best Restaurants in Serbia 2026

Ćevapi

Grilled minced meat sausages — pork and beef blend — served in soft flatbread (lepinja or somun) with kajmak, raw onion, and ajvar. The quintessential Serbian street food available everywhere from kiosks to sit-down restaurants.

Where to try: Any ćevabdžinica; Drina Ćevabdžinica, Belgrade; markets and street kiosks

Price: $3-8

Pljeskavica

A massive, spiced hamburger patty unique to Serbian cuisine. Can be plain or stuffed with kajmak and cheese (punjana pljeskavica). Served in lepinja bread with condiments. The Belgrade version is arguably the best in the Balkans.

Where to try: Roštilj restaurants and kafanas throughout Serbia; Walter fast food chain

Price: $4-10

Gibanica

Serbia's beloved baked cheese and egg pie made with filo pastry layers. Available in bakeries throughout the day — the classic breakfast with a cup of kiselo mleko (sour milk yogurt). Best eaten warm fresh from the oven.

Where to try: Every pekara (bakery) in Serbia; Smokvica restaurant, Belgrade

Price: $1.50-4

Sarma

Stuffed sauerkraut or grape leaves filled with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked for hours until the flavors meld. A winter staple, particularly during Orthodox holidays and celebrations. Often made with smoked ribs for depth.

Where to try: Traditional kafanas and home-style restaurants; Ima Dana kafana, Skadarlija

Price: $5-10

Kajmak

Salted clotted cream made from dairy with a rich, tangy flavor unlike any western cream. Served as a condiment with almost everything — meats, bread, vegetables. The quality varies but fresh kajmak from farmers markets is extraordinary.

Where to try: Any traditional restaurant as a side; Zeleni Venac market for fresh versions

Price: $2-5 as side dish

Karađorđeva Šnicla

Serbia's festive 'diplomat schnitzel' — a rolled veal cutlet stuffed with kajmak, breaded and fried, then sliced to reveal the creamy center. Named after the revolutionary leader Karađorđe. Rich, indulgent, and uniquely Serbian.

Where to try: Traditional restaurants throughout Serbia; Klub Književnika, Kovač restaurant

Price: $10-18

Burek

Flaky filo pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach, baked in a spiral coil. The defining Serbian and Balkan street food, available 24 hours at bakeries (pekare). Eat with kiselo mleko yogurt for the authentic experience.

Find it at: Every pekara (bakery) throughout Serbia; Pekara Trpković has many Belgrade locations

Roštilj (grilled meats)

Street-grilled meats — ćevapi, pljeskavica, kobasica (sausage), and skewers — cooked over charcoal at kiosks and street stands. Often sold with fresh lepinja bread and a choice of condiments. Weekend markets and fairs are best.

Find it at: Street kiosks throughout Belgrade; Skadarlija area; outdoor markets and fairs

Proja

Traditional Serbian cornbread baked in a round cake form, often with cheese or crackling embedded. Sold as slices at markets and home-style restaurants. Dense, satisfying, and uniquely Serbian.

Find it at: Green markets (pijace), home-style restaurants, and rural farm stalls

Kifle and Pereci

Serbian pastry staples — kifle are crescent rolls with cheese, jam, or plain; pereci are large soft pretzels sprinkled with salt. The go-to morning grab from any pekara for under $1.

Find it at: Every bakery in Serbia from early morning; best fresh at 7-9AM

Zeleni Venac Market

Belgrade's most central and lively fresh market at the heart of the old city, with excellent artisan producers selling homemade cheese, honey, rakija, smoked meats, and seasonal produce. The best place for a morning food experience in Belgrade.

Hours: 6AM-4PM daily

Kalenić Market

One of Belgrade's largest and most authentic neighborhood markets spanning several blocks in the Vracar district. Particularly strong on wild mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and fresh dairy from nearby rural producers.

Hours: 6AM-3PM daily

Liman Market, Novi Sad

Vojvodinian regional market with excellent local produce reflecting the multicultural culinary heritage of Vojvodina — Hungarian paprika, sunflower oil, fresh cheeses, and homemade sausages from Serbian, Hungarian, and Slovak producers.

Hours: 7AM-2PM daily