Sarajevo’s food blends Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences into a cuisine that favours grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, and flaky phyllo pastry. In 2026, the best meal in the city is often the cheapest: a plate of ćevapi in Baščaršija or a warm burek slice from a street bakery. A sit-down lunch or dinner runs 15–28 BAM (≈8–14 €) at most traditional restaurants.
Must-Try Dishes
Ćevapi - Sarajevo’s signature
Grilled minced-meat sausages (beef or beef-lamb blend) served in flatbread (somun) with raw onions, kajmak (clotted cream), and ajvar (roasted-pepper relish). Sarajevo’s Baščaršija ćevabdžinice are widely considered the best in Bosnia.
- Price: 5–8 BAM (≈2.5–4 €) for 10 pieces with bread
- Where: Ćevabdžinica Zeljo, Petica, Nune (all in Baščaršija)
Burek - the Bosnian pastry rule
In Bosnia, burek means only beef-filled phyllo pastry. Cheese-filled is sirnica; potato-filled is krompiruša. Sold by the slice in buregdžinice bakeries all day.
- Price: 2–5 BAM (≈1–2.5 €) per slice
- Where: Buregdzinica Bosna and Buregdzinica Sac, both in Baščaršija
Bosanski lonac - Bosnian pot
A slow-cooked clay-pot stew of beef or lamb layered with cabbage, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. One of Bosnia’s most distinctive dishes. Often large enough to share.
- Price: 15–25 BAM (≈8–13 €)
- Where: Bašča kod Ene, Zara iz Duvara
Klepe - Bosnian dumplings
Small beef-filled dumplings similar to ravioli, served with beans or gravy. A Sarajevo specialty.
- Price: 12–18 BAM (≈6–9 €)
- Where: Bašča kod Ene, Zara iz Duvara
Sarma and stuffed vegetables
- Sarma: cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, simmered in tomato sauce
- Punjene paprike: stuffed bell peppers with meat and rice
- Sogan dolma: onions stuffed with meat and rice
Price: 12–18 BAM (≈6–9 €) per plate.
Pljeskavica - grilled beef patty
Minced-beef patty (often with cheese or cream core) served in a bun with onions and ajvar. The Balkan burger.
- Price: 8–14 BAM (≈4–7 €)
Grah and grašak - bean and pea stews
Thick, warming stews. Grah (bean stew) can be ordered “bez mesa” (without meat) for a vegetarian version. Budget-friendly lunch option.
- Price: 8–14 BAM (≈4–7 €)
Ustipci and Bosnian pastries
Small fried dough balls served with jam, cheese, or powdered sugar. Also available: baklava, tufahije (whole apple stuffed with walnut cream), hurmašice (syrup-soaked biscuits), and kadaif (shredded wheat in syrup).
- Price: 3–7 BAM (≈1.5–3.5 €) per portion
Bosnian coffee and rakija
Bosnian coffee (Turkish-style, brewed in a copper džezva) is the city’s daily ritual - drink it slowly. Rakija (plum or fruit brandy) is the standard after-dinner drink.
- Coffee: 2–4 BAM; Rakija: 2–4 BAM per shot
Best Restaurants
| Restaurant | Style | Best dishes |
|---|---|---|
| Ćevabdžinica Zeljo | Street food, fast | Best ćevapi in Old Town |
| Buregdzinica Bosna/Sac | Bakery | Beef burek, sirnica, krompiruša |
| Bašča kod Ene | Traditional | Klepe, pljeskavica, stews |
| Zara iz Duvara | Traditional | Bosanski lonac, dolma, stuffed veg |
| Šeherezada | Traditional | Full spread, sit-down groups |
| Inat Kuća | Atmospheric | Mixed grill platters, local wines |
Typical Food Costs in Sarajevo (2026)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (café) | 2–4 BAM (1–2 €) | 4–6 BAM (2–3 €) | 6–10 BAM (3–5 €) |
| Lunch (ćevapi/burek) | 6–10 BAM (3–5 €) | 10–15 BAM (5–7.5 €) | 15–20 BAM (7.5–10 €) |
| Dinner (sarma/klepe/pljeskavica) | 12–18 BAM (6–9 €) | 18–25 BAM (9–12.5 €) | 25–35+ BAM (13+ €) |
| Coffee or rakija | 2–4 BAM per drink | 4–8 BAM for two | 8–12 BAM |
| Daily food total | 25–40 BAM (13–20 €) | 45–65 BAM (23–33 €) | 60–80+ BAM (30–40+ €) |
How to Order Like a Local
- Ask for domaća hrana (home-style food) to get stews and local dishes rather than tourist menus
- Use “bez mesa” (without meat) for vegan-adapted stews and pastries
- Break your sugar cube, put half in the džezva with your coffee - the correct Bosnian approach
- The standing ćevabdžinica (no-frills grill) is always faster and usually better than the tourist-facing restaurant
See also
- Sarajevo city guide
- Best restaurants in Sarajevo
- Bosnia and Herzegovina travel guide
- Best food in Bosnia
- Mostar vs Sarajevo
- Balkan food guide
Plan your trip: Browse guided tours of Sarajevo - food tours and guided walks are a great way to get into the eating scene. Sort travel insurance before you fly, and grab a Balkans eSIM for data when you land.