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
A Sarajevo market and old town food tasting tour covers the key Bosnian dishes in Baščaršija — or the Grbavica walking food tour for the neighbourhood eating scene beyond the old town. Book accommodation in Sarajevo in Baščaršija or near Ferhadija for walking access to all the best eating.
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.