Food to Try in Belgrade 2026: 12 Must-Eat Serbian Dishes and Best Spots

Belgrade feeds you on a loop: strong grilled meats, tangy vegetable relishes, and sweet pastry — all at prices that feel remarkably generous for a European capital. In 2026, a mains-style meal at a mid-range kafana runs roughly €8–15, snacks like burek cost €2–4, and a rakija shot is €2–4.

The Grill: Ćevapi, Pljeskavica, and Roštilj

Ćevapi (ćevapčići)

Small grilled sausages from minced beef and pork, served on somun or lepinja bread with fried onions, ajvar, and kajmak. The most accessible entry point into Belgrade’s grill culture.

• Where: Ćevabdžinica Cica just off Knez Mihailova — classic, no-frills, consistent
• Price: €6–10 for 10 pieces with bread and sauce

Pljeskavica and gurmanska pljeskavica

A flat, 15–20cm minced-meat patty, grilled fresh. The “gurmanska” version is stuffed with kajmak inside, then served in a lepinja with more toppings — one of the richest sandwiches in the city.

• Where: Ćevap kod Dekija is the most praised spot for stuffed pljeskavica
• Price: €5–10 for a standard portion; gurmanska €10–14

Roštilj platters and other grilled dishes

Mixed platters of sausages, skewers (ražnjići), veal cutlets, and pork. Good when you want more range than a single patty. Weekend favorite: pečenje (roasted pork or lamb, 300g with salad and lepinja). For the adventurous, škembići (tripe soup with bread and vinegar) is one of the oldest Serbian dishes.

• Price: Mixed roštilj platter €12–18 for two

Stews and Comfort Food

Sarma

Cabbage rolls filled with minced pork/beef and rice, simmered in tomato-based sauce. One of Serbia’s most ceremonial dishes — served at family gatherings and featured in most kafanas.

• Where: Any busy kafana in Skadarlija or the old center
• Price: €8–12

Pasulj and prebranac

Pasulj: White-bean soup or stew with smoked meat, onions, and paprika, served with bread, €5–7. Prebranac: Baked beans with a thicker, drier texture — the vegan-friendly option in traditional restaurants, €4 a side.

Shopska / Srpska salad

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion, and grated white cheese. The standard starter at every kafana. Srpska variant adds kajmak.

• Price: €4–5 shared portion

Pastries and Breads

Burek and gibanica

Burek: Flaky layered phyllo filled with cheese or meat, baked and sliced. Rich, oily, and filling — a classic Belgrade breakfast.

• Where: Bakeries like Bobe; grab it before sightseeing
• Price: €2–4 a slice

Gibanica: Thicker egg-and-cheese phyllo pie with a golden crust. Can include spinach or pumpkin variants.

• Price: €3–5

Pita savijača: Rolled spiral pie with jam, cheese, or meat — appears at markets and holiday-style spreads.

The Essential Trio: Ajvar, Kajmak, Rakija

Ajvar: Roasted red-pepper and eggplant relish with garlic and chili — the standard condiment for any grilled dish. Ask for it on the table if it does not appear automatically.

Kajmak: Rich, slightly sour clotted-cream spread somewhere between butter and soft cheese. What makes a gurmanska pljeskavica extraordinary.

Rakija: Serbian fruit brandy (plum/quince/grape), 40–50% ABV. Shot served before or after meals — sometimes complimentary in traditional kafanas. €2–4 a shot.

Karađorđeva šnicla

Veal or pork cutlet rolled around kajmak, breaded, and deep-fried, served with tartar sauce and baked potatoes. Serbia’s answer to cordon bleu — one of the most photographed dishes in Belgrade.

• Where: Traditional restaurants in Skadarlija, especially Tri Šešira
• Price: €12–18

Where to Eat in Belgrade

• Znak pitanja (”?”): Historic kafana with mixed appetizer plates — pršut, ajvar, duvan-čvarci, cured meats
• Tri Šešira (Skadarlija): Sarma, karađorđeva šnicla, live music in Skadarlija
• Bobe bakery: Classic burek breakfast before sightseeing
• Ćevap kod Dekija: Best stuffed pljeskavica in the city center
• Durmitor: Reliable comfort-food kafana popular with locals

3-Day Eating Plan

Day 1: Znak pitanja for a spread-style aperitif and appetizer plate → kafana dinner in Skadarlija.

Day 2: Burek breakfast at Bobe → gurmanska pljeskavica at Ćevap kod Dekija for lunch → evening drinks.

Day 3: Tri Šešira in Skadarlija for sarma, karađorđeva šnicla, and rakija.

Price Summary

Item	Price (€)
Burek slice or pita	2–4
Coffee	1.5–2.5
Ćevapi or pljeskavica plate	6–12
Sarma or karađorđeva šnicla	12–18
Mixed roštilj platter	15–25
Rakija shot	2–4
Beer or wine	3–5

Two days of eating mixing snack-style stops with kafana dinners can stay comfortably under €40–50 if you share dishes and stick to local restaurants.