Exploring Traditional Serbian Food: A Journey Through Belgrade

Ćao, foodies!

Today, we're embarking on a food journey through the city of Belgrade. We spent nearly a month there, each day exploring the local cuisine, and trying out food in Belgrade that were both hard to pronounce, yet incredibly delicious.

Beginning the Journey: First Bites in Belgrade

Our adventure in Belgrade started on the second day with an invitation to lunch from our friend Gordie, or Goca. She introduced us to some local delicacies. First up, we tasted popara, an old Serbian dish consisting of boiled day-old bread mixed with kajmak — a creamy, fatty cheese made from milk fat. This breakfast dish was surprisingly tasty and comforting.

Next, we sampled uštípci, small fried dumplings that are doughy inside, similar to doughnuts. Traditionally served for breakfast, they pair well with salty sides like feta cheese and ajvar. Speaking of ajvar, it's one of my favorite discoveries in the Balkans. Made from roasted red peppers and eggplant, mixed with garlic, oil, and vinegar, ajvar is tangy and perfect for spreading on bread.

Restaurant to try: Prekoputa Proleća

A Quick Intro to Serbian Food 🇷🇸🍖

We are just going to list a few of our favorites items here, but check here for more:

Burek: A delectably oily filo pastry pie layered with different types of fillings. Our favorite is with a feta-cheese, but you can do it with meat and/or spinach as well
Pljeskavica: Serbia's take on a burger, but righteously exploding with way more flavor than a burger. If you want to be extra naughty, try Pljeskavica na kajmaku, which is the patty with a melting sour cream-like sauce on top.
Karađorđeva šnicla: Literally translates to "a young woman's dream", due to the shape of it being...quite phallic. In all innocence, it is just rolled up pork that is deep fried in a batter and served with Kajmak (sour cream).
Ćevapi: Minced meat formed into little sausages and served in flat bread.
Shopska salad: Finally something healthy(-ish). This is a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers; tossed in an oil and vinegar dressing, and finally topped with loads of shredded Balkan-style cheese. Also check out Kupus (cabbage) salad for something lighter.
Ajvar: A tangy red pepper- and eggplant-based dip or spread. It is the Balkan's answer to hummus or baba ganoush.
Sarma: Ground meat wrapped in cabbage (kupus) and baked (or fried) to perfection.

Hearty and Wholesome: The Essence of Serbian Cuisine

As we enjoyed these dishes, it became clear that Serbian cuisine is hearty and filling. Historically, these meals sustained people through hard, physical labor. Lunch is typically the main meal of the day, with a somewhat lighter dinner — although this varies.

For a unique dining experience, head to Skardalija, the bohemian quarter of Belgrade. Cobblestone streets, folk musicians, and traditional Serbian songs create an incredible ambiance. The atmosphere is as much a part of the experience as the food itself. Just be prepared to leave smelling like smoke, as public smoking is common 🚬.

"Skardalija" Restaurants to try: Kolubaru u Šoru, Velika Skardalija Restaurant, Tri šešira

Karađorđeva šnicla, a traditional Serbian food, served on a white plate with roasted potatoes, a slice of orange, and a dipping sauce. The dish consists of a breaded and fried meat roll, garnished with a small dollop of butter.

Literally translates to 'a young woman's dream', due to the shape of it being...quite phallic.

Desserts in Serbia: Knedles That Make Anyone Drool

We stumbled upon a little bakery that served a multitude of knedles, or little potato-based dumplings coming from the Austro-Hungarian side of things, that are filled with gorgeous, sweet, molten centers and puts doughnuts to shame.

Knedle Bakery to try: Ferdinand Knedle

A display case of assorted knedle desserts, a traditional Serbian food, in Belgrade. The case features various flavors and colors, each labeled, including options like chocolate cherry and raspberry.

Two knedle desserts, a traditional Serbian food, served on a green plate with a bottle of mineral water in the background. The knedles are coated in different toppings, one with crumbs and the other with a nutty mixture.

Savoring Serbian Spirits: Rakija and Craft Beers

No Serbian meal is complete without trying rakija, a potent fruit brandy distilled from various fruits like plum, apricot, and quince. It's deeply woven into Serbian culture, used as a remedy for ailments, and a staple at both celebrations and funerals. On our last day, Gordie gave us a bottle of homemade rakija, a touching gesture that speaks to its cultural significance.

Additionally, Belgrade’s craft beer scene is growing. Breweries like Salto, Kabinet, and Dogma create some incredible concoctions.

Check out our Belgrade guide for our favorite bars to drinks rakija and craft beer!

Two glasses of Salto beer from Belgrade, a popular beverage enjoyed with traditional Serbian food, placed on a wooden table with coasters. The beer glasses are half-full, with foam at the top, and people in the background enjoying their drinks.

Historic Flavors: Influences in Serbian Cuisine

One of the fascinating things about traditional Serbian food is how it reflects the country's rich history. Belgrade, with roots tracing back 7000 years, has been built and rebuilt numerous times. Its strategic location has seen it influenced by various empires — Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Byzantine — and this blend is evident in its cuisine.

Endless Serbian Street Food

During our stay, we had some unforgettable dishes. We stumbled upon a burek shop one night, lured by its enticing aroma. Burek is a flaky pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, filled with cheese, meat, or spinach. It’s oily, rich, and incredibly filling.

Across the street, we found a spot serving pljeskavica, a Serbian-style burger made from a mix of meats and spices, served in pita bread with spicy cheese and pork fat bits. The combination of flavors and textures was nothing short of orgasmic.

Street-Food Restaurants to try: Cevonik Vruć Burek

Crispy, golden-brown burek, a traditional Serbian food, served on a white plate. The flaky pastry is filled with greens and meat, showcasing its crunchy texture and savory filling.

Burek literally oozing with oil 🤩

A small restaurant in Serbia called 'Hot Pie' that specializes in burek, a traditional Serbian food. The storefront features bright yellow signage with pictures of various burek types and prices, with a vendor in a white cap visible inside.

Burek literally oozing with oil 🤩

Escaping the City: A Taste of Serbian Countryside

We decided to change our pace from the city and headed to the countryside with Gordie. We visited a local lodge, which offered a taste of the region’s rustic charm. Again, folk music set the scene as we indulged in traditional dishes. We tried dimljena butkica (od mangulice) u kajmaku, or smoked pork flank (of mangulica) in kajmak 🤩, šopska salata, a refreshing salad, doused in Balkan cheese, all paired with roasted spicy peppers in garlic and olive oil.

Shopska salad, a traditional Serbian food, served in a glass bowl. The salad includes fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, topped with a generous amount of grated white cheese.

A plate of traditional Serbian food featuring a variety of dishes including roasted meat, fresh vegetable salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, and a side of pickled vegetables.

For dessert, we had šnenokle, a fluffy concoction of whipped egg whites, yolk and sugar, and krempita, a delightful custard pie. These sweet treats perfectly rounded off our adventurous culinary journey.

Restaurant to try (close to Novi Sad): Pajin salaš

Conclusion

Thank you, or Hvala, as they say in Serbia, for joining us on this delicious journey through Belgrade and exploring traditional Serbian food. This city, with its rich history, offers a vibrant tapestry of flavors that you must experience firsthand. If you enjoyed reading about our adventures, please give this post a thumbs-up and subscribe for more.

Živeli, or "to life", and until next time!