Discover the ultimate culinary experience in the Serbian capital with this guide to the best Belgrade restaurants.
The things we eat in different places directly reflect their culture and history, which is immediately apparent when dining in Belgrade.
Mediterranean, Austro-Hungarian, Turkish, and local Slavic culture have all influenced Serbian cuisine. Whether grilled, dried, fried, pickled, or preserved, the ingredients celebrate a long, varied history that Serbia has turned into something delicious.
You cannot miss traditional, local Serbian cuisine, but that is not all Belgrade offers. While the views from the Danube might remain the same over the decades, the food culture of Belgrade has undergone a transition.
This guide to the best restaurants in Belgrade will help you navigate the city’s evolving food scene.
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Best Belgrade Restaurants
Manufaktura
Topping our list of where to eat in Belgrade is Manufaktura – it is a must! This restaurant is easy to find right off the main pedestrian area in Belgrade. Look for the courtyard filled with red umbrellas!
Manufaktura is a Serbian restaurant putting a modern twist on traditional recipes while sourcing all of its ingredients from Serbia! If you want the best food in Belgrade – come here!
Manufaktura is a great spot for a few drinks and small plates, but they also have delicious mains, burgers, and breakfast. Prices range from $2 to $7 for small plates and $6 to $18 for mains.
Funk & Soul Pub
Another great place to visit in the pedestrian area is the Funk & Soul Pub. The music is always good, the craft beer is local and cold, and the food is fresh and delicious!
Open until 1 am every day of the week, this is the best restaurant in Belgrade for some late-night eats! The burgers are a must-try, along with the house craft beer. Prices range from $4 to $8.
Bloom
This charming little Belgrade cafe is a short walk from the pedestrian area and serves up tasty bites for breakfast and brunch. They focus on simple, healthy foods and have lovely coffee and pressed juices.
We love the relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff at this dog-friendly spot! Prices range from $2 to $5.
Little Bay
For a unique dining experience, check out Little Bay and try to figure out if it is an opera in a restaurant, or a restaurant in an opera! A short walk from Republic Square, they have live music almost every evening and a varied menu with a french bistro style.
The duck confit, sea bass, and stuffed chicken are delicious and well-priced; entree prices range from $8 to $13.
Related: Belgrade, Serbia City Guide
TAO Thai Restaurant
This little gem is located on a quiet street in the Vracar neighborhood of Belgrade. You may not have thought you could find authentic Thai food in Belgrade, but the chef/owner Zoran (who graduated from the Bangkok Culinary Institute) brings great Thai food to the city.
Zoran worked for years at some of the best restaurants in Thailand before deciding to return to Belgrade and open a restaurant. The food is delicious, and they have a wide variety of meat and vegetarian options, with a chef very willing to adjust menu items.
Zoran is very friendly, always walking around the restaurant chatting with diners to make sure they enjoy his food. This spot is a must when that Thai food craving hits! Entrees run from $4 to $9.
Wok Republic
Serving up fast and delicious Asian-inspired cuisine, Wok Republic is a funky, street-food-style restaurant in Dorćol. The noodle and rice dishes here are delicious and made to order with an open kitchen concept, so you get a bit of a show while you wait.
You can eat in, but our favorite thing to do is get our order for takeaway, grab a few beers, and head to one of the spots overlooking the river at the Kalemegdan Fortress Park. Prices range from $4 to $7.
Samo Pivo
Half the fun of Samo Pivo is trying to find it, but we’ll give you a little clue. It’s underground!
One of our favorite Belgrade bars, Samo Pivo, is a craft beer lover’s paradise! With over 30 beers on tap from the best breweries around Europe and an extensive list of over 100 bottled beers worldwide.
Their house IPA is delicious, and prices are very reasonable, ranging from $2 to $4.
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Gusan Tavern
If you’re looking for a real neighborhood restaurant serving authentic Serbian food, Gusan Tavern is well worth visiting.
We stumbled upon this gem while walking back to our apartment after visiting Saint Sava. You’ll need to have your Google translate ready! The menu is only in Serbian (and the staff speaks very little English), but don’t let that deter you! Always filled with locals, the food is excellent, and the rakia is homemade.
This restaurant may be a bit off the tourist path, but that makes it all the better! Prices range from $2 to $7.
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Pelivan
When you are craving something sweet, head straight to Pelivan, this little shop has the most delicious Serbian sweets and homemade ice cream.
Grab it to-go and head to the beautiful Tasmajdan Park across the street! Prices range from $2 to $4 for a single serving.
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Krafter
Not a place to eat, but walking up and down all the hills of Dorćol searching for street art, can make you pretty thirsty. If you are a fan of craft beer, Krafter is a must-visit, serving up the best Serbian craft beers on draft.
Prices are a little higher than others but compared to the US, Krafter is a steal! Prices range from $2.50 to $4 for beers and $2 to $3 for snacks.
Walter
If you are looking for a spot to try some local, new Balkan cuisine, this is your stop! Walter serves up delicious and fresh Serbia favorites like Cevapi, Pljeskavica, Shopska Salad, and more with several locations around the city.
Walter is also budget-friendly! A small Cevapi, fries, and draft beer will only set you back about $4.50 a glass! Most menu items run from $2 to $5.
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Splav Viva
One unique thing to do in Belgrade is visiting a Splav: the floating restaurants, clubs, and bars along the riverfront.
One of our favorite spots is Viva. They have a large menu of pizza and burgers, more traditional Serbian favorites, and an extensive drink list. Viva is a great place to grab snacks and a few drinks to enjoy the sunset or watch the boats pass by.
Prices range from $4 to $8 for snacks and $9+ for entrees. For the location, drink prices are very good: beers are $2 to $3, and cocktails are $3 to $5.
Dogma Brewery and Tap Room
Beer in Belgrade goes hand in hand with good food. If you are lucky enough to visit around the end of August, you can catch the Belgrade Beer Festival. The streets of Stari Grad are shut down and lined with brewers selling their best stuff, and it is something to check out.
Belgrade offers some fantastic places to grab a cold one and relax for the rest of the year. It’s a bit outside the city, but a trip out to Dogma Brewery is well worth it!
Home to our favorite Serbian Craft beer Hoptopod, Dogma has a great food menu, tons of outdoor seating, and a dog-friendly atmosphere! Plus, it’s within walking distance of one of Belgrade’s best beaches. Yes, you’re reading that right! Belgrade has beautiful river beaches and an island that is worth a visit.
As with most craft beer in Belgrade, prices are very fair at $2.50 to $4, with takeaway 32-oz cans for $6!
Pro Tip: Get a pre-paid SIM card for Serbia before you take off!
Sidro
We love the Zemun Neighborhood of Belgrade: the winding streets, long riverside walk, and history almost make you feel like you’re in a different city.
Zemun is full of cafes, restaurants and home to some of Belgrade’s best Splav’s. Sidro is a small floating restaurant serving up some delicious Serbian food! The menu is only in Serbian, but the servers speak English and are very helpful.
Go for lunch or early dinner and grab one of the outdoor tables right on the water for the best views of the river! Prices range from $2 to $6.
Mezestoran Dvoriste
One of our favorite places to eat in Belgrade isn’t a Serbian restaurant; it’s a Mediterranean one! After spending months at a time in Belgrade, we start to miss Greek & Mediterranean food. When the craving hits, we make a reservation at Mezestoran Dvoriste.
This place is especially great in the summer, with a beautiful outdoor terrace full of flowers and bright blue and white furniture. You will feel as if you’ve been transported to Greece.
The menu features delicious seafood and salads as well as a great wine list. Prices range from $3 to $7 for small plates to $8 to $13 for entrees.
More Places to Eat in Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade has delicious food and drinks around every corner, and we touched on a very small number of them in this guide. A few other places to find great food in Belgrade are:
Skadarlija is the bohemian quarter of Belgrade; it is home to many traditional restaurants with live traditional music. Many people enjoy walking the tree-lined, cobblestone streets when they visit Belgrade.
The area offers a beautiful atmosphere with many restaurants; some highly rated ones are Tri Sesira, Moj Sesir, and Dva Jelena. Skadarlija is a place to people watch and be seen, so it is popular with tourists. The prices reflect that, so they are higher. If you’re on a budget, grab some takeaway and soak in the ambiance while eating on a nearby bench.
For a region that considers pork a vegetable, there is a surprisingly good variety of vegetarian and vegan options in the city. One such place is Mayka. They are making it their mission to put a veggie twist on regional favorites and only serve vegan and vegetarian options. It’s a great spot, with beautiful decor and friendly staff.
New Belgrade is the newest built section of the city, and it sits on the other side of the Sava River. Restorant Durmitor has an extensive menu featuring Serbian favorites and a beautiful outdoor terrace if you find yourself in this area.
Guides for nearby cities:
With pubs all over the city, The Black Turtle Brewery is a great place to stop for a pint. Opened in 2010, they are one of the oldest craft breweries in Serbia. Prices on their beers start at only $1.60! Our favorite locations are near Stari Grad for a gorgeous view of the river or near Varcar for a homey, old-time pub feel.
LULU bakery has shops all over the city and is our favorite place to grab breakfast, a quick bite, or fresh bread. In every location we have ever visited, the staff is extremely friendly and provides excellent service. The prices are very reasonable, and everything they offer is delicious: the pizza slice, veggie lasagna, and cinnamon rolls are not to be missed!
Lastly, for those looking to splurge a bit on fine dining, treat yourself to the ultimate culinary experience at Salon 1905, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Belgrade. Their innovative tasting menu and breathtaking views of old town Belgrade are sure to make for an unforgettable meal that is worth every penny.
In our opinion, it’s hard to have a truly bad meal in Belgrade, but if it exists, you will not find it if you use this guide.
We have done the hard, laborious task of trying all this delicious food for you. Now all you have to do is come to Belgrade, follow our guide, and dine well.
As Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.” Enjoy!
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