What to Eat in the Balkans: The Most Famous Dishes and the Best Places to Find Them
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Dive into the fascinating world of Balkan cuisine! From ćevapi and burek to moussaka and ajvar... Discover the most famous Balkan dishes and the best places to try them with guidance from Gezpoint experts. An unforgettable culinary journey awaits you!
Hello, travelers and food lovers! At Gezpoint, we invite you to discover the unique cuisine of the Balkans, a region that captivates visitors with its flavors, history, and culture. This mystical corner of southeastern Europe is a gastronomic paradise, shaped by the deep influence of the Ottoman Empire and a blend of Mediterranean and Central European flavors. If you’re wondering, “What should I eat in the Balkans?”, you’ve come to the right place! With tips from our expert guides, we’ve rounded up the Balkans’ most famous dishes and where to find them. Fasten your seat belts, because this is going to be a feast for the senses!
The Heart of Balkan Cuisine: Main Courses
Cevapi (Ćevapčići): Meet the Balkans’ Grilled Meatballs!
One of the undisputed “kings” of Balkan cuisine, cevapi is a signature dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. These small meatballs are made with spiced ground beef and/or lamb, grilled, and usually served with a special flatbread called somun, chopped onion, and fresh kaymak. Every bite is a feast in itself.
Where to Eat It? Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo): Places such as “Željo” and “Ferhatović” offer an authentic cevapi experience in Sarajevo’s famous Baščaršija. Cevapi is usually served in portions of 5 or 10. Serbia (Belgrade): Popular restaurants such as “Walter Sarajevski Ćevap” and “To Je To” are among the best places to try Serbian-style cevapi.
Burek: A Different Legend on Every Corner!
Visiting the Balkans without trying burek would be a big mistake! This exceptional dish is made with paper-thin pastry filled with a variety of ingredients, such as ground meat, cheese, potatoes, or spinach, and comes in different versions across the Balkan countries.
Where to Eat It? Bosnia and Herzegovina: Here, burek is called “pita” and is usually baked in a large pan and sold by the slice. Follow the signs for “pekara” (bakery) and “buregdžinica” (burek shop) to find the freshest burek. The burek cooked on a metal griddle in Sarajevo is especially delicious. Albania: Albanian burek, known as “byrek,” is enjoyed at every meal, from breakfast to dinner. Be sure to try the varieties sold at small local bakeries along the roads.
Moussaka: A Story of Layered Flavor
A delicious combination of eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel sauce, moussaka is one of the heartiest and most popular dishes in Balkan cuisine. In Greece, it is made with a richer, thicker béchamel sauce, while other Balkan countries (North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia) offer simpler versions, sometimes made with potatoes.
Where to Eat It? Traditional restaurants in the style of a “mehana” (tavern) or “kafana” are the best places to try moussaka. Be sure to sample it with a local beer at a traditional restaurant in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Sarma: A Must-Have at Traditional Winter Tables
A staple of Turkish cuisine, sarma is also a much-loved dish across the Balkans. A rice and ground-meat filling is wrapped in cabbage or vine leaves and slowly cooked to create a distinctive flavor. Especially on cold winter days, a hot plate of sarma is an essential part of a Balkan meal.
Where to Eat It? Many traditional restaurants and family-run eateries across the Balkans have sarma on the menu. In the cities you visit, especially in winter (Belgrade, Sarajevo, Sofia), you can find its homemade flavor at small local restaurants.
Pljeskavica: Savor the Balkan Burger
A large, spiced meat patty, pljeskavica is an important part of the street-food culture in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is usually served in a special flatbread with plenty of onion, ajvar, and sometimes kaymak. It makes a hearty meal and is perfect for a quick bite on the go.
Where to Eat It? “Roštilj” (grill) shops in Serbia and fast-food-style places in Bosnia and Herzegovina are the best spots for pljeskavica. Eating pljeskavica after a night out in Belgrade is a tradition.
Balkan Table Staples and Meze
Ajvar: The Wonder of Red Peppers
One of the most popular meze dishes in Balkan cuisine, ajvar is made by carefully preparing roasted red peppers and eggplant. It can be enjoyed at breakfast, alongside meat dishes, or simply spread on bread. It comes in sweet, hot, and mildly hot varieties.
Where to Eat It? It is available at almost every restaurant and grocery store, especially in Serbia and North Macedonia. We highly recommend visiting local markets to find homemade ajvar.
Kaymak: A Touch of Heaven
A rich, creamy dairy delight, kaymak is usually served in the Balkans at breakfast with honey or jam, or alongside cevapi. Its melt-in-your-mouth texture is truly addictive.
Where to Eat It? You can find fresh kaymak at traditional breakfast spots and cevapi restaurants in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
Shopska Salad: A Colorful Starter
Originating in Bulgaria, Shopska salad is a refreshing dish made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and plenty of grated white cheese. It is a great accompaniment to any meal.
Where to Eat It? It is on the menu at almost every restaurant in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Desserts and Drinks: A Delicious Finale
Trileçe: A Three-Milk Wonder
Recently gaining popularity in Türkiye as well, trileçe is a cake dessert traditionally associated with Albanian and Montenegrin cuisine. It is soaked in three kinds of milk (usually cow’s, goat’s, and buffalo’s milk) and topped with caramel or fruit. Light and refreshing, it’s sure to become a favorite.
Where to Eat It? You can try the most authentic trileçe at bakeries and cafés in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Montenegro’s coastal cities also serve this dessert well.
Tulumbe and Baklava: A Dance of Syrup
Baklava and tulumbe, which have similarities to Turkish cuisine, are also popular syrup-soaked desserts across the Balkans. Balkan baklava may be made with fewer pistachios or walnuts, contain more syrup, and use a slightly different pastry. Tulumbe is made by dipping fried dough in syrup, leaving a sweet impression on the palate.
Where to Eat Them? They are widely available at bakeries and dessert shops throughout the Balkan countries. The selection grows especially during Ramadan and the holiday season.
Rakija: A Spirit That Warms the Soul
The traditional alcoholic drink of the Balkans, rakija is a strong fruit brandy made from fruit such as plums (“šljivovica”), grapes (“lozovača”), quince, or apricots. It plays an important role in welcoming guests and social rituals. There are even places where people start the day with a small glass, much like morning coffee!
Where to Drink It? It is served in traditional “kafanas” or “mehanas,” after a meal or over conversation. Homemade varieties are usually more flavorful.
Gourmet Tips from Gezpoint
Visit Local Markets: Lively local markets across the Balkans are the best places to find not only fresh produce, but also homemade cheeses, jams, ajvar, and other regional specialties. Experience a “Kafana”: Traditional Balkan restaurants known as “kafanas” are wonderful places not only to eat, but also to listen to local music and observe the way of life. Be sure to experience one. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Street Food: Dishes such as cevapi and pljeskavica are at their freshest and most authentic at street stalls and small food stands. Try the Local Drinks: Besides rakija, every country’s distinctive local wines and beers are also worth sampling.
A Culinary Journey Through the Balkans Awaits!
Balkan cuisine is more than just food; it is a way of life, reflecting shared memories, warm conversations, and deep-rooted traditions. These lands, steeped in history in every bite, are ready to leave an unforgettable impression on your palate. Are you ready to taste these unique dishes where they originated and make unforgettable memories in the heart of the Balkans?
Explore our specially curated tours with Gezpoint’s expert guides to discover the Balkans’ flavor-filled routes and experience the region’s cultural riches! Come and set off on a delicious Balkan adventure with Gezpoint!