Expat Serbia

Serbian cuisine

First of all, Serbs are very very proud of their food and they should be, having a rich cuisine and a large diversity of alcohol beverages that accompany these amazing dishes.

The whole cuisine is derived from a mixture of influences coming from Mediterranean, especially Greek influences, Hungary, Turkish and Austrian cuisines. Serbia has a lot to offer to hedonists so eating out, to catch local flavors, is an unforgettable experience and a highlight for many visitors and expats. Serbians love their food and although meat takes the majority of the Serbian table there is still room for a passion about fish and seafood.

Depending on the country region, you can find different methods to cook a traditional classic meal. The Serbian cuisine is rich in fat meals, and almost every dish contains meat or its derivates. The most popular national dishes include Pljeskavica (similar to the hamburger), Ćevapčići (grilled minced meat usually eaten with plain onions and bread), Sarma (cabbage filled with minced meat), Stuffed Peppers, Serbian beans, Musaka (baked minced pork with eggs and potatoes), Karadjordje's steak, Gibanica (pastry), Proja (corn bread) etc. Grilling is very popular in Serbia. Makes the primary offer of main courses in most restaurants and it’s often eaten as fast food. Some of the amazing recipes could be found in Serbian food recipes section. 

The one certain thing about the Serbian cuisine is the fact that all people in this country will usually serve three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast in Serbia is an early but hearty meal. Don’t forget to taste Burek-Balkan’s specialty, pastry made of a thin flaky dough and filled with cheese, meet, mushrooms or just plain. Lunch is the most important one and has three courses: soup, the main course, and a dessert. If someone invites you to have homemade meal, don’t reject, it’s insulting. Dinner is not that important meal so sandwiches are usually eaten for it. 

The most popular alcoholic drinks are brandy; plum brandy (šljivovica) and grape brandy (Lozova rakija), wine and beer.

Rakia (“rakija”) is a strong, alcoholic beverage made from distilled fermented fruit juice, it tastes similar to brandy. Common flavours are slivovica, produced from plums, Kajsijevaca, produced from apricots and lozovaca, made from grapes. Fruits less commonly used are peaches, apples, pears, cherry, figs, and quinces. Plum and grape rakia are sometimes mixed with other ingredients, such as herbs, honey, sour cherries and walnuts, after distillation. Thru Belgrade town you can find specialized bars “RAKIA bar” offering many options to choose from.

Serbia’s wine (“vino”) has centuries of tradition behind them. Locally produced wines are popular and they are highly regarded. If you are wine lover, check out one of the following places:

• Compania de Vinos, Kaleniceva 3, Phone: +381 11 244 9407
• Vinodom, Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 10a/21, Novi Beograd, Phone: +381 11 311 8747
• Vinoteka, Makedonska 24, +381 11 322 4047
• Chianti, Lomina 41, +381 11 264 4148
• Veritas, Zmaj Jovina 27, Zemun, +381 11 311 8747
• Maisons de Vins, Požarevacka 13, +381 11 344 2422
• Hedonist, Kralja Milana 3, +381 11 322 8041
• Wonderland, Svetog Save 25, +381 11 383 0455
• Wine & Whiskey Store, Njegoševa 40, +381 11 308 7700
• Vinoteka Royal, Karadjordjeva 3, +381 11 303 3024
• Enoteka Premier, Straninjica Bana 13a, Phone: +381 11 291 0381
• Vinoteka 24, Prilaz 24, Zemun, Phone: +381 11 261 3125
• Wine Bar, Dositejeva 13, +381 11 262 6267

Specialized wine shops in Novi Sad:

• Wine Time, Železnicka 20, +381 21 427 874
• Vinodrom, Radnicka 4a, +381 21 424 114

Beer (“pivo”) is mostly sold in 0.34-liter and 0.5-liter glass bottles and the most bottles in use are deposit-type (reused bottles).· If the buyer doesn’t have empty 0.5 liter bottle when buying a new one, he can usually pay a deposit (“kaucija”), which is returned after returning the bottle to the retailer. Cans are less common. Recently, most breweries began packing their product in plastic Q-pack bottles of 1.5, 2 or even 2.5 liters. In bars and restaurants, beer is either served in 0.33 or 0.5L bottles, or as “draught” (točeno). Beer can be purchased in regular supermarkets and grocery stores all across Serbia. The most popular local beer is “Jelen”.

Belgrade Beer Fest was started in 2003, and it is held annually over 4 to 5 days in August as a showcase event for various beer producers. In addition to domestic and foreign brews, the festival features live music performances each evening. The festival is free.