Eating Well in Belgrade Is Easy — and Affordable
One of the great joys of visiting Belgrade is the food. Serbian cuisine is hearty, generous, and deeply satisfying, and the city's restaurant scene has evolved dramatically in recent years. You will find everything from traditional kafanas serving slow-cooked stews and grilled meats to sleek modern restaurants plating Balkan ingredients with Michelin-level precision.
If you are staying at Koala Apartments in Belgrade Waterfront or the West 65 area, you are in excellent proximity to some of the city's best dining. Many of these spots are within a 5- to 15-minute walk, and even the ones in the Old Town are no more than a short taxi ride away.
Here are 15 restaurants we consistently recommend to our guests, organized by vibe and cuisine so you can find the right place for every mood and occasion.
Fine Dining
1. Salon 1905
Cuisine: Modern European with Serbian influences Price: €€€ (35-60 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 15-minute walk (located near the National Assembly) Best for: Special occasions, romantic dinners, impressing someone
Salon 1905 is one of Belgrade's most celebrated fine dining restaurants. Set in a beautifully restored early 20th-century building, the interior is all dark wood, soft lighting, and understated elegance. The menu changes seasonally but consistently showcases the best Serbian produce — think lamb from Sjenica, Vojvodina duck, and Adriatic seafood — prepared with contemporary European technique. The wine list features excellent Serbian wines alongside international selections.
Reservation tip: Book at least 3 to 5 days in advance for weekend dinners. Weekday lunches are easier to get.
2. Comunale Caffe e Cucina
Cuisine: Italian Price: €€ to €€€ (20-40 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: Right on the Sava Promenada Best for: Riverside dining, date night, Sunday lunch
Comunale sits directly on the Belgrade Waterfront promenada with a sprawling terrace that overlooks the Sava River. The menu is Italian-focused with excellent pasta, risotto, and grilled fish. The ambiance is polished without being stuffy, making it equally suitable for a business dinner or a casual Saturday lunch. In summer, the terrace is the star — arriving by sunset is highly recommended.
Reservation tip: The terrace fills up fast on warm evenings. Reserve a day or two ahead for outdoor seating.
3. Ambar
Cuisine: Modern Balkan Price: €€ (fixed menu around 22-30 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 10-minute walk (Karadordjeva Street) Best for: Trying Serbian food for the first time, groups, adventurous eaters
Ambar's concept is unique and perfect for visitors: you pay a fixed price and the kitchen sends out a continuous stream of small plates featuring Balkan dishes. Expect smoked trout, ajvar bruschetta, cevapi sliders, stuffed peppers, and more. It is a culinary tour of the region in one sitting. The Belgrade location is the original — there are now outposts in Washington D.C. and New York, which gives you a sense of how well the concept translates.
Reservation tip: Recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings. Walk-ins are usually fine on weekdays.
Serbian Traditional
4. Dva Jelena (Two Deer)
Cuisine: Traditional Serbian Price: €€ (15-25 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 20-minute walk (Skadarlija) Best for: Authentic experience, live music, first-timers to Serbian cuisine
Dva Jelena is a Skadarlija institution, operating since the 19th century in Belgrade's bohemian quarter. The menu is a greatest-hits of Serbian cooking: karadjordjeva snicla (breaded rolled veal stuffed with kajmak), roasted lamb, grilled pljeskavica, shopska salad, and more. Live traditional music plays most evenings, and the atmosphere is warm and boisterous. Yes, it is touristy — but it is touristy for a reason.
Reservation tip: Reserve for dinner, especially on weekends. Lunch is more relaxed.
5. Tri Sesira (Three Hats)
Cuisine: Traditional Serbian Price: €€ (15-25 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 20-minute walk (Skadarlija) Best for: Live music, groups, cultural immersion
Right next door to Dva Jelena on Skadarlija, Tri Sesira offers a similar experience with its own character. The food is classic Serbian home cooking elevated just enough for a restaurant setting. The roasted meats are excellent, and the rakija selection is extensive. Many locals will tell you they prefer Tri Sesira over Dva Jelena, and vice versa. The honest answer is that both are excellent and the differences are minor. Pick whichever has a table available.
Pro Tip: Skadarlija is best experienced on foot. Walk from Belgrade Waterfront through Republic Square and down Skadarska Street. The 20-minute stroll takes you through the heart of the city and is beautiful in the evening.
6. Zavicaj
Cuisine: Traditional Serbian (home-style) Price: € to €€ (10-18 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 15-minute walk (Gavrila Principa Street) Best for: Lunch, authentic home-style cooking, value
Zavicaj translates to "homeland," and that is exactly the vibe. This is the kind of place where Serbian families go for Sunday lunch. The portions are enormous, the prices are modest, and the food tastes like it was made by someone's grandmother — because the recipes essentially were. Try the stuffed peppers, the bean soup (pasulj), or the veal stew. No frills, just genuinely excellent food.
Reservation tip: No reservation needed. Arrive by 13:00 for lunch to avoid a short wait.
Casual and Brunch
7. Toster Bar
Cuisine: Brunch, sandwiches, burgers Price: € (6-12 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: Multiple locations, closest in the Waterfront area Best for: Quick lunch, brunch, casual meal
Toster Bar has become a Belgrade favorite for casual, well-executed comfort food. The menu covers everything from avocado toast and eggs Benedict to substantial burgers and sandwiches. Coffee is solid, portions are generous, and the vibe is relaxed and youthful. It is the perfect place for a late morning meal before heading out to explore.
Reservation tip: Not needed. Counter service at most locations.
8. Supermarket Concept Store
Cuisine: Brunch, healthy bowls, coffee Price: € to €€ (8-15 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 12-minute walk (Uzun Mirkova Street, near Kalemegdan) Best for: Brunch, health-conscious eaters, Instagram-worthy interiors
Do not let the name mislead you — Supermarket is a beautifully designed cafe and restaurant in a converted space near Kalemegdan Fortress. The menu leans toward healthy and modern: smoothie bowls, salads, avocado dishes, and good coffee. The interior is photogenic without being pretentious, and it draws a mix of locals and visitors. A great spot for a slow weekend brunch before walking up to the fortress.
Reservation tip: Weekends get busy from 11:00 to 14:00. Arrive early or go on a weekday.
9. Pekara (Any Bakery)
Cuisine: Serbian bakery Price: € (1-3 euros) Distance from Waterfront: Everywhere Best for: Breakfast, snacks, budget-friendly bites
This is not a single restaurant but a category. Serbian bakeries — pekare — are everywhere and are an essential part of daily life. For a euro or two, you can get a burek (flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach), a gibanica (layered cheese pie), or a fresh bread roll. Pair it with a yogurt from the fridge and you have one of the best cheap breakfasts in Europe. Look for Hleb & Kifle or any neighborhood pekara — the ones with a line out the door are usually the best.
Asian and International
10. Sake Bar Devi
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi, Asian fusion Price: €€ (25-45 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: Right in the Waterfront area Best for: Date night, sushi lovers, cocktails
Sake Bar Devi is one of Belgrade's most stylish Asian restaurants, with a location right in the Waterfront development. The sushi and sashimi are fresh and well-prepared, and the cocktail menu — featuring sake-based creations — is worth exploring on its own. The interior is dark, moody, and intimate, making it a reliable choice for a special evening out.
Reservation tip: Reserve for Friday and Saturday dinner. Walk-ins are fine most other times.
11. Kabuki
Cuisine: Japanese, Pan-Asian Price: €€ (25-40 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 10-minute walk (Knez Mihailova area) Best for: High-quality sushi, business dinners, groups
Kabuki has long been one of Belgrade's top Japanese restaurants. The menu goes beyond sushi to include tempura, ramen, and robata grill items. The presentation is meticulous, and the fish quality is consistently high. Located near the pedestrian zone of Knez Mihailova, it is easy to combine with an evening walk through the Old Town.
Reservation tip: Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends.
Coffee Scene
12. Aviator Coffee Explorer
Cuisine: Specialty coffee, light snacks Price: € (3-6 euros) Distance from Waterfront: 10-minute walk (Savamala neighborhood) Best for: Coffee enthusiasts, morning ritual, laptop work
Aviator is part of Belgrade's growing specialty coffee movement. They roast their own beans, and the baristas know their craft. Whether you prefer a pour-over, a flat white, or a classic espresso, the quality here is excellent. The space is also pleasant for working — not too crowded, good WiFi, and a relaxed atmosphere.
13. Coffee Dream
Cuisine: Coffee, pastries Price: € (2-5 euros) Distance from Waterfront: Multiple locations, including Galerija mall Best for: Quick coffee, meeting point, convenience
Coffee Dream is a Belgrade chain that has earned its reputation through consistent quality and convenience. You will find locations everywhere, including inside Galerija Belgrade at the Waterfront. It is a reliable choice for a good cappuccino, a slice of cake, and a comfortable seat. Think of it as Belgrade's answer to a quality local coffee chain — not specialty, but always solid.
Late Night
14. Kafana Question Mark (Znak Pitanja)
Cuisine: Serbian traditional Price: €€ (12-20 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 15-minute walk (near Kalemegdan) Best for: History buffs, late dinners, atmosphere
The oldest kafana in Belgrade, operating since 1823. The name "Question Mark" comes from a dispute with the nearby church over the original name. The food is traditional Serbian, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere is steeped in two centuries of history. It stays open late and is a wonderful place for a post-theater or post-stroll dinner.
15. Walter Gastro Pub
Cuisine: Gastropub, craft beer Price: €€ (12-22 euros per person) Distance from Waterfront: 10-minute walk (Savamala area) Best for: Craft beer, late-night bites, casual groups
Walter is a popular gastropub in the Savamala neighborhood, just a short walk from the Waterfront. The menu features elevated pub food — burgers, ribs, wings — alongside a strong craft beer selection featuring Serbian microbreweries. It is lively without being chaotic and stays open well into the night.
Pro Tip: Belgrade restaurants generally do not expect American-style tipping. Rounding up the bill or leaving 10 percent is standard and appreciated. Most restaurants accept cards, but it is worth carrying some cash for smaller spots.
Stay Close, Eat Well
One of the best things about staying at Koala Apartments in Belgrade Waterfront or West 65 is that all of these restaurants are genuinely accessible. You do not need a car. You do not need to plan complicated transit routes. You walk out your door, stroll along the promenada or through the city center, and sit down to an excellent meal at prices that would be unthinkable in most Western European capitals.
Belgrade is one of Europe's great food cities, and it is only getting better. Book your stay at Koala Apartments and put these restaurants at the top of your list.
