Food to Try in Sarajevo 2026: Dishes, Prices and Where to Eat

Sarajevo’s food blends Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences into a cuisine that favours grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, and flaky phyllo pastry. In 2026, the best meal in the city is often the cheapest: a plate of ćevapi in Baščaršija or a warm burek slice from a street bakery. A sit-down lunch or dinner runs 15–28 BAM (≈8–14 €) at most traditional restaurants.

Must-Try Dishes

Ćevapi — Sarajevo’s signature

Grilled minced-meat sausages (beef or beef-lamb blend) served in flatbread (somun) with raw onions, kajmak (clotted cream), and ajvar (roasted-pepper relish). Sarajevo’s Baščaršija ćevabdžinice are widely considered the best in Bosnia.

• Price: 5–8 BAM (≈2.5–4 €) for 10 pieces with bread
• Where: Ćevabdžinica Zeljo, Petica, Nune (all in Baščaršija)

Burek — the Bosnian pastry rule

In Bosnia, burek means only beef-filled phyllo pastry. Cheese-filled is sirnica; potato-filled is krompiruša. Sold by the slice in buregdžinice bakeries all day.

• Price: 2–5 BAM (≈1–2.5 €) per slice
• Where: Buregdzinica Bosna and Buregdzinica Sac, both in Baščaršija

Bosanski lonac — Bosnian pot

A slow-cooked clay-pot stew of beef or lamb layered with cabbage, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. One of Bosnia’s most distinctive dishes. Often large enough to share.

• Price: 15–25 BAM (≈8–13 €)
• Where: Bašča kod Ene, Zara iz Duvara

Klepe — Bosnian dumplings

Small beef-filled dumplings similar to ravioli, served with beans or gravy. A Sarajevo specialty.

• Price: 12–18 BAM (≈6–9 €)
• Where: Bašča kod Ene, Zara iz Duvara

Sarma and stuffed vegetables

• Sarma: cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, simmered in tomato sauce
• Punjene paprike: stuffed bell peppers with meat and rice
• Sogan dolma: onions stuffed with meat and rice

Price: 12–18 BAM (≈6–9 €) per plate.

Pljeskavica — grilled beef patty

Minced-beef patty (often with cheese or cream core) served in a bun with onions and ajvar. The Balkan burger.

• Price: 8–14 BAM (≈4–7 €)

Grah and grašak — bean and pea stews

Thick, warming stews. Grah (bean stew) can be ordered “bez mesa” (without meat) for a vegetarian version. Budget-friendly lunch option.

• Price: 8–14 BAM (≈4–7 €)

Ustipci and Bosnian pastries

Small fried dough balls served with jam, cheese, or powdered sugar. Also available: baklava, tufahije (whole apple stuffed with walnut cream), hurmašice (syrup-soaked biscuits), and kadaif (shredded wheat in syrup).

• Price: 3–7 BAM (≈1.5–3.5 €) per portion

Bosnian coffee and rakija

Bosnian coffee (Turkish-style, brewed in a copper džezva) is the city’s daily ritual — drink it slowly. Rakija (plum or fruit brandy) is the standard after-dinner drink.

• Coffee: 2–4 BAM; Rakija: 2–4 BAM per shot

Best Restaurants

Restaurant	Style	Best dishes
Ćevabdžinica Zeljo	Street food, fast	Best ćevapi in Old Town
Buregdzinica Bosna/Sac	Bakery	Beef burek, sirnica, krompiruša
Bašča kod Ene	Traditional	Klepe, pljeskavica, stews
Zara iz Duvara	Traditional	Bosanski lonac, dolma, stuffed veg
Šeherezada	Traditional	Full spread, sit-down groups
Inat Kuća	Atmospheric	Mixed grill platters, local wines

Typical Food Costs in Sarajevo (2026)

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Upscale
Breakfast (café)	2–4 BAM (1–2 €)	4–6 BAM (2–3 €)	6–10 BAM (3–5 €)
Lunch (ćevapi/burek)	6–10 BAM (3–5 €)	10–15 BAM (5–7.5 €)	15–20 BAM (7.5–10 €)
Dinner (sarma/klepe/pljeskavica)	12–18 BAM (6–9 €)	18–25 BAM (9–12.5 €)	25–35+ BAM (13+ €)
Coffee or rakija	2–4 BAM per drink	4–8 BAM for two	8–12 BAM
Daily food total	25–40 BAM (13–20 €)	45–65 BAM (23–33 €)	60–80+ BAM (30–40+ €)

How to Order Like a Local

• Ask for domaća hrana (home-style food) to get stews and local dishes rather than tourist menus
• Use “bez mesa” (without meat) for vegan-adapted stews and pastries
• Break your sugar cube, put half in the džezva with your coffee — the correct Bosnian approach
• The standing ćevabdžinica (no-frills grill) is always faster and usually better than the tourist-facing restaurant