Sarajevo Food
Explore Sarajevo Food: Restaurants, Street Food & Markets
We spent a month in Sarajevo researching what local foods to eat and where to eat them. We’ve compiled a summary of the information we collected so you can start enjoying these foods as soon as you arrive!
For the most part, Sarajevo food is similar to Mostar food. However, several dishes like Sarajevska Corba and Sarajevski Cevapi are unique to Sarajevo.
There are many restaurants in Sarajevo specializing in traditional dishes. If you only have time for one, you can't go wrong with cevapi from Cevabdzinica Hodzic.
However, if you want to cook your own meals, the Markale Food Market offers local produce, meats, and dairy products. Otherwise, you can get everything at one of the Konzum grocery stores in the old town area.
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Traditional Food in Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s culinary identity is deeply tied to Bosnia’s diverse cultural heritage, where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences converge. In the city’s old town restaurants, family-run eateries, and bustling markets, you’ll find traditional recipes prepared with local ingredients and techniques passed down through generations.
Many of the dishes served in Sarajevo are enjoyed throughout Bosnia, but here they are elevated by the city’s dedication to craft and community. Expect meals centered around fresh bread, grilled meats, and hearty stews, often accompanied by homemade condiments and pickled vegetables.
For a deeper dive into Bosnia’s culinary staples and national dishes, visit our Bosnia Food page.
Bosnia Food
Bosnian cuisine blends Ottoman-era recipes with Balkan comfort and Central European influences. Signature dishes often feature grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, stuffed vegetables, and fresh dairy products, reflecting a layered and diverse culinary tradition.
While ingredients and preparation methods vary across Bosnia’s regions, the foundation of Bosnian food is consistent. In Sarajevo, you’ll taste these culinary traditions in iconic dishes such as ćevapi (grilled minced meat sausages served with flatbread and onions), burek (flaky meat-filled pastry), and begova čorba (rich chicken and vegetable soup thickened with okra).
Traditional Restaurants in Sarajevo
Cevabdzinica Zeljo 2
Address: Bazardžani 2, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
If you're looking for cevapi, Ćevabdžinica Željo 2 would be a good place to start!
Inat Kuca
Address: Veliki Alifakovac 1, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
During construction of the City Hall, Inat Kuća was supposed to be demolished. However, the owner negotiated to move the house to the other side of the river where it is now located. Due to the owner’s stubbornness, the relocated house was called Inat kuća (house of defiance).
The house is now a traditional Bosnian restaurant.
Cevabdzinica Hodzic
Address: Bravadžiluk 34, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Ćevabdžinica Hodžić is an award-winning restaurant known for its cevapi.
Caffe Divan
Address: Sarači 77, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
This coffee shop has a great courtyard in the heart of the Baščaršija.
Local Markets in Sarajevo
Markale Food Market
aka Gradska Trznica
- Architect: August Butsch
- Style: Neo-Renaissance style
- Built: 1894 - 1895
- Address: Mula Mustafe Bašeskije 4a, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Markale Food Market is located in a neoclassical building that is one of many beautiful buildings in Sarajevo.
Food Tours in Sarajevo
Food tours in Sarajevo offer a structured way to understand the city’s culinary traditions, regional ingredients, and longstanding influences from Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan cooking. These tours typically combine tasting stops with short walks through the historic center, providing context for how local dishes developed over time.
Best Places to Stay in Sarajevo
Hotels in Sarajevo
There are many good places to stay on both sides of the Miljacka River in Sarajevo. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Old Town, Bascarsija (the castle marker on the map below). The best restaurants and bars are in the Old Town, which happens to be the most beautiful area in Sarajevo.
Here's an interactive map with accommodation options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
FAQs About Sarajevo Food
What Is the Most Popular Food In Bosnia?
Bosnian cuisine is known for its diverse flavors and influences from neighboring countries such as Turkey, Serbia, and Croatia. Some popular dishes include cevapi (grilled minced meat), burek (phyllo pastry filled with meat or cheese), dolma (stuffed vegetables), and pita (savory pie). Additionally, Bosnians enjoy a variety of soups, stews, and grilled meats, often served with traditional sides such as ajvar (roasted red pepper spread) and kajmak (a type of cream cheese). Desserts such as baklava and tufahije (stuffed apples) are also commonly enjoyed.
What Is the Signature Bosnian Food?
If we were to choose one signature Bosnian food, it would probably be cevapi, which is a type of grilled sausage made from beef or lamb that is often served with onions, sour cream, and flatbread.
What Are the Most Popular Dishes in Sarajevo?
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has a rich culinary tradition influenced by Turkish, Austrian, and Balkan cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes in Sarajevo include:
Ćevapi - grilled minced meat sausages served with flatbread (somun), onions, and sour cream (kajmak)
Burek - a savory pastry filled with meat, cheese, or spinach
Bosanski Lonac (considered the National Dish of Bosnia) - a stew made with meat and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions
Klepe - small dumplings filled with meat or cheese and served in soup
Pita - a phyllo pastry filled with meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes
These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can find in Sarajevo.
What Food Is Sarajevo Known For?
Some popular dishes in Sarajevo include cevapi (grilled minced meat), burek (phyllo pastry filled with meat or cheese), dolma (stuffed vegetables), and pita (savory pie).
Additionally, many Bosnians enjoy soups, stews, and grilled meats served with traditional sides such as ajvar (roasted red pepper spread) and kajmak (a type of cream cheese).
Finally, desserts such as baklava and tufahije (stuffed apples) are also commonly enjoyed.
What is the traditional food of Sarajevo?
Traditional Bosnian food in Sarajevo includes cevapi, japrak, and sogan dolma, among others.
What Is the Best Sarajevo Food?
Sarajevo is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine that reflects the city's multicultural heritage. Some popular dishes include cevapi (grilled minced meat), burek (pastry filled with meat, cheese, or potatoes), dolma (stuffed vegetables), and baklava (sweet pastry made with layers of phyllo dough and honey).
What to eat in Sarajevo?
Many restaurants offer a platter for two consisting of grilled chicken, pork, and beef served with fries that should be on everybody’s list of foods to eat in Sarajevo. It’s pretty great food, and the portion sizes are truly impressive!
Is Bosnian Cuisine Vegetarian Friendly?
As with many cuisines, Bosnian cuisine includes a variety of dishes that are suitable for vegetarians and many that are not. Some vegetarian-friendly Bosnian dishes include burek (a savory pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or potatoes) and sarma (cabbage rolls filled with rice and vegetables). However, many traditional Bosnian dishes also contain meat or animal products, so checking the ingredients before ordering or preparing a dish is important. Additionally, some restaurants in Bosnia may not have a wide selection of vegetarian options on their menus, so it may be helpful to do some research beforehand or ask for recommendations from locals.
What Are the Best Places to Eat in Sarajevo?
Many great restaurants in Sarajevo offer delicious Bosnian cuisine and other international dishes. Some of the best restaurants include Kibe Mahala, Inat Kuća, Dveri, and Željo Cevapi.
Is there a particular restaurant that everyone recommends in Sarajevo?
Restaurant Dveri is a highly-rated restaurant located in the very heart of Sarajevo. It makes visitors feel as if they are in a country home. They serve traditional Bosnian food and have a great selection of wines.
Is food expensive in Sarajevo?
No - food is very affordable in Sarajevo. A large meal for two with a couple adult beverages will typically cost 40€ to 50€ depending on where you go.
How much money do I need for shopping in a supermarket in Sarajevo?
$20 per day for two people (excluding alcohol) should cover it.
What is the Best Cafe in Sarajevo?
Some of the best cafes in Sarajevo include August Café, Spazio Café, and Miris Dunja.
August Café is one of the best cafes in Sarajevo. They serve great coffee and truly sensational sweet and savory crepes. There are also other non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages available.
Spazio Café is a cozy place with a great atmosphere. They serve delicious coffee and have a great selection of cakes and pastries.
Miris Dunja is a small café located in the heart of Baščaršija. They serve great coffee and have an excellent selection of cakes and pastries.