Eating alone in Belgrade is easy and unremarkable: bakeries, cafes and casual grills are used to solo customers. Here is how to make the most of it. Menus and prices change, so check current details.
Breakfast and quick bites
A local bakery (pekara) is the classic solo breakfast, with burek or a kifla and yogurt. Street food stalls and grill counters are also good options for a fast, filling meal; see street eats.
Lunch at the market
Markets are a relaxed way to eat and see local life; read our guide to the best markets.
Dinner in a kafana
Kafanas are traditional taverns. Portions are often generous, so ask about sizes before ordering; see portion sizes and prices. Traditional spots are covered in Serbian eateries.
Tips for solo diners
- Sit at the bar or a small table if you prefer; staff are usually welcoming.
- Ask for the daily special (jelo dana) where offered.
- Vegetarian and vegan options are growing; see veggie cuisine and kosher and halal options.
- Tipping norms are covered in our tipping guide.
For tastings with company, consider a guided food tour.
I’m Nevena, a writer and Belgrade native who now splits my time between Serbia and the UK. I’ve been living between two countries for 8 years, which means I understand Belgrade from both sides: as someone who grew up here, and as someone who had to rediscover it through expat eyes.
That dual perspective shapes everything I write. I cover expat life in Belgrade in depth, the things no guidebook tells you, like how to navigate the healthcare system, where to find reliable childcare, what property buying actually involves for foreigners, and how much things really cost when you live here rather than just visiting. I’ve done most of this myself, which means my guides are based on real experience, not research from a distance.
I also write about Serbia and the wider Balkans as a travel destination, a region that still surprises people with how much it offers. I’ve taken 35+ solo trips across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia and Romania, and I speak Serbian, English and conversational Romanian.
Belgrade is one of Europe’s most underrated cities, and I’ve made it my mission to change that, one honest, practical guide at a time.