Eat Bosnia

As food and drink are central to Bosnian culture you are never too far away from a variety of superb restaurants. The local Cevabdzinice are typical local grill restaurant that offer cevapi; a matchless sausage/dumplings are made from mainly minced veil, onions, garlic, spices and other secret ingredients served with a type of fresh thick pita bread, onions or kajmak a type of local cheese/cream on the side. They are not to be missed-out on when anywhere in Bosnia. They also offer great steaks, suduke, and all the possible meats you can think of. All of this for £1-5 for a complete feast. One of our favourite cevabzdinica is;
           
Petica (Five)
Sunshine Rating:
Capacity: 50
Situated right at the end of Bascarsija, next to the Vjecnica, the cevapi are simply out of this world. It may not have the most luxurious look about it, which is why we have only given it a four sun rating however all the locals go there, which makes it our little secret. It is always busy in there but it is definitely worth the wait to get a taste of the secret recipe.   
           
Hodzic
Sunshine Rating:
Capacity: 60-70
If Petica is busy then just step across the road to another sizzling Cevabdzinica where there tends to be more space and more modern surrounding. The cevapi are very good there too but it doesn’t have the reputation that follows Petica internationally. Still they offer very good service and we cannot complain about the fresh and organic food they serve.

Park Princeva
Sunshine Rating:
Address: Iza Hride 7
Capacity: 100-150
This restaurant is a must do when in Sarajevo! There is no restaurant like it. Situated on the surrounding hills of Sarajevo you can more or less see the whole of the city offering a simply breathtaking view. It will cost you about 6km/ £3 to get there by taxi from central Sarajevo and it only takes roughly 15minutes to get there. Once there you will be treated like royalty and will receive the red carpet treatment and a typically gastronomic menu. Almost every night there is live music where the musicians spoil you with beautiful traditional Bosnia music, called Servdalinke. A lot of tourists visit this restaurant so it is an ideal place to meet fellow travellers. The menu consists of local, Mediterranean, Italian and international food and is a bit more expensive then expected, however it is still nothing compared to Western European prices. An average meal will cost about £10. Even if you decide not to go and eat there it is still worth going up there for a coffee to take in the view of the city and the fresh air.

Pod Lipom
Sunshine Rating:
Address: Prote Bakovica 8 & 6
Capacity: 60
This is in our opinion the finest national restaurant in Sarajevo, offering the freshest and tastiest food available. Once again it is a hidden little restaurant just off the main pedestrian walk in Bascarsija. Many local politicians, famous writers and famous faces go there but still it is not known by all. Like Petica it is not the best looking places in the world however that is part of its charm. The food speaks for it self as you are spoiled for choice. Whether you are a meat lover, vegetarian or a vegan there is something there for everybody. Try out the exquisite pite (pie) made from homemade pastries filled with spinach, meat, cheese, pumpkin or potatoes. The veil is also very good and so it the sarma (cabbage filled with meat and rice). Don’t miss out on the Begova corba (chicken stew) and stuffed peppers. All of these superb meals are from £2 to £10, it would be a crime to not to try them out.

Boulevard
Sunshine Rating: to
Capacity: 600-1000
Frandela Zvizdovica
Located in the UNITIC skyscraper, this is a truly modern restaurant, cafe, bar and club that could be mistaken for a western style complex. It has boasted of hosting many fashion, business and political events such as the promotion of the Mercedes A-class, guests of the World Bank and the US Embassy. Hence they are use to catering for international guests offering a seamless service.  The food is domestic and international providing for all tastes where the prices range from £2-7. It is worth going to visit this amazing architectural space to get a taste of the modern side of Sarajevo and still get excellent food.     

Vinoteka
Sunshine Rating:
Address: Skenderija 12, Sarajevo (near the Skenderija cultural and sports centre hall Mirza Delibasic)
This is one of the finest restaurants that comes highly recommended by all Sarajevo diaspora, the locals and tourists. The restaurant is a modern establishment and yet very cosy. The staff are always very welcoming and greet you with open arms. The menu is highly influenced by European styles and is simply flawless.

Inat Kuca
Sunshine Rating:
Address: Veliki Alifakovac 1, Bascarsija.
This is a traditional Bosnian restaurant located in an old Turkish house. If you want to experience good food mixed with a bit of history this is a must. The food is typical of local cuisine. Placed right next to river Miljacka and opposite the beautiful remains of the old library Katedrala its location is right next to the centre of Bascarsija. If you are looking to experience authentic Bosnian culture visit this restaurant.

Avlija
Address: Sumbula Avde 2, 71 000 Sarajevo
Tel: 033 444 483
Sunshine Rating:
This restaurant offers simple, very tasty and inexpensive food. A mixture of local and European food. Always a very popular restaurant and a good place to bring your friends to socialise.

Pivnica HS
Address: 15 Franjevacka, Sarajevo
Tel: 0038733239740
Sunshine Rating:
This brewery/restaurant was rated in the top 82 restaurants in the world by the Conde Nest Traveler magazine in 2006. It was rated by a secret Conde Nest team member which took into consideration the quality of the food, service and ambient. It was described as a place where the food was excellent, the service as remarkable, and the ambient as totally original and incomparable.

In addition the Sarajevska piva or the Sarajevo beer was classified as one of the best beers in the world. - www.beer.trash.net It looks like a very old restaurant but shockingly it was only built in 2004. The interiors remind us almost of a big English pub with a very elegant twist to it. The food it traditional Bosnian cuisine. You must visit this place.

This brewery is good for all ages but ideal for people in their 30 +

Papagaj - Restaurant
This is a small restaurant located in Grbavica. They mainly sell western type food such as salads, Italian style food like Pizzas and Pasta and home made local soups. This is a lovely little place where many western business men and politicians come for lunch as it is very close to OHR building where the Higher Commission office and where Paddy Ashdown use to work!