Traditional Bosnian food as we know it today developed in the age of the Ottoman Empire. While in modern Bosnian food, you will find the flavours with influences from the Mediterranean and Central Europe. The good news is that it’s easy to find halal food in Bosnia compared to other Balkan countries!
Bosnian food tends to be heavy on meat usually beef or lamb, cooked with a seasoning of spices. Most dishes are light and served with a generous portion of vegetables. You will need to try at least a few dishes to get a real taste.
Are you hungry yet? Here’s where I found the best food in Bosnia & Herzegovina!
Ćevapi at Ćevabdžinica, Travnik
Say hello to the Bosnia & Herzegovina’s national dish! This national dish is made from minced beef or mutton shaped into sausages. Cevapi is served with warm Bosnian pita bread, raw onions and sour cream. Each restaurant cooks and seasons cevapi in a different way, making each cevapi slightly different.
I’ve had my cevapi at Cevabdzinica located in Travnik, one of the best preserved Ottoman towns in Bosnia. I was super excited to try it as I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about it. I’ve been told that they serve the best cevapi in Bosnia & Herzegovina! Order your cevapi with yoghurt drink, and hang out to rest your tired feet from all the walking you’ve done for the day.
Cevapi is definitely a super popular dish you must try while you’re here!
Facebook: Ćevabdžinica Hari
Address: Donja čaršija, Travnik 72270, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Operating Hours: 8am – 11.30pm
Contact: +387 30 511-727
Burek at Buregdžinica ASDž, Sarajevo
Burek is one of the most famous eats in Bosnia, comes from Turkey brought to the Balkans by the Ottoman. Burek is a sort of pie with flaky pastry filled with minced meat, traditionally rolled in a spiral and cut into sections for serving.
But they don’t stop there! You will find everything from cheese to spinach to potatoes fillings in a pastry pie. You can buy burek as a single slice or a large pie. I’ve been told that Buregdzinica ASDz in Sarajevo’s old town serve the best burek in Sarajevo! The snack costs a few Bosnian marks and will fill you up for hours.
I had Burek for lunch, a visit to Bosnia won’t be complete without eating Burek!
Facebook: Buregdzinica ASDž
Address: Bravadžiluk 28, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Operating Hours: 8am – 12am
Contact: +387 33 537-503
Roasted Lamb at Kovačević, Jablanica
If you are driving between Sarajevo and Mostar, a dining experience at Kovacevic Restaurant is definitely a must. The smell of roasted lamb lingering throughout the restaurant definitely made our mouths water! We knew we had to order their famous roasted lamb as it’s the most iconic dish.
It was a treat to look at how they roast the lamb. The roasted lamb was roasted to perfection with the right amount of seasoning. Needless to say, the roasted lamb exceeded my expectations! The meat was crispy, juicy and oh-so-tender. It paired really well with the potatoes and vegetables. This is definitely one of the best roasted lamb I’ve ever tasted!
The best part about the restaurant is that while enjoying my delicious roasted lamb, I also had this amazing view of Neretva river. Overlooking emerald green water and having endless mountains in the backdrops was definitely a relaxing feeling.
I would travel to Bosnia just to eat the roasted lamb here again!
Address: Donja Jablanica 88420, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Operating Hours: 7am – 11pm
Contact:+387 36 754-500
Grilled Trout at Han Restaurant, Pocitelj
If you’re tired of eating meaty meals, bread and dairy, you will be happy to come across this place! After the hike to Pocitelj Mosque, I was famished and couldn’t wait to eat. It was the lunch time and decided to go for fish dishes at Han Restaurant, located right at the foot hill.
For lunch, I had their fresh grilled trout with fries and vegetables. One of the famous fish which Bosnia is known for is trout fish so you have to try it! Although the meal seemed simple and healthy, the taste definitely delivered.
I always thought grilled fish would taste salty but somehow the grilled trout at Han Restaurant was really tasty and comforting.
Website: Restaurant Han Pocitelj
Address: Stari grad bb, 88305 Počitelj, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Contact: +387 (0)61 555-517
Baklava and Bosnian Desserts at Caffe Slastičarna Badem, Sarajevo
Baklava is made up of flaky layers of pastry with honey and chopped nuts between, and poured over with a sugary mixture when served. Although Baklava can be a dessert to a heavy meaty meal, taking it alone as a treat is more delicious.
Caffe Slasticarna Badem serves scrumptious baklava, Bosnian desserts and coffee! Located right in front of Sarajevo’s Bezistan, it is easy to find. It’s a trendy and cozy place to be, serving different types of drinks from traditional Bosnian coffee to modern coffee.
I was immediately drawn to the cafe because it serves several types of baklava and Bosnian desserts!
Facebook: Caffe Slasticarna Badem
Address: Ferhadija 43, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Operating Hours: 7am – 11pm
Contact: +387 33 536-500
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these Bosnian foods in the comments below or if you have any faves that didn’t make this list!
READ MORE:
11 Things You Won’t Want to Miss When Visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia
10 Best Places You Have to Visit in Bosnia & Herzegovina for Every Traveller
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