Exploring Serbia, bite by bite

To discover Serbia at its heart, you must sit at the table, whether in a fine restaurant, a traditional tavern, or at a checkered tablecloth on a farm. Here, life is measured in bites, sips, and the stories behind them. Take a journey from north to south, through savory and sweet! 

Šnenokle and Vojvodina stews 

On the plains of Serbia, the cuisine is as rich and diverse as the cultural influences that shaped it. On a Vojvodina table, you’ll find aromatic goulash, or perkelt, — thick and seasoned just enough to warm you up on a chilly evening. When your hostess brings out a bowl of šnenokle — those sweet, airy clouds floating in vanilla cream — you’ll know the meal has ended with pure imagination. Naturally, it’s all paired with wine from Fruška Gora, carrying the scents and flavors of the Pannonian Plain. 

Belgrade’s flavor rhythm

In the capital, the rhythm shifts — just like the music in Skadarlija, the city’s bohemian quarter. On one side, ćevapčići and pljeskavice sizzle on the grill; on the other, orasnice beckon: small walnut delights bound with sugar. Belgrade is where you can enjoy tradition during the day and end the night with a modern dessert, paired with a glass of wine from Šumadija — or, if you’re brave, with a shot of rakija. 

Slow down in Šumadija

As you descend into the heart of Serbia, the hills grow steeper but the hospitality never falters. You’ll be welcomed with coffee and homemade preserves made from wild blackberries and fragrant quinces. Time slows down in Šumadija;  spit-roasting takes hours until the meat turns crispy on the outside and juicy within. Plum rakija accompanies every bite, warming the soul, and every toast feels like an invitation to friendship. 

Pirot cheese and baklava 

In the south, flavors heat up and intensify, just like the energy that pulses through the region. On the table, there’s Pirot kačkavalj — a hard cheese whose taste lingers long after the last bite. Then comes baklava, sweet and sticky, soaked in syrup and walnuts — the true queen of the south. All of it, of course, is washed down with wine from the Negotin region, which is said to “solve all worries”! 

From donkey cheese to plums

Serbia offers some of the world’s most unique flavors, such as Pule, the planet’s most expensive donkey cheese, and raspberries that have ranked among the very best for decades. The plum is a beloved Serbian fruit, candied, dried, or distilled into the celebrated rakija Šljivovica. Pule is a rare treasure found only in the Zasavica Nature Reserve, but raspberries, plums, and many other fruits are best acquired at the market. Markets in Serbia aren’t only for weekends; they’re part of daily life. Year round, their offer changes with the seasons, from spring strawberries and summer vegetables to autumn’s bounty. 

The next time you’re in Serbia, beyond landmarks and museums, seek flavors. Try something new, stroll through the markets, chat with vendors, and savor local wines or rakija. Eat like a local — and truly discover Serbia.