Belgrade’s Culinary Map According to Ambassadors
TASTE OF DIPLOMACY
by Mijat Kontić
From Balkan grills to English breakfasts, Ambassadors reveal their favourite places to eat in Serbia’s capital.
In a city where politics and culture intertwine, Belgrade’s restaurant scene has become a quiet stage for diplomacy. We asked ambassadors and international representatives stationed in Serbia to share their favourite places to eat, and their answers reveal a rich tapestry of tastes, nostalgia, and culinary discovery.
United Kingdom
British Ambassador Edward Ferguson admits he’s still exploring Belgrade’s food scene, but recently discovered Little Bay, a restaurant that serves a proper English breakfast. “I’m really glad you asked. I hadn’t really found anywhere until someone told me about Little Bay,” he shares. “I’m looking forward to checking it out!”
For drinks, Ferguson prefers Dogma Brewery, known for its craft beers. “The taste is about as close as you could get to an English pub,” he says.
Still, he’s on the hunt for classic British pub fare: “Fish and chips, sausage and mash, steak and kidney pie—if your readers know anywhere, please let me know!”
Czech Republic
Ambassador Jan Bondy notes a culinary absence: “There is currently no restaurant in Belgrade that offers Czech cuisine,” he shares.
But when nostalgia strikes, just like the British Ambassador, he heads to DOGMA Brewery, located in the former Belgrade sugar factory near Ada Ciganlija. “DOGMA has a pleasant atmosphere of Czech beer halls, and their beers remind me of Czech beers in terms of quality,” he says.
He highlights their Švejk lager, brewed exclusively with Czech hops for the Czech Minister of Agriculture’s visit in late 2024. “It was so well received by Serbian beer lovers that it became part of DOGMA’s permanent offer.”
For food, Bondy enjoys DOGMA’s hearty beer pairings: “I like their sausage with cheese or spicy sausage, it’s a nice reminder of sitting with friends over a good beer in Czech pubs.”
Israel
Ambassador Avivit Bar-Ilan finds comfort in the heart of Dorćol’s Jewish Quarter at Smokvica, a restaurant led by Israeli chef Re’em. “There, in a warm and homely atmosphere, you’ll find authentic Israeli cuisine, sizzling shakshuka, fresh green salads, high-quality meat, hummus and falafel, and wonderful pastries that instantly bring me back to the flavours and scents of home.”
For Shabbat, she recommends La BoULANGeRie bakery: “Their challah is soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and full of the taste of home.”
Croatia
Croatian Ambassador Hidajet Biščević finds a taste of home at Šaran, a seafood restaurant in Zemun. His favourites? “Crabs, octopus, and seafood in general,” he says, highlighting the restaurant’s Mediterranean flair.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
For Ambassador Aleksandar Vranješ, the answer is simple: “One of my favourite restaurants in Belgrade is Merak Balkan Cuisine in Senjak,” he says. His go-to dish? “Boki’s pljeskavica,” a Balkan-style burger that blends tradition with flavour.
Mexico
When asked about Mexican cuisine in Belgrade, representatives from the Mexican mission responded candidly: “There’s no restaurant that serves good Mexican food here,” they said, suggesting a culinary gap yet to be filled.
Taste of Diplomacy
From Balkan grills to Israeli shakshuka, Czech lagers to English ales, Belgrade’s ambassadors are crafting their own culinary maps of the city. Whether chasing nostalgia or discovering new flavours, their choices reflect not just personal taste but the quiet diplomacy of shared meals.
In these moments, over a plate of pljeskavica, a pint of Švejk lager, or a slice of warm challah, diplomacy becomes something more intimate. It’s the comfort of familiar spices, the laughter between bites and the stories exchanged across cultures. These dining choices are not just about food, they’re about belonging, memory, and the subtle art of connection.