Serbian food is hearty, generous and seriously underrated, and Belgrade is the best place to try it, but menus in Cyrillic and portion sizes built for farmhands can make it hard to know where to start. This culinary tour, one of the best-reviewed food experiences in Belgrade on Viator, solves that in three and a half hours. A local guide leads you through markets and food stalls and into the places locals actually eat, with plenty of tastings along the way. Expect the classics: flaky burek for breakfast, creamy kajmak and fresh cheeses, roasted pepper ajvar, grilled ćevapi and pljeskavica, pastries and sweets, and a glass of rakija, the fruit brandy that opens every Serbian celebration. Just as useful, the guide explains how to order, what to pair with what and where to go for the rest of your stay. Come with an appetite; you will not need lunch.
How to visit: the tour lasts about three and a half hours on foot in central Belgrade, with a group led by a local guide. The exact stops vary with the day and the season, so read the latest itinerary on the booking page, and tell the operator about any dietary needs when you book, as Serbian cooking leans heavily on meat and dairy. Free cancellation applies up to the usual cutoff.
What to expect: a relaxed walk between tastings, mixing market stalls, bakeries and small restaurants. A typical day includes a pastry or burek, cheese and kajmak, cured meats, salads or ajvar, grilled meat and something sweet, with rakija or another local drink. The guide talks about how Ottoman, Austrian and Balkan influences shaped the food, and about the rituals of coffee and kafana life. By the end you will have a list of places for every remaining meal.
Making the most of it: book it early in your stay so you can use the tips, skip breakfast, and wear comfortable shoes. If you want more after the tour, head to Skadarlija, the bohemian cobbled street of taverns with live tamburica music, or to the riverside cafes of Dorćol in the evening.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking food tour through markets, stalls and local eateries in central Belgrade, with tastings at each stop.
Best time
Late morning on your first or second day, with an empty stomach.
How long
About three and a half hours.
Tips
Skip breakfast, flag dietary needs when booking, and keep the guide’s restaurant tips for the rest of your stay.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-timers who want to eat well without guesswork.
- Families
- Older children who like trying new food do well; it is a lot of walking and eating for little ones.
- Couples
- A fun, social half day that sets up the rest of your trip’s dinners.
- Pair with
- An evening in Skadarlija, the cobbled street of traditional taverns.
- Time needed
- Three and a half hours.
Good questions
What food will I try on the Belgrade food tour?+
Expect Serbian classics such as burek, kajmak and cheeses, ajvar, grilled meats and sweets, often with rakija. Exact tastings vary by day and season.
Is the food tour suitable for vegetarians?+
Serbian cooking leans on meat and dairy, so tell the operator when you book. Many tastings can be swapped with notice.
Do I need to eat before the food tour?+
No, come hungry. The tastings add up to more than a full meal.
What is rakija?+
Rakija is a strong fruit brandy, most often made from plums, and the national drink of Serbia. It is sipped slowly, often to start a meal.
How long is the food tour?+
It lasts about three and a half hours on foot in central Belgrade.
