To understand Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must taste it. Bosnian food is a delicious and hearty blend of its complex history, with flavorful influences from Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic traditions. It is honest, unpretentious cooking that relies on fresh, local ingredients. From grilled meats to slow-cooked stews and delicate pastries, this is comfort food at its absolute best.
Here are 10 essential dishes that will give you a true taste of the country.
The Unmissable Savory Dishes
- Ćevapi: The undisputed national dish. These are small, hand-rolled sausages made from minced beef, veal, or a mix. They are grilled over charcoal and served in a fluffy flatbread called a somun, with a side of raw chopped onions and kajmak (a rich, tangy clotted cream). Every city has a famous ćevabdžinica (a shop that only sells ćevapi), and locals will happily debate which one is the best.
- Burek (and other Pita): This is the ultimate Bosnian street food, available in bakeries (pekare) everywhere. It is a flaky pastry made from tissue-thin dough called filo, which is filled and rolled into a coil. Technically, only the meat-filled version is called burek. Others have their own names: sirnica (cheese), zeljanica (spinach and cheese), and krompiruša (potato). It is often sold by weight and eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Begova Čorba (Bey’s Soup): A rich and velvety chicken and okra soup, thickened with egg yolk and cream. It is a sophisticated and historic dish, once reserved for the Ottoman aristocracy, but now a beloved starter in traditional restaurants.
- Bosanski Lonac (Bosnian Pot): A hearty, slow-cooked stew that is the epitome of comfort food. Chunks of beef or lamb are layered in a deep clay pot with chunky vegetables like potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and tomatoes, then left to simmer for hours until everything is incredibly tender.
- Sarma: A dish found throughout the Balkans. It consists of minced meat and rice lovingly wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves or sometimes vine leaves (japrak), then slow-cooked until tender. It is a staple of family celebrations.
- Jagnjetina sa Ražnja (Spit-Roasted Lamb): A true delicacy reserved for special occasions. You will often see restaurants, particularly along main roads between cities, with whole lambs roasting slowly on a spit over an open fire. If you see one, stop. The meat is incredibly tender and flavorful.
The Sweet Finale
- Tufahija: An elegant and surprisingly light dessert. It is a whole apple, cored and poached in sugar water, then filled with a sweet walnut mixture and topped with whipped cream.
- Baklava: The classic Ottoman pastry found throughout the region. Layers of thin filo dough are filled with chopped nuts (usually walnuts in Bosnia), baked, and then soaked in a sweet syrup called agda.
Essential Drinks
- Bosanska Kafa (Bosnian Coffee): It is strong, unfiltered, and a deeply ingrained cultural ritual. It is prepared in a traditional copper pot called a džezva and served in a small cup called a fildžan, usually with sugar cubes on the side. The custom is to sip it slowly while enjoying conversation.
- Rakija: The powerful fruit brandy that is the spirit of the Balkans. It can be made from plums (šljivovica), grapes (loza), or other fruits. Be warned: it is potent. It is meant to be sipped and savored, often as a welcome drink.
The best way to find authentic local food is to get off the beaten path.
A rental van gives you the freedom to discover those amazing roadside restaurants and village eateries where the best jagnjetina is served.
Start your culinary tour of BiH with the perfect vehicle.
