Let’s be honest: no matter where we go, we’ll always find ourselves craving a plate of home-cooked Balkan perfection. While it’s not your grandma’s cooking, it still tastes pretty damn close. Here’s a list of some of our favorite Balkan restaurants across the United States.
1. Rakija Lounge
Located in the heart of downtown Miami, this Serbian-owned restaurant has all the traditional food, along with the rakija. Enjoy happy hour Monday’s through Thursday’s from 12-4 PM plus Balkan Party every Tuesday night.
Address: 1131 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida
Instagram: @rakijalounge
2. Balkan Taste
Not only is the food good, but it tastes just like your Baka made it. From a fast bite to a full-course meal, Balkan Taste is the place.
Address: 2354 Elmhurst Rd, Mt Prospect, IL 60056
3. Balkan Bites
Balkan Bites turned our dreams into a reality with burek delivered straight to your door. This women-owned business has been featured in the New York Times, New Yorker Mag, and Forbes. And get this: they even have a chocolate and hazelnut flavor!
Address: While based out of New York City, they ship nationwide and offer free shipping on orders of $100+
Instagram: @balkanbitesnyc
4. Cafe Bubamara
Yes, Café Bubamara has the cutest name ever — not to mention the legendary car they always have parked outside. Their Turkish coffee is a must, plus just take a look at these gorgeous desserts on their menu. Whether you decide to order the Jafa, Voćna or Keks Torta, you really can’t go wrong.
Address: 263 Parker Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011
Instagram: @cafebubamara
5. Balkan Treat Box
You can’t go to St. Louis without stopping by Balkan Treat Box. Just take it from us — we decided to devour the entire menu during our last visit in October. The owners, Edo and Loryn Nalic have done an incredible job at bringing more unique Balkan flavors to the neighborhood. They’re open from Tuesday through Saturday and they do sell out of their menu items quite often, so it’s best if you stop by earlier in the day!
Address: 8103 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, MO 63119
Instagram: @balkantreatbox
6. Baked In Bosnia
Located in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, the newly-opened Baked In Bosnia offers rotating menus of delicious Bosnian cuisine.
Address: 501 2nd Ave W #100, Seattle, WA 98119
Instagram: @baked_in_bosnia
7. Balkan House
Known as the place you go to eat a Döner Kebab, Balkan House has grown and expanded its menu to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Address: 3028 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
8. Bosnian Grill
This San Diego-based food truck has served the area for ten years now, with everything from cevapi to baklava.
Address: Check their website or Instagram to see where they’re located each week.
Instagram: @bosniangrill
9. Edessa Restaurant
You must have a cup of tea at this ornately decorated shop. Who knows, maybe the sweet, bearded man will even be there to serve it to you.
Address:3802 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
10. Djerdan Burek
Djerdan Burek has three locations within the New York and New Jersey area along with two factories and they will ship it to your house.
Address: 34-04 31st Ave, Queens, NY 11106
Instagram: @djerdan_burek
11. Sofra Urbana
If this picture doesn’t have you hungry, are you even from the Balkans? Sofra Urbana is known as the BEST Bosnian restaurant in the west.
Address: 17098 Magnolia St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
12. J’s Pitaria
Authentic Mediterranean meals made from scratch and inspired by family.
Address: 91 Concord Plaza Shopping Center, St. Louis, MO 63128
13. Lemmons
Best of both worlds can be found in this American restaurant inspired by traditional Balkan recipes.
Address: 5800 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116
14. Dubrovnik Restaurant
If you close your eyes, the taste will take you back to the smell of salt water from the sea.
Address: 721 Main St, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Instagram: @dubrovnikrestaurant_ny
15. Ambar
Based in three different locations worldwide, Ambar prides themselves on quality food and service.
Address: 523 8th Street Southeast, Washington, D.C 20003-2835
16. Kafana
It is never a boring day in the city or at Kafana in New York, with grilled fish, fresh salads, and a great wine selection.
Address: 116 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
Instagram: @kafananyc
17. Skadarliya
Beautiful inside and out, wonderful service and AMAZING food. Outside and inside seating is limited so call ahead.
Address: 9237 Ogden Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513
Instagram: @skadarliyarestaurant
18. Cafe Beograd
Samo slatko, anyone? This Chicago-based restaurant is on point when it comes to desserts.
Address: 2933-39 Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Instagram: @beogradcafe
19. Živio
A place you truly get to enjoy yourself, as you indulge in memories.
Address: 724 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Instagram: @ziviogr
20. Mersim’s Kitchen
Mersim started his business years ago with a food truck, working his way up to opening a restaurant. Something that he is famous for is that when the community was suffering during the pandemic, he gave out free food.
Address: 126 E Ridgeway Ave, Suite A Waterloo, IA 50701
21. Balkan House Restaurant
Not only does this Canadian-based Balkan-owned restaurant have amazing food, but they also host live music.
Address: 7530 Edmonds St, Burnaby, BC V3N 1B4, Canada
22. Mrakovic Meat and Deli
This is not only a meat and deli, but also a grocery store, restaurant, and bakery. The best part is they serve Bosanska kahva.
Address: 44 Wellesworth Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9C 4R1, Canada
Instagram: @mrakovicmeat
23. Balkan Fresh
We can’t forget our friends over at Balkan Fresh who have created a seamless online shopping experience for all of your sweet and salty cravings. Whether you’re looking to restock on pašteta or Kinder Bueno, they’ve got your back. If you live in NYC, be sure to take advantage of their delivery and curbside pickup services!
Instagram: @balkanfresh