Belgrade got again five new shiny Michelin stars in the restaurant sky.
Classic, Mediterranean, sushi, meze, fancy, relaxed… Belgrade’s Michelin restaurant scene is as diverse as its inhabitants.
There are now a total of 22 Michelin-recommended restaurants in Belgrade.
Let’s find out who they are!
To be precise, there are zero actual Michelin stars, but 22 restaurants recommended by the Michelin guide, three of them having a Bib Gourmand status.
Belgrade has long awaited to get its first Michelin star and continues to wait for at least one more year.
There were no stars, but at least we local foodies think that the chefs of these restaurants are superstars of Belgrade.
A long-awaited Michelin inspectors coming to town
Inspectors’ visit to the Serbian capital was postponed due to the pandemic, but finally, in December 2021 the first-ever Michelin recommendations were announced.
Rumors were whispered around the city, foodies were trying to guess who would get the first star.
We were right and wrong. No stars, but a total of 14 restaurants got recommendations from the famous and highly appreciated Michelin guide. Amongst them were names we had been talking about, but also a few surprises.
In December 2022 Belgradians were holding their breaths again waiting for the new nominations for the year 2023.
Will there be a star? Are there new names on the list?
And what will happen to the ones recommended last year, are they able to keep their status?
Results were announced on December 12th, 2022.
All 14 names original to the list got to keep their recommendations and there were three new names written in the Michelin guide. Congratulations!
Aaand… in 2023 there were five more! Read until the end!
14 original Michelin-recommended fine dining experiences in Belgrade
These 14 restaurants were the first ones ever in Belgrade – and the whole Serbia – to get recommended by the Michelin guide.
As they all kept their status, I think they deserve to be introduced first.
I’ll list the new names after these, so if you can’t hold your horses, scroll down to the end.
Comunale Cafè e Cucina
Karađorđeva 2-4, Beton Hala
Comunale Cafè e Cucina serves Italian food and a wide selection of international drinks.
It’s located in a building called Beton Hala, a “concrete hall” by the Sava River.
This former custom warehouse is now home to many restaurants popular among youngish trendsetters.
Ebisu
The Square
Studentski trg 9hh
This was probably the biggest surprise, at least for me. Both of these are hotel restaurants, located in The Nine Square Hotel.
While the Square serves the Mediterranean, Ebisu is considered to be the best sushi in town.
Just to give you an option, I must admit that we favor The Moon, which is the oldest sushi restaurant in Belgrade and also way more affordable than Ebisu. But for sure we’ll need to test Ebisu too.
Enso
Mitropolita Petra 8
Now this is the restaurant that has been on everyone’s lips the last few years.
Modern interior, classic fine dining – meaning small & beautiful portions, this is one of the hottest places among culinarists in Belgrade.
This was also one of the restaurants predicted to get a Michelin star. But not yet at least.
Gušti mora
Ulica Radnička 27
Seafood restaurant Gušti Mora is located a little bit out of the city center.
A local private chef friend of ours recommended this place for us as absolutely the best fish restaurant in Belgrade.
Michelin inspectors agreed.
Well done, it’s not easy to run a seafood resto in a land-locked country as Serbia is and we are talking about Michelin-level fish!
Homa
Žorža Klemansoa 19
Owner chef Filip Ćirić of Homa has an ambitious dream of getting a Michelin star and Belgradians would’ve happily granted that for him.
Dishes are enormously beautiful and we have been told those to taste as delicious as they look.
Homa as a name sounds familiar to us from the Nordic countries and the restaurant also has a Scandinavian-style interior design.
We still haven’t been there as it’s a bit too pricey for us. The price level follows the quality as it absolutely should.
Though for the visitors from more expensive countries, for example, Western or Northern Europe, this isn’t that expensive at all.
Two people can’t manage to get out of here with a hundred euros, but less than 200 € anyway.
And what I’ve heard, it’s totally worth it.
For a bit more affordable dining try their sister restaurant Bistrot Homa at Nevesinjska 11.
JaM
Knez Miletina 25
We were not enticed to JaM by Michelin inspectors but invited by our friends who loved the place already.
JaM aka Just a Maestro is also one of those serving Mediterranean.
Mediterranean cuisine seems to be highly favored by Michelin inspectors and why not, I love it too.
And we also loved the food served here.
JaM is located behind the botanical garden Jevremovac in the local quarters and downstairs of an apartment building.
Don’t be afraid of the dim alleys, it’s totally safe to walk here. Trust me, we live nearby.
Langouste
Kosančićev Venac 29
French-Italian cuisine. Langouste is classic and classy.
Think about lobster, foie gras, and traditional meat dishes, that’s what Langouste is about.
This restaurant has been serving its clients for 30 years and has always been considered one of the best ones in Belgrade in the category of fine dining.
Interior design follows the style and you should follow the dress code, which is smart casual.
Legat 1903
Jasenička 7
Legat 1903 is also one of those restaurants trusting on traditions and offering French and Italian classics.
The lobster is definitely fresh as it’s caught from their own tank!
The wine cellar consists of 160 different options to choose from.
Magellan
Jurija Gagarina 14ž
Magellan also is one of the restaurants on everyone’s lips.
Despite its location in Novi Beograd, Belgradians wander there even from the huge restaurant offering in the Stari Grad’s (Old town).
Portions are mentioned to be creative and beautifully designed.
Mezestoran Dvorište
Svetogorska 46
Now this is one of our long-time favorites where we often bring our friends visiting Belgrade.
Mezestoran Dvoriste “Meze restaurant courtyard” is again one of those offering Mediterranean and especially – as the name obligates – mezes.
Dvoriste is relaxed, cozy, and affordable.
We were actually quite surprised our fave place getting the Michelin guide recommendation. Not that it wouldn’t deserve it, it totally does, but because we favor simple local places over fine dining.
Rustic food, relaxed atmosphere, simple yet delicious. This is what we like and this is what Dvoriste is about.
I’m happy to see this kind of restaurant on the Michelin Guide.
Mezestoran offers a lot of vegetarian options without being a vegetarian restaurant.
One of our favorite meals here is Sultan’s Delight, a meat and aubergine casserole. But if you follow a vegetarian diet you don’t need to stick to a shopska salad unless you want to.
Salon 1905
Karađorđeva 48
Belgradians seem to love adding numbers – or the year – to the names of their restaurants.
Salon 1905 is another restaurant on the Michelin list carrying a meaningful year in its name.
What happened that year? I’m actually not sure, but I think it refers to the year the building was constructed.
The owner of this restaurant is an architect which explains a glorious interior.
Salon 1905 is the place to have big celebrations like weddings.
Even if you aren’t, someone else might be having a big day, so it’s better to wear something little nicer when dining out here.
Salon 1905 also has a little sister offering a bit less expensive experience.
Salon 5 is located in Novi Beograd.
Bib Gourmand
Now those 12 I have so far listed were the ones having an actual Michelin guide recommendation for the year 2022.
But here is your bonus: There were also two restaurants that got the Bib Gourmand Award.
This award is given to restaurants that are not considered to be fine dining, but give a great value for money.
I’d suggest following these nominations if you are looking for something interesting, but not too expensive.
Not only in Belgrade but everywhere.
This category is especially interesting for us traveling after local culinary experiences.
Iva New Balkan Cuisine
Kneginje Ljubice 11
As Iva New Balkan Cuisine got their Bib Gourmand status review mentioned them offering excellent quality food at a reasonable price in a friendly neighborhood restaurant.
Also Iva has a sister, she’s called Iris New Balkan Cuisine and she lives at Sarajevska 54.
Though she might not be expecting guests at the moment.
Check that before visiting as rumors sadly say she won’t be accepting anyone anymore.
Bela Reka
Tošin Bunar 179
Bela Reka was awarded for preserving the identity of traditional Serbian cuisine and promoting local farmers and producers.
They have their own farm in the Homolje mountains and their idea is to offer Serbian food cooked with grandmas’ recipes.
Sustainability is an important value for them.
Btw, if you’re reading the Michelin guide, Bela Reka doesn’t mean “by the river” as they write, but “a white river”.
Not located by the river but in Novi Beograd.
Recommended for those tasting traditional Serbian food for the first time.
3 new shining stars to the Belgrade restaurant sky
And finally… Let’s go to meet the new kids in town
– the new Belgrade Michelin stars!
Ta-daa! Here are the…
Before announcing the results
I must admit that I am awfully disappointed.
To be fair, I have not been dining in any of the new restaurants on the list.
So I can not say inspectors were wrong, but still.
Let’s put it this way, I’m passionate about food, I love places kept with love and passion.
Chefs running their own restaurants.
Okay, I might have a bit too romantic idea in this scene, but here we go.
Decide yourself.
All three new nominations went to huge international hotel chains,
I mean of course to the restaurants, but.
Please prove me wrong, but I’m disappointed.
Metropolitan Grill
Milentija Popovića 5
Metropolitan Grill is a restaurant located in the Hyatt Regency hotel in Novi Beograd.
I’ve only been here once for a meeting and enjoyed a cup of tea at the hotel lounge.
Also haven’t heard any of the Belgrade foodies mentioning their restaurant so let’s see how the Michelin guide is explaining their choice:
“The Metropolitan Grill, located close to the Museum of Contemporary Art, within the grounds of an international hotel chain, puts Mediterranean cuisine in the limelight. In a cosmopolitan setting, where Serbian, Balkan and Oriental influences rub shoulders, the à la carte dishes will satisfy even the most exacting palates.”
Sky Lounge
Kralja Milana 35
Sky Lounge is a roof top restaurant of Hilton Belgrade.
Heyyy, my sister visiting Belgrade went here to drink champagne with her new friends! But I don’t think that gives me enough authority to rate their restaurant.
Again referring to Michelin guide with no experience of their restaurant:
“With an eclectic musical ambiance and affording unobstructed city vistas, SkyLounge delivers contemporary cuisine with international flavors, merging Asian and Mediterranean influences. The fish selection is to die for!”
Am I the only one disturbed by the Michelin inspector telling that the fish selection here is to die for?
I’m sorry but this just sounds more like an advertisement and not a restaurant review.
It seems that I really have to pay a visit to taste it myself.
Twenty Two
Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69
Twenty Two is a rooftop restaurant of the Metropol Palace, part of a Marriott hotel chain.
Hey, I’ve been here! Well, once, for the wine exhibition held this November.
So I again refer to the Michelin guide article:
“At Twenty Two, perched on the tenth floor of the Hotel Metropol, in the university district, the cuisine is renowned for its high quality and the cocktail bar for its sophistication. The pleasant experience is complemented by the 360-degree city panorama, enabling gourmets to experience incredible sunset views.”
I wasn’t expecting anything of the nominations for the next year, but seeing the results I was quite surprised.
Maybe the hotel restaurants are not faded glory and I’m just being prejudiced.
I’ll need to find out.
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P.S. If you are a new kid in town, I’d recommend trying something from the original list.
JaM, Dvoriste, Iva, Enso, Homa… depending on your budget.
What are your top places for fine dining in Belgrade?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
PLUS keep reading, I have updated the list!
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There are 5 for 24
Belgrade is aiming high – and has done pretty well.
Finally, getting on the world’s culinary map for 2024, Belgrade got five new recommendations for the highly chased Michelin list.
I promised to keep this list updated, si here we go.
I just can’t hold it. I have to update this first: Klub Književnika made it on the list!
I had my birthday dinner here in 2022 and this place is a must-try.
How would I describe it?
Well, I said already back then that this place is a Michelin-style fine dining. So now it officially is!
There were a few other ones also, that I haven’t tried myself, at least yet. But I’ll list them here too, of course.
KLUB KNJIŽEVNIKA
Francuska 7
My choice from the new list, definitely!
Michelin Guide describes Klub Književnika this way: “More than 70 years of history for this emblematic Serbian eatery; one of the most popular cultural cafés to emerge after World War II. The atmosphere is traditional with a cozy decor.“
I love local eateries, but I wouldn’t describe this restaurant as an “eatery”. It sounds a bit too… umm… how to put it. Well, this is the place for fine dining. Not just to fill your stomach.
The name tells that it is the Author’s Club, so for me as a writer, it’s kind of my living room.
But it’s nowadays just a name. You don’t have to be a published author to dine there.
Just go!
But it’s better to make a reservation, especially on the weekends, as Klub Književnika is very popular amongst Belgradian foodies.
ISTOK
Gosodar Jevremova 50
Istok got “only” a Bib gourmand. Even though this restaurant didn’t get an actual Michelin star or recommendation, it’s one of the restaurants that Belgradian foodies talk about.
The Michelin inspectors wrote that Istok made it to the list proposing simple but generous authentic Vietnamese cuisine. They particularly appreciated the Goi Cuon, a vegetarian summer roll. The ambiance is a classic oriental setting, enhanced by traditional lanterns, they say.
I haven’t been there, but one of our gourmand friends (unfortunately passed away already) was always talking about this place.
L’ADRESSE
Svetog Save 10
Again, one of the hotel restaurants made it in the Michelin Guide.
I don’t know if it is good or what, but I sometimes wonder if the Michelin inspectors are too lazy to get out of their hotels or something.
Anyway, L’Adresse is located in a luxury Saint Ten Hotel and got on the Michelin list.
So as far as we can trust Michelin inspectors, this must be a good choice.
I can’t tell as I haven’t tasted it.
NA ĆOŠKU
Beogradska 37
To be honest, this was a huge surprise for me. Why?
Simply because I have never even heard about this restaurant! Yep, quite embarrassing to confess as a foodie who writes about culinary traveling.
Let’s not talk about how many years I’ve been living in Belgrade…
I just borrow a few lines from the Michelin Guide article:
“Na Ćošku, located in the east of the city in a quiet neighborhood, is a French bistro-style restaurant with an inviting atmosphere and a mix of Serbian and international cuisine. Lamb in white wine is a house classic, tasty, and evocative of Serbia and its interesting meat production.“
Now this description makes it sound like it is very far from the center of the city, but it isn’t. It’s actually only a few minutes walk from the Republic Aquae, and very near to the Nikola Tesla Museum.
PINÒT
Omladinskih Brigada 86ž
Pinòt is also one of those restaurants I have never tried. It’s located in the Novi Beograd and as I’m living in the Stari Grad, the old town, I’m just a bit too lazy to go to the other side of the Sava river these days.
It’s not far, just a a few kilometers, but I’m spoiled with the fantastic restaurants on my side if the river anyway.
This is how the Michelin inspectors described Pinòt:
“Pinòt, positioned halfway between innovation and classic cuisine with a wide menu. It produces fresh, seasonal cuisine, which changes frequently, generous portions and classic preparations presented in graceful forms. It is located in new Belgrade, the modern part of the city.“
I have nothing to tell about the restaurant, but I have to add that “New Belgrade” (Novi Beograd) is not so much the modern part of the city, but it was in the Yugoslavian era.
If you like brutalism, or architecture in general, this part of Belgrade is for you.
I prefer the Old Town’s classism style. (I guess I should translate some of my Finnish posts about this.)
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