Where to Eat Cheap in Belgrade: Street Food, Bakeries, Pizza & Grill
- Belgrade Turtle Cruise
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
One of the questions visitors ask us all the time is:
Where can we eat well in Belgrade without spending too much?
And the honest answer is: almost everywhere, if you know what to look for.
Belgrade cheap eats are not only “street food” in the classic tourist sense. They are bakeries before sightseeing, pizza slices near Republic Square, grill after a night out, sausages near Skadarlija, breadsticks locals love, and late-night food that keeps the city moving.
This is a city where people grab food on the go at all hours. You might stop for burek and yogurt in the morning, a slice of pizza between two walks, pljeskavica after a night out, or something from a bakery when everything else feels too complicated.
So instead of giving you only one type of recommendation, this guide covers the Belgrade cheap eats that are actually useful when you are exploring the city: Serbian grill, bakeries, pizza, sausages, and quick local bites.
Quick Answer: Best Cheap Eats in Belgrade
If you are short on time, here is a simple way to choose.
If you want… | Try… |
Classic Serbian grill | LOKI |
Sausages near Skadarlija | Skadarlijske Kobasice |
Local pizza slice | Bucko |
Central pizza near Republic Square | Picerija Trg |
Local famous pizza | Pizza na drva kod Mašinca |
Bakery breakfast or snack | Pekara Stub or Evropa |
24/7-style bakery convenience | Skroz Dobra Pekara |
Locally loved breadsticks | Pekara Aurelio |
Food after a night out | LOKI, Skadarlijske Kobasice, Skroz Dobra Pekara, pizza spots |
Quick food before a river cruise | bakery snack, pizza slice, or light grill meal |
What Cheap Eats Mean in Belgrade
Cheap food in Belgrade is usually simple, filling, and easy to find.
It often comes from places that do one thing well: a grill window, a bakery counter, a pizza place, or a small fast-food spot where people stop between work, university, nightlife, errands, and walks around the city.
The most common cheap eats in Belgrade include:
pljeskavica - Serbian-style grilled meat patty, usually served in a bun
ćevapi - small grilled meat rolls, often served with onions and flatbread
kobasice - sausages, especially useful after drinks or a night out
burek - flaky pastry usually filled with meat, cheese, or other fillings
yogurt - the classic drink with burek
pizza slice - a fast, cheap, reliable city snack
breadsticks - locally loved bakery comfort food
kifle and pastries - bakery staples for breakfast or snacking
sweet bakery items - quick sugar when you need energy between sightseeing stops
Belgrade is very good at this kind of food. It may not always be fancy, but it is practical, affordable, and deeply connected to everyday local life.
Belgrade Cheap Eats at a Glance
Place | Best for | What to order | Good for |
LOKI | Serbian grill | pljeskavica, ćevapi, grilled meat | late-night food, casual meal |
Skadarlijske Kobasice | sausages near Skadarlija | sausage in a bun | after Skadarlija, quick bite |
Bucko | pizza slice | pizza with toppings | casual lunch, local pizza |
Picerija Trg | central pizza | pizza slice | Republic Square area |
Pizza na drva kod Mašinca | local famous pizza | wood-fired pizza | students, locals, casual meal |
Pekara Stub | bakery food | burek, pastries, bread | breakfast, quick snack |
Evropa | classic bakery | pastries, savory bakery items | breakfast, casual snack |
Skroz Dobra Pekara | convenient bakery chain | pastries, sandwiches, bakery snacks | late-night food, quick stop |
Pekara Aurelio | bread sticks | bread sticks | local favorite, bakery snack |
Best Cheap Eats and Street Food in Belgrade
LOKI
Best for: classic Serbian street food
What to try: pljeskavica, ćevapi, grilled meat in a bun
Area: Dorćol / city center
Good for: late-night food, casual dinner, meat lovers
LOKI is one of Belgrade’s classic Serbian grill spots.
It has been part of the city’s fast-food culture for years, especially for people who want something filling, local, and unfussy. This is the kind of place you go to when you are hungry after walking around the city, after drinks, or after a long day when a proper restaurant feels like too much effort.
The main reason to go is simple: Serbian grill.
Think pljeskavica, ćevapi, grilled meat, sauces, onions, and a meal that is not trying to be delicate. It is hearty, fast, and very Belgrade.
LOKI is especially useful if you are spending time around Dorćol, Strahinjića Bana, Skadarlija, or the old city. It is not the lightest option before sightseeing, but it is one of those places that makes sense when you want something local and filling.
Skadarlijske Kobasice
Best for: sausages after Skadarlija
What to try: grilled sausages in a bun
Area: near Skadarlija
Good for: after drinks, late-night food, quick local bite
Skadarlijske Kobasice is one of those places that fits its location perfectly.
Skadarlija is Belgrade’s old bohemian quarter, known for kafanas, music, rakija, cobbled streets, and long evenings. After spending time there, a sausage stand nearby feels almost inevitable.
This is not a formal meal. It is quick, smoky, simple, and exactly the kind of food that makes sense after drinks or a night out.
The appeal is the smell, the speed, and the fact that you can see your food being prepared right in front of you. There are usually different sausage options and toppings, so you can make it as simple or as loaded as you want.
If you are planning to explore Skadarlija, this is an easy cheap-eats stop to keep in mind.
Bucko
Best for: indulgent local fast food
What to try: pizza with their famous sauces, or a loaded sandwich
Good for: fast food, nostalgic local pizza, post-night-out food, a love-it-or-hate-it Belgrade bite
Bucko is one of those Belgrade fast-food names many locals recognize immediately.
Calling it “pizza” is technically true, but also slightly misleading. This is not the place to go if you are looking for a classic Italian-style slice. In fact, every Italian would probably be personally offended if we described Bucko that way.
Bucko is more indulgent, messy, oily, saucy, and very much its own thing.
People do stop there for a quick meal, but the real Bucko identity is in the toppings and sauces that go over the pizza. That is what made it iconic. Some people love it, some people hate it, but almost everyone understands what kind of food experience it represents.
It is especially popular as the kind of heavy, satisfying bite you get after a night out, when you want something warm, salty, filling, and not remotely delicate.
For visitors, Bucko is useful because it gives you a taste of Belgrade fast-food nostalgia. Do not go expecting refined pizza. Go expecting a locally famous, sauce-covered, post-night-out kind of meal.
Picerija Trg
Best for: central pizza near Republic Square
What to try: pizza slice
Area: Republic Square / city center
Good for: quick central bite, sightseeing break, budget lunch
Picerija Trg is useful for one very practical reason: location.
If you are around Republic Square, Knez Mihailova, the National Theatre, or the city center, you may not want to sit down for a full meal. Sometimes you just need a quick slice before continuing toward Kalemegdan, Dorćol, Skadarlija, or your next stop.
That is where a central pizza place makes sense.
Picerija Trg is the kind of cheap eat that works best when timing matters. It is good for a short break, a casual lunch, or a fast bite before sightseeing.
Pizza na drva kod Mašinca
Best for: local famous pizza
What to try: wood-fired pizza
Area: near the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Good for: students, locals, casual pizza meal
Pizza na drva kod Mašinca is a locally known pizza name in Belgrade.
The name itself tells part of the story: the first place opened across the street from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, which is why people know it as “kod Mašinca.” Over time, it became one of those local food names people recognize even if they do not think of it as a tourist recommendation.
This is a good option if you want something casual, familiar, and locally famous.
It is especially useful if you are exploring outside the most obvious tourist route or if you like trying places that became popular through everyday local use rather than polished branding.
Pekara Stub
Best for: bakery breakfast or quick snack
What to try: burek (personal fave XD), mrežica kulen, žu-žu,...
Good for: breakfast, budget snack, food on the go
You cannot really talk about cheap eats in Belgrade without talking about bakeries.
Pekara Stub is one of the local bakery names worth including because bakeries are part of the city’s daily rhythm. People stop in the morning before work, between errands, after school, or whenever they need something quick and affordable.
For visitors, a bakery is often the easiest way to eat cheaply in Belgrade.
Try burek with yogurt if you want a classic local breakfast. Or choose a pastry, kifla, pogačica, or something sweet if you just need a snack while walking.
Evropa
Best for: classic bakery food
What to try: sarajevska pita, mini gibanice, pohovana palačinka,...
Good for: breakfast, snack, casual local stop
Evropa is another bakery option that fits the everyday Belgrade cheap-eats category.
This is the kind of place that is useful because you do not always want a restaurant. Sometimes you want something fast, warm, cheap, and easy to eat while moving through the city.
Bakeries like Evropa are especially helpful in the morning or between sightseeing stops.
They are also good when you are traveling with people who all want something different: someone wants savory, someone wants sweet, someone wants a drink, someone just needs bread or a snack.
That flexibility is why bakeries matter so much in Belgrade, and this one is usually open 24/7.
Skroz Dobra Pekara
Best for: convenient bakery chain
What to try: mini sandwiches, pizza meal deals, healthier bakery options
Good for: late-night food, quick snack, reliable chain option
Skroz Dobra Pekara is a popular bakery chain in Belgrade, and that makes it useful in a different way from smaller local bakeries.
Because there are multiple locations, it is one of those names visitors may see more than once while walking around the city. Some branches are known for long or even 24/7-style working hours, although hours can vary by location, so always check the branch near you.
This is a good option when you need something simple and predictable: a pastry, sandwich, slice, sweet snack, or quick bakery meal.
It may not feel as charming as a small neighborhood bakery, but it can be extremely convenient - especially late at night, early in the morning, or when you just need food fast.
Pekara Aurelio
Best for: locally loved breadsticks
What to try: breadsticks (garlicky, cheesy or just salty)
Good for: bakery snack, local favorite, quick bite
Pekara Aurelio deserves a spot because of one specific local love: bread sticks.
Some cheap eats are not famous because they are dramatic. They are famous because people keep going back for one simple thing done well.
Aurelio fits that mood.
If you are nearby and want a small, local bakery snack rather than a full meal, this is a good place to keep in mind. Bread sticks are easy to carry, easy to share, and perfect when you want something quick before continuing your walk.
What to Order If You Want to Eat Like a Local
Belgrade cheap eats are easiest when you know a few basic words.
Pljeskavica
Pljeskavica is one of the classic Serbian fast-food orders. It is a grilled meat patty, usually served in a bun with toppings and sauces.
It is filling, affordable, and common at grill spots.
Ćevapi
Ćevapi are small grilled meat rolls, often served with onion and flatbread. They are another classic Balkan grill option.
Kobasice
Kobasice means sausages. Around Skadarlija and nightlife areas, they make perfect after-drinks food.
Burek and yogurt
Burek with yogurt is one of the most classic bakery breakfasts in Serbia.
Burek is flaky, greasy in the best way, filling, and usually comes with meat, cheese (don't say this to a Bosnian XD), or other fillings. Yogurt balances it perfectly.
Pizza slice
Pizza slices are everywhere in Belgrade and are one of the easiest cheap meals when you are walking through the city.
Bread sticks
Bread sticks are a beloved bakery snack. They are simple, cheap, and very easy to eat on the go.
Kifle, pogačice, and pastries
If you are in a bakery and do not know what to order, just look around. Belgrade bakeries are full of small savory and sweet options that work for breakfast, snacks, or emergency hunger.
Best Cheap Eats by Situation
Hungry near Republic Square?
Try Picerija Trg, nearby bakeries, or other fast-food spots around the center. This is one of the easiest areas to find something quick before walking to Knez Mihailova, Kalemegdan, or Skadarlija.
Exploring Skadarlija?
Skadarlijske Kobasice is the obvious quick bite nearby, especially after drinks or a long kafana evening.
Walking around Dorćol?
LOKI can work if you want Serbian grill, while nearby bakeries or pizza places can be easier if you want something lighter.
Need breakfast?
Go to a bakery. Order burek and yogurt if you want the classic choice, or choose pastries, kifle, pogačice, or something sweet.
Need late-night food?
Look for grill spots, pizza, Skadarlijske Kobasice, LOKI, or a nearby Skroz Dobra Pekara branch. Just check the specific location’s working hours.
Want something before a river cruise?
Keep it simple. A bakery snack, pizza slice, or lighter grill meal is usually easier than a heavy restaurant meal right before boarding.
Hungry after a sunset cruise?
Depending on your route, continue toward Dorćol, Skadarlija, or the city center for late-night food, pizza, sausages, or grill.
Cheap Eats Before or After a Belgrade River Cruise
If you are taking a Belgrade sunset cruise, cheap eats can actually work better than a formal restaurant meal.
Before a cruise, you may not want anything too heavy or slow. You want something easy, quick, and close enough that you are not rushing to the boat.
Good pre-cruise ideas include:
a bakery snack
a slice of pizza
a light sandwich or pastry
a quick grill meal if you leave enough time
bread sticks or something easy to carry
After a cruise, you may be more in the mood for proper late-night Belgrade food.
That is when places like LOKI, Skadarlijske Kobasice, pizza spots, and bakeries start making even more sense.
A simple evening could look like this:
Walk through the old city or Dorćol
Grab a quick cheap bite
Head toward the river
Take a sunset cruise
Continue toward Skadarlija, Dorćol, or the city center for a late-night snack
It is relaxed, affordable, and very Belgrade.
What to Know About Cheap Eats in Belgrade
Bakeries are everywhere
When in doubt, find a bakery. They are one of the easiest, cheapest, and most useful food options in Belgrade.
Carry some cash
Many places accept cards, but small fast-food spots, kiosks, bakeries, or older local places can be easier with cash.
Opening hours vary
Some places work late, and some bakery branches may work 24/7, but do not assume every location has the same hours. Check the specific place before you go.
Lines can happen
Popular cheap eats can have lines, especially late at night, after parties, or around busy central areas.
Portions can be large
Serbian fast food can be very filling. If you are eating before a cruise or before a long walk, choose wisely.
Meat is common, but not your only option
Belgrade cheap eats are often meat-heavy, especially grill spots. But bakeries, pizza places, and some modern fast-food options can help if you want something without meat.
Not every place is a sit-down restaurant
Many cheap eats are takeaway-style. That is part of the culture. Grab your food, sit in a park, or continue exploring.
Check location before going
Some places have moved, some have multiple branches, and some names are used in more than one location. Always check the current location before building your plan around a specific spot.
Final Thoughts: Cheap Eats in Belgrade Are Part of the City
Eating cheap in Belgrade is not only about saving money.
It is about understanding the rhythm of the city.
People eat burek on the way to work. Students grab pizza near faculty buildings. Friends stop for grill after drinks. Someone buys bread sticks because they have been craving them all day. A night out ends with sausages near Skadarlija. A long walk turns into a bakery stop. A sunset cruise becomes part of a simple evening with food before or after the river.
That is why cheap eats matter.
They are not polished, slow, or ceremonial. They are practical, local, and woven into everyday Belgrade life.
So if you want to eat like the city actually moves, try the bakeries, pizza slices, grill spots, sausages, and local fast food.
You do not need a fancy reservation to taste Belgrade.
Sometimes all you need is a paper bag from a bakery, a slice of pizza, or a pljeskavica eaten after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Eats in Belgrade
What is the best cheap food in Belgrade?
Some of the best cheap food in Belgrade includes pljeskavica, ćevapi, burek with yogurt, pizza slices, sausages, bread sticks, and bakery pastries.
What street food should I try in Belgrade?
Try Serbian grill such as pljeskavica or ćevapi, sausages near Skadarlija, pizza slices, and bakery food like burek, kifle, pogačice, and sweet pastries.
Where can I eat cheap near Republic Square?
Near Republic Square, look for pizza places such as Picerija Trg, bakeries, and fast-food spots around the city center. It is one of the easiest areas to find a quick budget meal.
Where can I eat cheap near Skadarlija?
Near Skadarlija, Skadarlijske Kobasice is a popular quick option for sausages, especially after drinks or a night out. You can also find bakeries, grill spots, and pizza nearby.
Are bakeries cheap in Belgrade?
Yes. Bakeries are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to eat in Belgrade. They are useful for breakfast, snacks, quick lunches, and late-night food.
What should I order at a Serbian bakery?
At a Serbian bakery, try burek with yogurt, kifle, pogačice, bread sticks, savory pastries, sweet pastries, or a simple sandwich.
Is Belgrade good for late-night food?
Yes. Belgrade is good for late-night food, especially around nightlife areas, the city center, Skadarlija, Dorćol, grill spots, pizza places, and some bakery chains. Opening/Closing hours vary by location.
What is pljeskavica?
Pljeskavica is a Serbian-style grilled meat patty, usually served in a bun with toppings, onions, sauces, and other additions.
What is burek?
Burek is a flaky pastry commonly filled with meat, cheese, or other fillings. In Serbia, it is often eaten with yogurt, especially for breakfast.
Where should I eat before a Belgrade river cruise?
Before a Belgrade river cruise, choose something quick and not too heavy, such as a bakery snack, pizza slice, bread sticks, sandwich, or light grill meal. Leave enough time to reach the boat calmly.
Where should I eat after a Belgrade river cruise?
After a Belgrade river cruise, you can continue toward Dorćol, Skadarlija, or the city center for pizza, grill, sausages, or bakery food, depending on what is open and what kind of evening you want.
Is Belgrade street food good for tourists?
Yes. Belgrade street food and cheap eats are good for tourists because they are affordable, filling, easy to find, and part of everyday local life. Just check opening hours and choose busy, well-reviewed places.