Best Burgers in Sarajevo: Beyond Ćevapi

The best burgers in Sarajevo are spread along the city’s long east–west axis: around Baščaršija, the Ottoman-era bazaar, along the pedestrian Ferhadija street, and in the newer business district of Marijin Dvor and the residential areas of Grbavica and Novo Sarajevo. Most are beef burgers, and halal meat is the norm in much of the city.

Sarajevo’s grilled-meat institution is ćevapi, not the hamburger. These small, skinless rolls of minced beef, sometimes mixed with lamb, are grilled over charcoal and served by the portion in somun, a soft, puffy flatbread, with raw onion and kajmak. The ćevabdžinicas of Baščaršija have served them for decades, and any burger in town is judged against them. Pljeskavica, the larger flat patty, is common too, so the Bosnian capital was eating minced meat in bread long before burger bars arrived. Pork is rare on menus.

Burgers in Sarajevo: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: Baščaršija, Ferhadija, Marijin Dvor, Grbavica and Novo Sarajevo.
• Local tradition: ćevapi in somun with chopped onion and kajmak, sold in ćevabdžinicas.
• Meat: beef and lamb dominate, and many kitchens serve halal meat.
• Currency: the convertible mark (BAM), written KM on local menus.
• Getting around: the tram line runs west from Baščaršija through Marijin Dvor to Ilidža, following the main axis of the city.

Every guide we publish on Sarajevo is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. To compare the Bosnian capital with other cities, browse our burger restaurant guides by city.