Food and cuisine have always occupied an important position in Serbian tradition. Serbian cuisine offers a variety of tastes and dishes which are known around the world. More information about the Serbian cuisine and dishes can be found on:

http://www.panacomp.net/gastronomy-of-serbia/.

The Serbian Tourist Organization has chosen gastronomy as a topic for 2012 as an integral part of what Serbia has to offer to tourists. They have made a promotional video that shows how every part of Serbia is famous for some dish or some tasty homemade product. The video is entitled ‘Soulfood Serbia’ and can be seen here: VIDEO

Food and Restaurants in Niš

In comparison with other regions in the country, the food in Niš is not only cheaper but also more delicious. One of the most characteristic local specialties is "burek", which is a kind of a pie and can be found in bakeries all around the city. Another typical Serbian food is grilled meat (barbecue) which can be found in a lot of grilled-food kiosks, basically on every corner of the city.

There are many restaurants and places-to-eat in Niš, and we will only mention some of them. They can be divided into several groups. The first group lists restaurants that are called “kafane” (sg. kafana, pl. kafane) in Serbian. These are usually smaller places with a relatively large number of tables that are in most cases decorated in the ethno style. The others groups list the restaurants and pizza places, fast food places, beer houses, bakeries and café-confectionaries. All the lists are given in alphabetical order. In larger restaurants, there is usually a division into smoking and non-smoking areas, while smoking is allowed in all smaller restaurants.

Traditional restaurants (in Serbian – kafane)

Beli bagrem (Pantelejska 30, +381 18 421 77 76)
This restaurant is well-known for its service and food and specialties that include traditionally prepared mutton meat, barbecue specialties and various dishes. It is located 1.5 km from the city center.

Brka (Jelašnica, +381 18 46 40 113, http://www.kafanabrka.com/)
Located in a village 12 km away from Niš, on a road towards Mt. Suva planina and just before the Gorge of Jelašnica, this restaurant offers local specialties that are prepared in the old-fashioned way. Literal translation of the name – a man with moustache.

Dagi plus (Radmile Kovačević 3, +381 18 224 423, +381 18 274 570, www.dagiplus.rs)
“Dagi plus” is located in a suburb, 3 km from the city center. This restaurant is known for specialties made from lamb and mutton meat.

Dušanov Konak (Cara Dušana 124b, +381 18 511 039, +381 60 704 04 12)
It is located in one of the most prominent streets close to the center of the city. This restaurant in the ethno style has a nice garden and it offers various ethno specialties.

Etno vodenica (Knjaževačka bb (pijaca), +381 18 577 321; +381 61 636 95 40)
Interior is designed in ethno style and represents a combination of wood and stone with ethno motifs and good food. It is located 3.5 km from the city center.

Kabak (Dragiše Cvetkovića 43, +381 65 335 73 37, http://kafanakabak.rs/)
This is a small restaurant located near the city center and the prominent streets which offers good prices for full meals.

Kod Giše (IX brigade 21, +381 18 204 104, http://www.kafanakodgise.rs/)
This restaurant represents a mix of contemporary and traditional interior enriched with the exquisite taste of the Nis barbecue which whill satisfy all of your senses and desires for good food.

Kod Rajka (Kopitareva bb, +381 241 721)
This restaurant is located in the core of the city in an alley which is known as Kazandžijsko sokače (Tinker’s Alley) and famous for abounding in coffee shops and restaurants. This is a friendly place for good value with Serbian grilled dishes which come in huge portions.

Kod Šipe (Kamenički vis, +381 18 652 111, +381 63 855 61 41)
This is the only restaurant in the city and its surroundings that offers game specialties. It is located on the Hill of Kamenica, approximately 12 km from the city center.

Mali podrum (Stevana Nemanje 14, +381 18 267 560)
Located in a quiet alley in the vicinity of the city center, this restaurant is known for good food. Literal translation of the name – small basement.

Meze (Koste Stamenkovica 3, +381 65 228 03 33, https://www.facebook.com/Kafana-MEZE-897782440305770/timeline)
Located close to the city center, this newly-opened restaurant offers mostly traditional dishes in a pleasantly and traditionally decorated space.

Mrak (Bulevar 12. februar bb, +381 18 581 234)
This restaurant is located in a suburb of Niš, 4 km from the city center. It is mostly know for great barbecue. Literal translation of the name – dark, but in colloquial language it means great, superb, delicious.

Nišlijska mehana (Prvomajska 49, +381 18 511 111, www.mehananis.com)
This restaurant represents a recognizable brand of the city of Niš and offers exquisite cuisine and drinks.

Olio (Jeronimova 32, +381 64 44 94 131 https://www.facebook.com/kafana.olio)
“Olio” is located close to the city center, shortly after the end of the promenade on the left bank of the Nišava River. This restaurant with a fifteen-year tradition is known for specialties made from lamb and mutton meat.

Orač (Knjaževačka 3, +381 18 421 41 24)
This is a restaurant located 2.5 km from the city center with home-like atmosphere where you can eat large and tasteful meals in front of a fireplace. Literal translation of the name – plowman.

Riblja konoba (Kralja Stefana Prvovenčanog 5, +381 18 257 728)
Located in a basement in the heart of the city, this restaurant is a real oasis for the remaining bohemians and for the traditional-cuisine and acoustic music lovers. Fish specialties are dominant on the Menu.

Stara Drina (Drainčeva 29, +381 18 45 60 666, +381 65 367 21 60)
Located 1 km from the city center, this small restaurant is famous for dishes made of entrails.

Stara planina Bubanj (Vojvode Putnika bb, +381 66 654 15 76, +381 64 178 78 73, https://www.facebook.com/staraplaninabubanj)
This restaurant is located across the main entrance to the Bubanj Memorial Site, about 2 km from the city center. It has a nice garden in the tree shadow and delicious game meet specialties from Mt. Stara Planina animals.

Verige (Stanoja Glavasa 39, +381 18 513 323)
Located in a very peaceful place 2.5 km from the city center, this restaurant is a small oasis of peace, and a balm for soul and eyes. Fish specialties, barbecue and national dishes are dominant on the Menu. Literal translation of the name – pothook.

Zvrk (Vožda Karađorđa 92a, +381 18 517 428, +381 64 353 28 81, http://kafanazvrk.rs/)
Founded in 2008, this restaurant is famous for its specialties and a nice garden. It is located near the city center in one of the most prominent streets.

Želja Pro (Čairska bb, +381 18 455 84 44, https://www.facebook.com/zeljapro)
This is a nice, cheerful, nostalgic, ethno and contemporary place with an irresistible traditional charm. It is located on the outskirts of the Čair Park, near the stadium.

Restaurants and pizza places

Casablanca (Jeronimova 26, +381 18 523 353, +381 69 123 18 90)
Mediterranean food and unique pizzas in a quiet part of town.

City Garden (Zetska 6a, +381 18 221 031)
Located in the vicinity of the city center on the edge of the “Čair“ park, this restaurant offers international and national cuisine.

Elite (Prijezdina 51, +381 18 514 514)
Located in a quiet street in the vicinity of the city center, this restaurant used to be a pizzeria and now it also offers European food and a great variety of high-quality wines.

Gusar (Jadranska bb, +381 18 514 555)
Located on the right bank of the Nišava river, this is the restaurant with the most beautiful view on downtown Niš and the river. The Menu offers national and international dishes, especially Hungarian and Italian cuisine. Literal translation of the name – a pirate.

Irish Pub “Crazy Horse” (Davidova 8, +381 18 590 579, +381 62 780 575, https://www.facebook.com/IrishPubCrazyHorse)
This is a modern-looking pub located in the heart of the city, near the Nišava River and the Main Square. During the day, it offers great food and a spacious garden, and during the night it offers a good time (usually) with live music.

Pizzeria “Kaktus” (IX brigade 23b, +381 18 247 588)
One of the first pizza places in Niš located near the Čair Park.

La Strega Mediteraneo (Nikole Pašića 3, +381 18 292 223, +381 69 290 22 22, http://www.picerijalastrega.rs/)
Mediterranean spirit in the city center – the menu offers fish specialties, pastas and much more.

Night and Day (Obrenovićeva 31, +381 60 325 55 52, +381 60 325 55 53, http://nightandday.rs/restoran/)
Located in the main street, this restaurant offers various salads, pastas, main courses and desserts.

Pandora (Lole Ribara 2, +381 18 521 953, +381 69 407 69 01, https://www.facebook.com/pandora.nis)
Located in a quiet street in the vicinity of the city center, this bar and restaurant offers all kinds of dishes, salads, side orders and cocktails.

Pleasure (Kopitareva 7, +381 18 517 551, +381 62 254 315, www.pleasure.rs)
Pleasure (IX brigade 27, +381 18 530 719, +381 62 254 278)
Pleasure & PizzaMario (Trg Svetog Save 31b, +381 62 254 217)
This chain of modern-food restaurants offers great service and delicious food, desserts and drinks.

Regent Club Restaurant (Generala Milojka Lešjanina 7a, +381 18 524 924, http://www.regentclub.com/restaurant.php)
Exclusive Regent Club restaurant is a place in which the guests can enjoy international cuisine dishes and quality wines from different geographic areas.

Restaurant-pizzeria “Riva” (Kej 29. decembra 18b, +381 18 523 200, +381 63 414 965, http://www.riva.rs/)
located on the promenade next to the Nišava River offers pizzas, pastas, steaks, salads, and more.

Una Volta (Milentijeva 2, +381 18 280 100, +381 66 628 01 00, https://www.facebook.com/una.volta.nis/)
Restaurant-pizza place offers pizzas, salads, sandwiches, meat dishes, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes, risotto, and more.

Fast-food

Caribic /Pizza and fast food/ (Trg Kralja Milana bb, +381 18 250 505, http://www.caribic.rs/)

Cezar /Fast Food/ (Nikole Pašića 47a, +381 65 887 27 80; Vožda Karađorđa 78, +381 18 305 443; Trg Kralja Milana 11, +381 18 588 588, http://cezar.rs/)

Ekspres Mali Vikend /Barbecue/ (Nikole Pašića 2, +381 18 527 296)

Kluzzo /Sandwiches and Pancakes/ (Nikole Pašića bb, +381 69 345 03 30; Obrenovićeva bb, http://www.kluzzo.com/)

La Strega Pizza (Nikole Pašića 1, +381 292 222, +381 65 290 22 22)

La Strega Rapido /Fast Food/ (Nikole Pašića 1, +381 18 291 111, +381 60 529 11 10)

Night and Day /Pizza and Fast Food/ (Obrenovićeva bb, +381 18 244 396, +381 61 225 55 52, http://nightandday.rs/picerija/)

Novopazarski ćevap “10 sa lukom” /Barbecue/ (Nikole Pašića 2, +381 63 707 79 01)

Novopazarski ćevap “10 u celo” /Barbecue/ (Park Svetog Save D-17a, +381 64 0 441 303)

Novopazarski ćevap “10 u pola” /Barbecue/ (Trg Kralja Milana 9, +381 61 240 02 00)

Pink Panter /Barbecue/ (Nikole Pašića 7, +381 18 288 800, +381 63 786 15 22, www.cevabdzinice.rs)

Sofronije Chicken Corner (Trg Pavla Stojkovica 2, +381 62 966 28 96)

Beer houses

Beer Book (Cara Dušana 90, +381 63 773 50 18, https://www.facebook.com/BeerBookNis/)

Beer Garden (Cara Dušana 43, +381 65 478 08 57, https://www.facebook.com/BeerGardenNis/)

Beer House (Koste Stamenkovića 1, +381 65 555 20 02, https://www.facebook.com/Beer-house-Nis-128183778627/)

Ministarstvo Beer Bar (Vojvode Vuka 12, +381 63 460 350, https://www.facebook.com/Ministarstvo-BEER-BAR-802376863218725/timeline)

Pivnica Nemir (Obilićev Venac 35, http://www.pivnicanemir.com/)

Bakeries

Brann Bakeries (Pekara Branković)(Trg Kralja Milana 9; Obrenovićeva 82; Nikole Pašića 30; Bulevar 12. februar 33/1; Vožda Karađorđa 68; Trg Republike 10; Rajićeva 30; Bulevar dr Zorana Đinđića 48; Sokolska 1; Dragiše Cvetkovića 62, http://www.brannbakery.com/)

Braško Bakery (Pekara Braško) (Trg Pavla Stojkovića 17; Vojvode Tankosića 28; Bulevar Zorana Đinđića 31; Episkopska 50, http://pekarabrasko.rs/)

MBN Bakery (Pekara MBN) (Kopitareva 23; Vožda Karađorđa 70; Bulevar Dr. Zorana Đinđića 27, www.mbnpekara.rs)

Café-confectionaries

Emona (Svetozara Markovića 23, +381 18 510 121)

Lipa (Zetska 2, +381 18 423 20 50)

Lipa&Amici (Trg Kralja Aleksandra 6, +381 66 461 461, https://www.facebook.com/lipaandamici/)

Lotos (Vojvode Mišića 113, +381 18 565 565, +381 69 356 55 65, http://hotellotos.rs/caffe-poslasticara/)

Pelivan (Trg Kralja Milana 3 - +381 526 133, Vojvode Mišića 87a)

Prima Donna (Aleksandra Nenadovića 8 - +381 18 250 161, https://www.facebook.com/Primadonna2015/)

Tramvaj (Obrenovićeva 20, +381 18 257 909, +381 18 257 802, http://www.caffetramvaj.rs/)