Why go
A pekara makes a practical stop between sights, while a sit-down meal lets you compare grilled dishes with kajmak, ajvar and vegetable sides. A green market adds another view of local produce and everyday food shopping. Zeleni Venac is one central market to consider.
The full story
Grilled meat is prominent in Serbian restaurant cooking. Roštilj refers to an assortment of grilled meats, while pljeskavica is a grilled patty often eaten as a quick meal. Salads commonly combine tomato, cucumber, onion or cabbage. Vegetables also appear grilled or cooked, so the cuisine is broader than its meat-heavy reputation suggests. Two accompaniments are worth recognizing by name: kajmak is a rich dairy spread, and ajvar is made from roasted red peppers. Bakeries, called pekara, offer breads and sweet or savory pastries that fit easily into a walk through central Belgrade. Café terraces provide another kind of pause, with Serbian Turkish-style coffee and sweets among the options. For a different food stop, visit a pijaca, or green market, to see produce sold at stalls. Zeleni Venac is one named central market. Treat these as foods and settings to look for, then choose a current venue on the day.