Balkan cuisine is a delicious mix of flavors from Southeastern Europe. It’s got a long, rich history and influences from all sorts of cultures.
More and more people are looking for authentic Balkan food these days. What better way to find it than to search for “Balkan foods near me”?
Let’s explore some of the most popular Balkan dishes, so you know what to look for when you’re browsing local menus.
Must-try Balkan dishes
Balkan cuisine features a delicious mix of grilled meats and hearty soups, perfect for any time of year.
Grilled Meats
You’ll find many versions of grilled meat dishes throughout the Balkans. Here are a few favorites:
- Cevapi are small, skinless sausages made of minced meat, often served with ajvar (a red pepper relish), onions, and somun bread.
- Pljeskavica is a grilled, spiced meat patty made from a mixture of pork, beef, and lamb. It’s considered a national dish of Serbia and is also popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
- Karnache, kebapche, kufte, and spicy kufte are other examples of grilled Balkan dishes offering a variety of meat preparations and spice combinations.
Hearty Soups
Soups play an important role in Balkan cuisine, especially during the colder months. Some popular choices include:
- Cold Soup Tarator (a refreshing cucumber and yogurt soup, perfect for summer)
- Honeycomb Beef Tripe Soup
- Vegetable Soup
- Meatball Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
Balkan baked goods and sandwiches
Craving a quick bite? Balkan bakeries and restaurants offer a range of delicious options.
Balkan bakeries
Be sure to try the flaky, layered pastry called burek. You can find it filled with cheese, meat, or spinach. It’s a common choice for breakfast or a quick snack.
Balkan bakeries often offer other tempting treats, such as kiflice, a crescent-shaped roll, and pogača, a type of savory bread.
Sandwiches and gyros
Princesa is an open-faced sandwich, usually topped with cheese, meat, or egg.
You might also find Greek-style gyros made with lamb, chicken, or veggies. The best gyros are made with fresh ingredients and flavorful sauces.
Salads, sides, and desserts
No meal is complete without a salad, a side, and a sweet treat!
Refreshing salads
Many Balkan restaurants offer a fresh Shopska salad, a Bulgarian standard made with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions, topped with a generous helping of sirene cheese (a brined cheese similar to feta).
You may also find Greek salad, shepherd salad, or Caesar salad on the menu.
Complementary sides
Typical sides include french fries, breaded calamari, mac & cheese bites, onion rings, and mini potato cakes.
Sweet endings
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with baklava, a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of flaky filo dough filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with honey or syrup.
You might also find tulumba (a fried dough soaked in syrup) or cannoli (tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet, creamy filling).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of the Balkans?
That’s a tricky question because the Balkans aren’t a single country! Each nation boasts its own culinary pride. However, if I had to pick one dish that resonates across the region, it would probably be ćevapi. These grilled, skinless sausages are a staple from Bosnia to Serbia, Croatia, and beyond, often served with somun (a type of flatbread), ajvar (a roasted red pepper spread), and kajmak (a creamy dairy product).
Why is Balkan food so good?
Well, that’s subjective, of course, but many people find Balkan food so delicious because of its emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, simple preparations that highlight natural flavors, and the generous use of herbs and spices. The region’s diverse history, influenced by Ottoman, Mediterranean, and Central European cultures, has also contributed to a rich and varied culinary landscape.
What is typical Balkan food?
Typical Balkan food is hearty and comforting, often featuring grilled meats, stews, and savory pastries. Think of dishes like burek (a flaky pastry filled with cheese or meat), sarma (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), pljeskavica (a grilled meat patty), and various types of soups and stews. Don’t forget the abundance of fresh salads, cheeses, and bread that accompany most meals! It’s all about simple, flavorful food meant to be shared with family and friends.
Key Takeaways
Balkan food is as diverse as the region itself. From grilled meats to hearty soups and stews to savory pastries and decadent desserts, there’s a Balkan dish to satisfy every palate.
Why not explore the Balkan restaurants and bakeries in your area? You might discover a new favorite food.
Balkan cuisine offers a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.