Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
Sanja Markovic
January 16, 2025
Picture this: you’re in a cozy Serbian kafana, the aroma of freshly grilled ćevapi filling the air, and the only thing standing between you and a perfect meal is the language. How do you ask for that stiff shot of rakija or a steaming plate of sarma? Don’t worry — learning how to order food and drinks in Serbian is easier (and tastier) than you think!
Armed with essential phrases, you’ll be ready to order like a local and savor every bite. Sounds good? Let’s dig in!
If you’re living or traveling in Serbia and happen to be a foodie — you’ll fit right in. Restaurants, cafes, and kafanas are at every corner, especially in big cities. And you can wine and dine like royalty, or get a daily caffeine fix — as long as you know how to work the menu and tell the waiter what your palate desires.
So, here we go!
While you can drop by any cafe whenever you like, a restaurant or kafana may require a booking — especially on Friday evenings and weekends. So, call in advance and book a table. Better safe than hungry, right?
Waiter: Dobar dan, izvolite. (Hello, how may I help you?)
You: Želim da rezervišem sto za četiri osobe. (I’d like to book a table for four people.)
Waiter: U koliko sati? (What time?)
You: Oko osam večeras. (Tonight, around 8.)
Of course, you’ll adjust the number of people and time according to your needs.
Whether you’re going to a fancy restaurant or a moody kafana full of tipsy locals, it’s the same drill. As you saw above, the waiter will approach you and say the magic word: Izvolite!
Here are different ways to order, let’s say, coffee in Serbian:
All these phrases boil down to the same thing — asking for coffee and mineral water. As you may guess, the difference lies in the tone.
The first option is formal and, therefore, safe in any situation. But, since Serbs like to keep things casual, the second and third phrases will work most of the time.
But if you’re a frequent customer and on friendly terms with the staff, the last option, daj mi (give me), might feel the most natural. While it may sound blunt, in Serbia, people often favor friendliness over politeness. As a result, direct, casual language usually feels warmer and more genuine than overly formal manners.
Also, here’s how to ask for an item that might or might not be available:
Je l’ imate sladoled od vanile? [informal: Je l’ imaš sladoled od vanile?]
(Do you have vanilla ice cream?)
Sometimes, items on the menu can seem like an enigma. Naturally, this goes double if you’re in a foreign country. So, when you want to know what’s inside, you can ask šta ide u [menu item] or sa čim je [menu item]. For instance:
Šta ide u ovaj koktel?
(What goes into this cocktail?)
Sa čim je ova pica?
(What’s on this pizza?)
Or, when you want to identify a type of ingredient:
Je l’ ovaj sendvič sa piletinom ili sa govedinom?
(Is this sandwich with chicken or beef?)
People with dietary restrictions, as well as picky eaters, need to be extra detailed when ordering food and drinks. Luckily, we’ve got two tiny words that’ll do the magic:
Je l’ može espresso bez mleka?
(Can I get espresso without milk?)
Daj mi espresso sa sojinim mlekom. [sojino mleko – soy milk]
(Give me espresso with soy milk.)
Mala kaprićoza bez sira
(Small capricciosa without cheese.)
Of course, it’s always wise to tell your waiter if you have an allergy, so that they can help you choose:
Je l’ imate neku tortu bez mleka? Alergična sam na mlečne proizvode.
(Do you have any cake without milk? I’m allergic to dairy.)
Once you have your fill, it’s time to foot the bill. In Serbia, the most polite way to summon the staff is non-verbally. Instead of calling out to the server, raise a hand and wait till they see you. When they’re within earshot, you can ask for the check:
Račun, molim. [formal
(Check please.)
Je l’ može račun? [neutral]
(Can I get the check?)
The inevitable question ensues:
Keš ili kartica?
(Cash or card?)
After you choose your preferred method, all that’s left to do is complete the payments and say hvala (thanks).
But what about the tip (bakšiš)? While it’s not mandatory, most customers reward attentive servers with anywhere between 10 and 15% of the total bill. Want to avoid math? Pay with cash and tell them, u redu je (it’s alright), which means keep the change.
There’s nothing like a local fast-food shop when you’re up for a quick bite. Ordering there works the same as anywhere else; you say what you want and choose the toppings. For instance:
Može pet ćevapa u lepinji. Od priloga stavite kupus, luk, i pavlaku.
(I want 5 ćevapi in flatbread. As for the toppings, add cabbage, onion, and sour cream.)
Then they’ll likely ask you, za ovde ili za poneti, and you should pick one:
Fun fact: the phrase za poneti is technically incorrect, yet Serbs use it all the time. Learn more about it in our Instagram post.
Here are a few more expressions, for a smooth dining experience.
Sometimes, you want a topping or a part of a meal on the side. So, for instance, if you don’t want kajmak on top of your pljeskavica (hamburger) say:
Može mala pljeskavica i kajmak sa strane.
(I want a small hamburger and kajmak on the side.)
For example, you can have your ćevapi on a plate.
Deset ćevapa na tanjiru i pomfrit.
(Ten ćevapi on the plate and french fries.)
Or you can have them inside a flatbread or bun.
Pet ćevapa u lepinji sa lukom.
(Five ćevapi in a flatbread with onion.)
Once you’re done ordering, you cap it off with this phrase. For instance:
You: Dva sendviča sa piletinom. (Two chicken sandwiches.)
Server: Želite nešto za piće? (Would you like something to drink?)
You: Može malo pivo i ceđena pomorandža. (I want a small beer and squeezed orange juice.)
Server: Još nešto? (Anything else?)
You: To je sve. (That’s all.)
At last, you know how to order food and drinks in Serbian, so put on your stretchy pants — it’s chow time! After all, Serbian cuisine is diverse, rich in flavor, and comes in extra-large portions.
And while you’re giving your taste buds a treat, may we suggest a linguistic dessert with Serbian flavor? Our menu is vast, and for the main course, we recommend online 1-on-1 lessons — an intensive yet flexible way to learn Serbian and achieve your language goals. Bon appétit, or should we say prijatno?
Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
Pressed for time in the Serbian capital? Worry not! You can see, taste, and experience plenty in a single day — as long as you