If you’re a tourist, chances are you will arrive at or leave from Belgrade Main Bus station; even so, many people rush trough it, visiting only the restroom (if absolutely necessary). I cannot say I blame them. However, if you take a closer look at this café located in front of the departure platforms, you will see that the nature of the station dictates the astounding diversity of those who sit and drink here, making it an unexpectedly atmospheric space.
Truth be told, "buffet" is a perfect word to describe it: here you will find young globetrotters, family people going to their hometowns, local drunks, middle-aged ladies involved in conversation... It is cheap and often filled with guests around the lovely old-school wooden bar. The buffet is obviously an essential part of this structure, dedicated to travelers, so it opens at dawn – this is when I like to visit it the most: the warm sun shows up right behind the bar and the domestic coffee is served in old brownish cups. Also, do not fail to notice the bartender’s suit!
A small afternote: the Belgrade Waterfront is rising up at the riverbank as I’m writing this, being a sort of landscape-interruption, thus some skyscrapers might soon influence this buffet-based sunrise. The Bus Station will also be moved, and the old Railway Station has already been put to sleep; I advise you to take a few more steps and walk through its pale yellow building before it becomes a pale museum.
Železnička 4
Domestic coffee:
RSD
80
Find your way with 199 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
This is a Serbian street food restaurant that has adapted old local specialties with top quality ingredients. Oh, the somun bread... Oh, their lepinja...
by
"Akademija 28" Belgrade has been made better throughout the years, just like fine wine. I like coming to this bar for the jazz & the weathered atmosphere."
by
"Meze Restaurant" in New Belgrade is in an unusual location, but believe me, this place makes amazing Greek food...
by
"Belgrade Design District" used to be an abandoned shopping mall - now it's an emerging space where established artists and designers showcase their work!
by
"Bioskop Zvezda" in Belgrade is an impressive, historical, occupied, or should we say liberated cinema that's run by a small group of enthusiastic people.
by
"Beton Hala", or 'Concrete Hall' in Belgrade is a popular restaurant oasis with restaurants lined up just 10m from the Sava. Everything's quality here...
by
"Cetinjska 15" is Belgrade's new hotspot. It's the Serbian Kreuzberg at what once used to be a beer factory. Much more worth it than Skadarlija...
by
"Savska Promenada" Belgrade is a brand-new walking zone on the bank of the river Sava. It's a perfect place w/ many terraces for working out brain & body.
by
"The Clock" is a mural in Belgrade created in 2011. It's a working clock made of 20,000 LEDs. It's a symbol of time passing and a new, digital era...
by
The "Televizorke" in Belgrade always take my childhood, to idyllic Yugoslavia, when this building with the windows that look like televisions was built...
by
199 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 199 Insider Tips