Bus Station Buffet – Old, busy and scenic

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.