Oh boy, I'll never forget the first time I tried Holy Smokes, long before their first place was actually opened. It was a game-changer and I remember thinking "even my mum doesn't make meat this good". Sorry, mum!
Everything started when Aleksandar, the owner, watched one of Anthony Bourdain's shows. That inspired him to make his own smoker (wood-burning stove) after more than 6 months of research.
Holy Smokes supports a "fast casual" concept, offering immediately (just like fast food) extremely high-quality meat such as what you'd usually be served at a restaurant.
The smoker is up all night; beef is prepared for 12 hours and pork for 10. Condiments are also made from scratch -- you won't find ketchup here. My advice is to opt for a meal that includes beef, chicken or pork butt or ribs, a salad (coleslaw, corn samba, beetroot with horseradish or pickles), sides (Mac 'n' cheese, baked beans, Texas potatoes with pickles and mustard), a condiment (amazing barbecue sauces or garlic jam) and flatbread.
When I discovered them, they did have a store but they also used to participate at different food events around Belgrade, so it was difficult to track them down. Luckily, now I can regularly enjoy their barbecue at three locations: in Novi Beograd (Aleksinačkih rudara 16), at Cetinjska street (close to many pubs, so drop by before having some beers) and at Gvožđara 1870.
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