Vanilica Belgrade

Straight outta the oven

Dušan from Belgrade

About me My love affair with words and writing started back in the 80s. Each day I'm marking the anniversary, as I write. Journalist by vocation, working in public relations, I love bringing Belgrade and its stories closer to people, along with stories on inspiring spots elsewhere. I have another love affair with music, as well as many others. Why Belgrade? Because the mos...
""Vanilica" in Belgrade doesn't have a vast offer of pastries - it's a small, unassuming, family-run bakery that I just love for the cakes and gibanica..."

Among other things, Belgrade is definitely a city of bakeries. And for the biggest part, not such good ones. Knowing the right places would mean you're an experienced local who's spent quite some time exploring.

From the outside, Zemun's Vanilica (diminutive for vanilla) doesn't differ from any other bakery. Tucked in a cute little street not far from the green market, it can easily be passed without notice.

However, once you get in the smells and the sight of hundreds of small pastries will get a hold of your senses. Vanilica doesn't have a vast offer. They make pastries with cheese, jam, and also small cakes with walnut, poppy seeds and again cheese, but not your regular cheesecake. This one's extraordinary. Sometimes they also have gibanica, local traditional filo pastry with lots of cheese.

It's a small, family-run place, and you can sense the homemade taste in each bite. Pastries are always fresh, and almost always still warm, straight-outta-the-oven warm. I come here for the pastry with cheese, usually. Even if I'm not that hungry, it's so lovely it's almost like a dessert.

And the cakes... Oh the cakes. The walnut one is pure, beautiful walnut paste in a frame of tiny, crispy dough. And if I continue writing about other ones, I might as well go straight to Vanilica to order some. However, I have to mention the "vanilica" cookie (wah-neel-ee-tzah), after which the place is named. Order some and see why these festive bites are a local favourite.

024-burger-1
Snacks

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Belgrade Spotter Dušan

About me My love affair with words and writing started back in the 80s. Each day I'm marking the anniversary, as I write. Journalist by vocation, working in public relations, I love bringing Belgrade and its stories closer to people, along with stories on inspiring spots elsewhere. I have another love affair with music, as well as many others. Why Belgrade? Because the most beautiful places here are the ones that are most unpretentious. Because of the people who won’t let it become dull and/or ugly. Because of its lively and lovely spirit, that survives/d. ...

About this spot

Zmaj Jovina 8

Pastry (100g):

RSD

120

+381

112619854

Oct 16, 2025

Our Belgrade City Guide

Find your way with 203 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Belgrade guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Belgrade

Beogradski Manijak

Deep down and dirty

"Beogradski manijak" in Belgrade gives everyone a much-needed respite. Everything about this bar is without a hint of pretense. Cheap booze, good music!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Vladimir

Dulović

Nov 11, 2025

IMR - Old Factory

Back to socialism!

The old factory of IMR (or Industria Motora Rakovica) in Belgrade used to produce tractors... check out this old socialist façade white it's still there!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Nedeljko

Ivaniš

Nov 10, 2025

Makadam

Made in Serbia

Makadam Belgrade collects various items made in Serbia, like T-shirts, cosmetics, books, puzzles etc under one roof. I can't just not buy things here.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Vladimir

Dulović

Nov 10, 2025

Marukoshi

Straight from Japan

The level of spiciness is just right, and the soups are filled with fresh, tasty vegetables and other ingredients, depending on which ramen you choose.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Agi Pasta Gundulićev venac

Tasty and quick

Agi Pasta is my go-to spot when I need a quick lunch, as it's ready in under 10 minutes. I usually get pasta arrabbiata, which they make perfectly spicy!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Bookastore

Books and coffee in one

Beyond books, Bookastore also offers a variety of products from local designers, such as jewelry, T-shirts, bags, posters, and more.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Jevremovac Botanical Garden

All shades of green

It's a place where you can sit on a bench, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, take a walk through the garden, learn about plants... Or attend a concert!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Fazenda

Breakfast - Dinner - Bar

Fazenda has a pleasant minimalist interior on 2 levels, with large windows that brighten the space. Visit for good coffee, brunch or events in the evening.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Bife bar

New hidden spot

Bife Bar has an interesting interior, with a striking pigeon mosaic as the first thing you see when you walk in. Its trademark are the homemade shots!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 9, 2025

Čarli

Kifle to die for

"Čarli", a miniature Belgrade bakery, has been in my neighborhood since the Yugoslavian '80s, making kifle day-in-day-out. The lovely ladies have stayed...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladimir

Dulović

Nov 9, 2025

Lili M

Burek at its best

This is an obscure burek spot I wasn't sure of whether I wanted to share. Their burek with cheese (the only one they do) is my very favorite...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladimir

Dulović

Nov 9, 2025

Babalu

Best sandwiches in the city

What makes the sandwiches at Babalu so exceptional are the various sauces that can be added—my favorite being honey-mustard.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Tatjana

Avramović

Nov 8, 2025

Heading to Belgrade?

203 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Belgrade app Home
Belgrade app Home
Belgrade app Map
Belgrade app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

203 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Belgrade

Our team loves Belgrade

Get to know our other Spotters from Belgrade

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
52
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters