It is a bold move to start a vegan restaurant in Belgrade, especially when it’s not in the very center, close to tourists. It tells of will, love and dedication, and all of that you can feel (and taste) in every element of Vegessence.
The ambience is unpretentious, the ingredients are fresh and local, the dishes very tasty and you can see someone took time to arrange them visually. The prices are moderate, not higher as in other veggie joints that primarily target tourists.
The staff is super-nice, and they have their own creative takes on dishes. I like their version of miso soup as a good start of a bigger meal or as a lighter standalone dish.
The great Buddha salad might as well be a standalone dish, with chickpeas, quinoa, sprouts and aromatic baked peppers sauce. All of the burgers are really good, and here you won’t find those (pre-made) by global brands, but their own crafts. My fav is the black bean burger in a homemade spelt bun. The falafel is great, as well as their version of gyros.
The juices and smoothies are delicious, as well as the chai latte, which is reminiscent of Indian masala teas.
It might not be in the wider center, however visiting Vegessence would be a perfect excuse to make a trip to Banovo Brdo neighbourhood and explore the nearby Košutnjak woods with its famous bellavista, one of the best in Belgrade.
