Breakfast in Sarajevo – A foreigner’s view part one

Part 1 – East Sarajevo

In this article, I want to share my experience with Sarajevo breakfasts. As an avid gourmand, my wife and I love to go to breakfast on the weekend.
In the end, we visited most of the places in the city, and our view is valuable, especially for the foreigners visiting the city. Many places and areas are not included because we didn’t see them. And please remember, we are talking about breakfast here – exclusively. Also, we hope that this post will make your Sarajevo breakfast better.

We have split the city into the so-called Serbian side (Istocno Sarajevo) and the rest of the town, including the city’s center and Bascarsija. We do not draw this imaginary line; this is just the reality. The main difference is that you need help finding a place serving pork downtown. Prices are the same on both sides, slightly higher downtown. To keep the post short, we chose seven places from each part of the city and split it into two parts.

The criteria for us are:

1. Coffee quality
2. Products and imagination used
3. The food quality consistently
4. Service Quality
5. Cleanness, especially bathrooms

Let’s start with East Sarajevo

1. Perla Restaurant – After all that time, it is still our favorite – creative, good value for the money, nowadays everything is prepared in the restaurant. They replaced external croissants with homemade French baguettes. Try the chef’s breakfast; you’ll not regret it. The polenta is yummy. The best in the city.
   Coffee quality ★★★★★
   Products and imagination used ★★★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★★★★
   Service Quality ★★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
   Prices $$$
2. Central Coffee & Lounge bar – Overall, not inadequate; huge portions, acceptable coffee, and good service; however, it was always a bit bland for us. Number 1 is pretty close, so it was easy to decide where to go.
   Coffee quality ★★★★
   Products and imagination ★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★★
   Service Quality ★★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
   Prices $$
3. Loft Restaurant – It used to be great at the beginning, the place you always wanted to have near your house. Then, it started to crumble; first, the main chef left, then the other one, and at the end, even the waiters left. Sad, it was great. It was homemade, but now I do not believe it.
   Coffee quality ★★★★
   Products and imagination used ★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★
   Service Quality ★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
   Prices $$
4. Al Parco – The first decent restaurant opened in the neighborhood. It is still good and decent, just without any glamour. It was recently renovated. The last time we visited, it looked the same as before. The bathroom is freezing in the winter. Solid four.
   Coffee quality ★★★★
   Products and imagination ★★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★★★
   Service Quality ★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
5. Osteria Mozzarella – The new kid in town. Somewhat fancy and pretending. There is nothing in common with Italian food; it is a Yugo version of Italian food. The menu is like a book; it is hard to order from it. There are history pictures and everything, but it is hard to order when you look at it. It is good that they have an electronic version. On the long way to the bathrooms, nailed on the walls are thousands of diplomas belonging to the famous cook and owner. Best food in kindergarten, first place out of one competitor, and stuff like that. You really have to see how great he is. We have visited it twice, and we wish him good luck, just without us.
   Coffee quality ★★★★★
   Products and imagination ★★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★★★
   Service Quality ★★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
   Prices $$$
6. Knez – Lovely garden with kids’ corner, good sandwiches, and wraps. There is low consistency and nothing to remember. Overall average.
   Coffee quality ★★★★
   Products and imagination used ★★★
   The food quality consistently ★★
   Service Quality ★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★
   Prices $$
7. Apartman bar & restaurant 1/2 – The food was never good in here. They pre-made everything, even the meat was pre-cooked. Tasteless, fast food with pretension for quality. Simply NO.
   Coffee quality ★★★★
   Products and imagination★★
   The food quality consistently (Always bad) ★★★★★
   Service Quality ★★★★
   Cleanness, especially bathrooms ★★★★★
   Prices $$

Continue to part two – Sarajevo & Downtown Sarajevo