Best Restaurants in Niš: 7 Authentic Places for Food in the Imperial City

The largest city in southern Serbia is famous for its delicious food, especially meat specialties, with barbecue being the standout dish that Niš is known for. However, grilled meat is not the only thing this city has to offer. There are many specialties that can satisfy gourmets with different tastes. Niš restaurants offer a variety of traditional cooked dishes, Italian cuisine, seafood and river specialties, lamb and pork roasts, and many other delicacies from their kitchens. We have selected the most original places for dining in Niš, whether they stand out for their exceptional cuisine, unique ambiance, or other specific features of the southern region.

The Best Lamb is at Dagi's

It's easy to guess the specialty of this restaurant with just one look at the utensils, plates, napkins, coasters, and all the branded items in this establishment. The image of a smiling sheep confidently indicates what is best prepared at Dagi's, located in Trošarina. Widely renowned for lamb roasts, as well as grilled lamb meat, this restaurant is a choice of many locals and visitors from the region. In addition to delicious lamb dishes, their menu also includes sausages, fritters, Ćevapi (a type of grilled meat), and lamb burgers. For those who are not passionate meat eaters, they also offer soups and cooked meals. Dagi Plus Restaurant is decorated in an ethno style and consists of several different sections or rooms that give guests the impression of being in a different environment every time. Wood and various trinkets on the walls create a warm and homely atmosphere, and the restaurant's garden, shaded by trees, is pleasant even on the hottest days.

Dušan's Tavern - Avant-Garde Cuisine and Ambiance

Fans of unconventional food that still incorporates traditional ingredients such as Leskovac's grilled meat and sauerkraut should visit Dušan's Tavern. Smoked beer thighs, turkey in white wine, spicy pork and lamb in parmesan sauce are just some of the specialties served in Dušan's kitchen. The list of culinary delights coming out of this small restaurant with just a few tables is never final. The chef always refreshes the menu with new exotic dishes that are affordable, making this place suitable for everyone's budget. The drink menu also includes craft beer from a small Leskovac brewery, completing the gourmet experience. Dušan's Tavern is located near the Health Center.

Čardak Butkice - Neither in Heaven nor on Earth

For lamb lovers, there are also lamb cabbage rolls, and in Niš, the most famous ones are served at Čardak Restaurant. The so-called Čardak Butkice (lamb shanks) are a favorite dish among the restaurant's guests, along with the ethno cheese, which is also a specialty of this restaurant and is served as a warm appetizer. Those who order calf's head or tails at Čardak will certainly lick their fingers. This restaurant is also decorated in an ethno style - wood, carpets, and details of old-fashioned kitchens give this establishment the impression of being in an old grandmother's house in the countryside. Every meal in this establishment will surely be remembered for its delicious bites and homely atmosphere, and for those who haven't been there before, it is located behind Park Svetog Save, in a neighborhood known as BK.

Sweet Task - Discovering the Gourmet's Secret

Lamb and veal cooked under a bell, venison goulash, and other delicacies made from domestic animals or game are the trademarks of Gurmanova Tajna, a restaurant located in Niška Banja. They are also famous for their rolled pie, which is an ideal breakfast, and guests will not forget the taste of any grilled specialty. The menu also includes veal soup, steak, ribs with kaymak, and mućkalica. Various delicacies classify this restaurant among those with the widest range of offerings, satisfying guests with various tastes. Those who dine in the restaurant garden will enjoy the clean spa air, which is pleasant even in the middle of summer.

Authentic Italian Cuisine at Trattoria da Roberto

Although famous for its barbecue, Niš recently got a true traditional Italian restaurant - Trattoria da Roberto, located in Dušanova Street. The popularity of this place has been skyrocketing since its opening, as evidenced by the large number of guests who have already tried the specialties of Italian cuisine in this restaurant. Alongside pizzas, pastas, and other delicacies prepared by an Italian chef, lovers of this cuisine can also enjoy authentic Italian wines and chamomile liqueur, which is also made in Italy. The atmosphere in this restaurant is simple and pleasant, perfect for a morning espresso, just like in Italy.

Pleasure Offers Great Delights at Multiple Locations

Those who start their day with a Kalimero sandwich can be sure that even if they don't skip it, they will have a very late lunch. This delicacy made from bread, eggs, and spinach sauce is prepared at Pleasure Restaurant. Omelets, sandwiches, burgers, canapés, pizzas, pastas, risotto - guests will find all of these in this modern restaurant. From gastronomic delights at Pleasure, one can taste steak with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and gnocchi with spinach, and for refined palates, there is turkey with pistachios. The restaurant has a contemporary ambiance and is located in three locations - near Hale Čair, close to the pedestrian zone in the city center on Drvarska Street, as well as in the famous Kazandžijsko Sokače.

Fish Tavern for Water Delicacies

The taste of fish from the plates of Ribilja Konoba Restaurant will be remembered even by the most demanding palates. The menu includes pike, carp, catfish, as well as sea fish such as salmon, hake, mackerel, tuna, as well as lobster, mussels, shrimp, squid, and other water delicacies. Guests will definitely not regret choosing any of the specialties at this restaurant, where they can combine fish with pasta, risotto, and even beans. Fish enthusiasts can try bean stew with smoked carp, as well as various types of fish salads, grilled shrimp, and crayfish in buzara sauce. Fish soup and stuffed peppers are already classics among dishes, but in Konoba, these specialties have a special flavor. The restaurant is located near the National Theatre, so it is easy to find.

Anyone who has ever eaten in Niš knows that this city is abundant in delicious and hearty food. The only downside is the limited options for vegetarians, and vegans will especially have trouble finding meals in the imperial city. On the other hand, meat and traditional food lovers will enjoy every bite when visiting any restaurant on this list. With family, friends, or alone, guests at Niš restaurants will lick their fingers after every meal. We wish them - Bon appétit!