Traditional Bosnian$$centarMon-Sat 08:00-23:00, closed Sun
Avlija is the Sarajevo courtyard institution off Mehmeda Spahe with a vine-shaded garden and roast lamb under sac that locals book for occasions.
Signature: Roast lamb under sac, Pljeskavica, Bosnian platters
Order: Roast lamb under sac with potatoes.
Tip: Book the courtyard for warm-weather dinners; closed Sundays.
Traditional Bosnian$$kovaciMon-Sun 09:00-23:00
Inat Kuca in Kovaci is the Sarajevo Spite House, an Ottoman house moved across the Miljacka in 1895 and now a Bosnian restaurant for sahan and lonac.
Signature: Sarajevski sahan, Bosanski lonac, Cevapi
Order: Sarajevski sahan with bosanski lonac.
Tip: Reserve for dinner on the riverside terrace; cash is the practical move.
Traditional Bosnian$$bascarsijaMon-Sun 08:00-23:00
Dveri off Saraci in Bascarsija is Sarajevo's family-run Bosnian institution behind a wood-shuttered facade with a flowered courtyard and hearty lonac.
Signature: Bosanski lonac, Klepe, Grilled lamb
Order: Bosanski lonac and klepe with garlic-yogurt sauce.
Tip: Reservations are essential at Dveri; cash only and the rear courtyard tables are the ones to ask for in summer.
Bosnian and Central European$$skenderijaMon-Sun 10:00-01:00
Pivnica HS in Sarajevo is the Sarajevska Pivara taproom on Franjevacka, the only room pouring the brewery's unfiltered draught and a wide grill menu.
Signature: Mixed grill platters, Sarajevsko Pivo, Roast pork
Order: Mixed grill platter with the unfiltered Sarajevsko draught.
Tip: Visit the brewery museum on the same ticket; the unfiltered light is the pour.
Bosnian$bascarsijaMon-Sun 08:00-23:00
Cevabdzinica Zeljo on Kundurdziluk is one of Sarajevo's three anchor cevapi rooms, beef-only sausages grilled over coals and served in somun.
Signature: Cevapi, Pljeskavica, Kajmak
Order: Desetka (10 cevapi) with kajmak and a kefir.
Tip: All three Zeljo branches in Bascarsija are cash only and the queue moves fast at lunch.
Bosnian$bascarsijaMon-Sun 08:00-23:00
Petica Ferhatovic is the Bravadziluk family-run cevapi room that opened 1984 for the Sarajevo Olympics and still presses cevapi at the same standard.
Signature: Cevapi, Pljeskavica, Sudzukice
Order: Desetka cevapi with kajmak and onions.
Tip: 10 cevapi run about 10 KM with kajmak; the corner terrace tables are the ones to ask for on warm Sarajevo evenings.