History

Coffee arrived in Sarajevo through Ottoman trade in the 1530s and the city's coffeehouse culture predates Vienna by 150 years. The dzezva-brewing method, sugar cube on the side and rahat lokum pairing crystallised into the Bosnian-specific format distinguishing it from Turkish and Greek coffee traditions. Cajdzinica Dzirlo on Kovaci is the canonical Sarajevo Bosnian-coffee sit.

Make it at home

Yield 2Hands-on 5 minTotal 10 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons finely ground Bosnian or Turkish coffee
  • 200ml cold water
  • 1 sugar cube per cup (optional)
  • Rahat lokum (Turkish delight) to serve

Method

  1. Bring the cold water to a boil in a small dzezva (copper pot) or saucepan.
  2. Remove from heat the moment it boils; reserve a tablespoon of hot water for finishing.
  3. Add the coffee and stir gently with a spoon.
  4. Return to very low heat; do not stir again. The coffee will foam in 30 to 40 seconds.
  5. Just before the foam rises over the edge, remove from heat.
  6. Add the reserved tablespoon of hot water to help the grounds settle.
  7. Pour gently into small cups so the foam stays on top.
  8. Wait 30 seconds for the grounds to settle, then sip slowly. Bite the rahat lokum first, then drink.

Tip from the editors. Bosnian coffee is sipped slowly across 30 minutes; the bottom of the cup is the grounds, not for drinking.

Where to eat bosnian coffee

Bosnian Coffee in Sarajevo

Cajdzinica Dzirlo ★ 4.8

Bosnian$$kovaciMon-Sun 09:00-22:00

Cajdzinica Dzirlo on Kovaci above Bascarsija pulls 53 teas, Bosnian coffee in dzezva, salep and homemade juices from a tiny Ottoman-era Sarajevo tea house.

Why locals love it: Tucked on cobbled Kovaci above Bascarsija, this Sarajevo tea house pulls 53 teas and dzezva coffee from a six-table Ottoman cellar most tourists miss.

Tip: Order Bosnian coffee with rahat lokum and sit on the stone steps; cash only.

Kovaci 16, 71000 Sarajevo

Caffe Cardak ★ 4.4

Café$bascarsijaMon-Sun 07:00-23:00Wifi

Caffe Cardak on Bascarsija square pours Bosnian coffee from a dzezva with rahat lokum, the canonical morning sit just past the Sebilj fountain.

Signature drink: Bosnian coffee

Tip: Outdoor seating on the square is the move; bring cash, the inside is small.

Bascarsija 32, 71000 Sarajevo

Ministry of Cejf ★ 4.8

BrunchThird-wave coffee with pastries$$8-18 KMcentarMon-Sun 08:00-22:00Walk-in

Ministry of Cejf on Hiseta is Sarajevo's third-wave coffee brunch sit, with single-origin pour-overs, flat whites and a small pastry counter through the day.

Order: Pour-over Ethiopian with a fresh croissant.

Tip: The back working tables are the quietest in the morning sit for Sarajevo brunch.

Hiseta 2, 71000 Sarajevo

Caffe Tito ★ 4.4

Bosnian$$skenderijaMon-Sun 07:00-00:00Until 00:00

Caffe Tito by Wilson Walkway runs to midnight, the Sarajevo Yugoslav-themed late sit with portraits, military memorabilia and unplugged music.

Try: Sarajevsko Pivo and bar snacks

Tip: Riverside terrace is the spot; weekend evenings get live music.

Zmaja od Bosne 5, 71000 Sarajevo

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