When you walk through the old, cozy Ottoman quarter of Sarajevo, you can’t help but notice the many small coffee bars. I enjoyed myself for hours in different locations, trying all kinds of ‘Bosanska kafa’.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina the coffee is served in a džezva – a small copper coffee pan that can hold about three cups of coffee. They deliver it on a beautifully round decorated tray with an empty cup (fildžan), a glass of water, a bowl full of sugar cubes and a Bosnian sweet called rahat lokum. This is a must-try while you’re here! If you’re looking for the best of the best, we think we found them! These five hotspots in Sarajevo were beyond perfect!

Teahouse Džirlo

Kovači 6 | The first location we found – thanks to Instagram – was Džirlo. Although this spot is traditionally a tea house, you can also enjoy a cup of Bosnian coffee here. The owner is a friendly man who loves to talk about his teas and give advice about the best way to drink coffee. Another delicious item to try: salep! This was arguably our favorite Eastern coffee house in Sarajevo, so we highly recommend it.

If you are interested in the preparation method, there are many ways to do it, but this was what we liked most: first scoop a layer of foam out of the džezva, then pour a full cup and re-add the layer of foam. If you want sugar, don’t throw the whole lump in the drink. Instead, take a bite out and let it melt under your tongue while you sip your coffee.

Ministry of Ćejf

Kovači 26 | On to Ministry of Ćejf – located in the same cute street as Džirlo. We enjoyed ourselves here all afternoon with coffee and Uno! The owner is an actor of Australian descent (hello Reshad Strik!), who came to Bosnia to discover his father’s country and never left. In addition to Bosnian coffee, you can also drink a delicious latte here. Unfortunately for us, there was something wrong with the water pressure when we visited so we couldn’t try it. On the other hand, the carrot cake and salep (yes, again) made up for it!

Bosanska Kafana Index

Kazandžiluk 31 | In terms of interior, this coffee house was number one on our list. I mean just look at the photos! While inside you can sit comfortably between the brightly colored cushions, outside you can catch the brightness of the sun’s rays. ‘Index’ is located at the end of a small shopping street. A perfect place to stock up on your typical Bosnian souvenirs. Another plus is if you are a big fan of the coffee here, you can purchase your own coffee set to take home! You bet your bottom dollar we bought one ourselves. The sets were so beautiful. 😉

Žuta Tabija

Jekovac | Although you have to climb a nice hill to reach it, the view makes it totally worth it. Žuta Tabija (also called Yellow Fortress) has one of the most beautiful views over Sarajevo and the valley where the city lies. It is almost always pleasantly busy, especially before sunset. We recommend you get there plenty early if you want to snag a nice spot to catch it. Add Bosnian coffee or another (non-alcoholic) drink and you can’t go wrong!

Baklava Shop Sarajevo

Bravadžiluk 16 | In the mood for baklava? Then you have to visit this place. Yes you can also get džezva full of delicious coffee, but this shop is especially known for its wide selection of baklava! Including walnut, pistachios, nutella, almonds and coconut. A flavor for every palate. Lets eat!