Food and restaurants: FAQ
What to eat in Bihać and what it costs.
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What to eat in Bihać and what it costs. 40 questions and answers for visitors to Bihać and the Una river.
What local food should I try in Bihać?
In Bihać, make sure you try ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls), trout from the Una, burek and other filo pies, dishes cooked under a sač (a bell-shaped baking lid) and kljukuša, the traditional dish of the Bosanska krajina region. Popular stews and cooked dishes include begova čorba (Bey's soup), bosanski lonac (Bosnian meat and vegetable pot), sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls) and stuffed peppers. The cuisine is homely and generous, built on meat, potatoes, dough and dairy from the surrounding villages.
What is kljukuša and where can I eat it in Bihać?
Kljukuša is a traditional dish of the Bosanska krajina region made from grated potato mixed with flour and water, then baked in a tray in the oven. It is usually served with sour milk or a yoghurt and garlic sauce. It is not on every menu, so ask the restaurant in advance; it is most often made at home and on rural farms.
Is Una river trout a speciality of Bihać?
Yes, fish is one of the most typical dishes along the Una, and almost every riverside restaurant serves trout. It is usually grilled or baked and served with potatoes and salad. The Una is known for salmonid species such as brown trout and grayling, but the fish on your plate may also come from a fish farm, so feel free to ask the waiter where it is from.
What are ćevapi like in Bihać?
Ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls) in Bihać are usually made from a mix of beef and lamb and served in somun (a soft flatbread) with onion, sometimes with kajmak (a rich clotted cream). It is customary to order five or ten pieces. Ćevapi grills are spread all over the town centre and are one of the cheapest ways to eat well and quickly.
Where can I eat right by the Una river near Bihać?
There are restaurants on the Una in several places: in Bihać itself along the riverside promenade, in Pritoka, Ripač and Račić, and downstream towards Kostela and Grmuša. Most have a terrace on the water and serve fish, grilled meat and home-style dishes. If you stay in one of our houses on the Una in Lohovo, Pritoka or Grmuša, several of these places are a short drive away, and the owner will happily recommend tried-and-tested spots.
What are some well-known restaurants around Bihać?
Among the better-known places are the restaurant of Hotel Kostelski buk on the Una, the restaurant at Japodski otoci in Račić and the riverside restaurants in Ripač. Opening hours and menus change with the season, so it is worth checking or booking a table before you go. Una Olympic Rafting in Grmuša/Salihovac, whom we work with, also has a restaurant by the river.
How much does a meal at a restaurant in Bihać cost?
A main course in an ordinary restaurant in Bihać costs roughly 15 to 30 KM, while fish and mixed grill platters for two can be more expensive. A portion of ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls) at a ćevapi grill is usually noticeably cheaper. Prices change from season to season, so treat these ranges as a rough guide and check the menu before ordering.
How much is a coffee in a café in Bihać?
A Bosnian coffee or an espresso in Bihać usually costs a few convertible marks, roughly 2 to 4 KM, depending on the café and its location. On terraces by the Una and in hotels the price is sometimes slightly higher. Compared with Croatia and Western Europe, going out for coffee here is noticeably cheaper.
Can I pay in euros at restaurants in Bihać?
The official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the convertible mark (KM), which is pegged to the euro at about 1.96 KM to 1 euro. Some restaurants accept euros, but they usually give change in marks and at a rounded rate. It is most practical to carry some cash in KM, and cards are accepted in most restaurants in the centre.
Do you tip in restaurants in Bihać?
Tipping in Bihać is not compulsory, but it is welcome and customary when you are happy with the service. In restaurants people usually leave around 5 to 10 per cent or round up the bill, while in cafés they simply round up. If you pay by card, it is easier to leave the tip in cash.
Is there vegetarian food in Bihać?
Yes, although the choice is more limited than in big cities because local cuisine relies on meat. Vegetarians can choose filo pies filled with cheese, potato or spinach (sirnica, krompiruša, zeljanica), kljukuša (baked grated-potato dish), fried cheese, salads, mushrooms, uštipci (fried dough balls) and bean dishes without meat. With beans and stews, always ask whether they were cooked with meat or in meat stock.
Can vegans find food in restaurants in Bihać?
Yes, but you will need to ask and sometimes request an adapted dish. Safe options are seasonal salads, roasted and grilled vegetables, potatoes, beans cooked without meat, and fruit. Many traditional dishes contain kajmak (clotted cream), yoghurt, eggs or lard, so it is a good idea to make clear that you eat no animal products at all.
What is burek and where can I buy it in Bihać?
Burek is a pie made from thin filo pastry filled with minced meat, while pies made with the same pastry but other fillings are called sirnica (cheese), krompiruša (potato) and zeljanica (spinach). In Bihać you buy it at burek bakeries (buregdžinice) and ordinary bakeries, usually in the morning when it is fresh. Burek is traditionally eaten with yoghurt or sour milk.
What does 'ispod sača' mean on a Bosnian menu?
A sač is a metal or clay lid that is covered with hot embers, and under it meat is slowly baked with potatoes and vegetables. Lamb, veal or chicken is prepared this way, and the dish bakes for several hours. Most restaurants only make sač dishes to order, so it is best to order a day ahead or several hours in advance.
Where can I eat spit-roasted lamb near Bihać?
Spit-roasted lamb is served by some restaurants along the main roads and the river around Bihać, especially in the summer season and at weekends. It is usually sold by the kilo, and it is best to come at lunchtime while the meat is freshly off the spit. What is on offer varies, so ring the restaurant before setting off or ask your host for a recommendation.
What are uštipci and are they eaten in Bihać?
Uštipci are fried balls of yeast dough, similar to small unfilled doughnuts, and in the Krajina region they are popular with cheese, kajmak (clotted cream) or honey. In some places they are also called pohovanci or priganice. They are a common breakfast on rural farms and in restaurants serving home cooking, and are often made at home too.
What do people drink in Bihać?
The best-known local beer is Preminger from the Bihać brewery (Bihaćka pivovara), and other domestic beers are drunk too. The most common spirit is homemade rakija (fruit brandy), usually šljivovica (plum brandy). For something non-alcoholic, coffee usually comes with a glass of water, and in summer rural farms offer homemade elderflower or pomegranate cordial.
Is tap water in Bihać safe to drink?
Water from the public mains in Bihać is generally used for drinking, and most locals drink it without any problems. In houses and cottages outside the town the water may come from a private spring or a local supply, so check with your host. In our properties, the owner will tell you on arrival whether the water is drinkable or whether it is better to buy bottled water.
Where is the market in Bihać and what can I buy there?
Bihać has a town market (pijaca) in the centre, where you can buy seasonal fruit and vegetables, homemade cheese, kajmak (clotted cream), eggs, honey and cured meat. The best choice is in the morning. If you are staying in an apartment or house with a kitchen, the market is a good place to stock up on fresh produce for breakfast and barbecues.
Can I cook for myself if I stay in an apartment in Bihać?
Yes, most of our apartments and houses have a fully equipped kitchen, and Apartman M. Mahala (Midžić Mahala) also has a barbecue. For a barbecue at our other properties, please ask when you send your enquiry. You can buy groceries in the supermarkets in Bihać or at the market. If a kitchen matters to you, mention it in your enquiry on apartmanibihac.com or via WhatsApp/Viber on +387 61 591 320.
Are there restaurants open late in Bihać?
Restaurants in Bihać are usually open until late evening, though the kitchen often closes earlier than the restaurant itself. Late at night it is easiest to find fast food, pizza or ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls) in the centre. Outside the town, opening hours at riverside restaurants depend on the season, so check in advance.
What is begova čorba?
Begova čorba (Bey's soup) is a thick soup made with chicken or veal and vegetables, thickened with egg and sour milk or soured cream. It dates back to the Ottoman period and is considered one of the classics of Bosnian cuisine. Many restaurants serving home cooking offer it, usually as a starter.
What is bosanski lonac (Bosnian pot)?
Bosanski lonac is a dish made from several kinds of meat, potatoes and vegetables, cooked for a long time in a clay pot. It was traditionally simmered for hours over a low fire, so the meat is very tender. In Bihać it is served by restaurants with home cooking, and it is worth asking in advance whether it is on that day.
What desserts are typical in Bihać?
In Bihać people eat classic Bosnian desserts: baklava, tufahija (walnut-stuffed poached apple), hurmašice (syrup-soaked biscuits), tulumbe (fried dough in syrup) and ružice (rose-shaped pastries), and in summer ice cream is hugely popular. Patisseries in the centre also sell the cakes and pastries you will know from the rest of the region. Homemade pies with apple, pumpkin or sour cherries are often found on rural farms and in restaurants serving home cooking.
Where can I have traditional Bosnian coffee in Bihać?
Bosnian coffee served in a džezva (a small copper coffee pot) is offered by many cafés and traditional kafanas in the old part of Bihać and along the Una, with a sugar cube and Turkish delight. It is drunk slowly, and sitting over coffee is an important part of the day here. If you want the traditional experience, ask the waiter for coffee in a džezva rather than an espresso.
What is café culture like in Bihać?
Much of life in Bihać happens in cafés and kafanas, and sitting for a long time over a single coffee is perfectly normal; nobody will rush you. Terraces by the Una are full from morning to evening, especially in summer. Kafanas with folk music and food are more common outside the centre and along the main roads.
Is there food delivery in Bihać?
Yes, restaurants, pizzerias and ćevapi grills in Bihać deliver, either by phone or through the apps that operate in the town. Delivery is most reliable in town and in nearby neighbourhoods, while not every service will deliver to houses on the Una outside the town. If you are staying outside the centre, ask your host which places deliver to you.
Where can I get breakfast in Bihać?
For breakfast in Bihać, most people go for burek or a filo pie from a bakery, uštipci (fried dough balls) or eggs at one of the cafés and restaurants that open in the morning. Hotels in town also serve breakfast to non-residents, and some rural farms in the area offer a homemade breakfast. Breakfast is not included at our apartments and houses, but you can make your own in all of them.
Are there pizzerias and fast food places in Bihać?
Yes, Bihać has a number of pizzerias, pancake houses and fast food places, mostly in the centre and along the main streets. They are a good option for children and for a late dinner. Pizza here is usually inexpensive, and many pizzerias also deliver.
Is food in Bihać halal?
Most of the meat in Bihać's restaurants and butchers is halal, as the population is predominantly Muslim, and pork is rarely on offer. However, this does not apply to every place, so if it matters to you, ask the staff. Alcohol is served in most cafés and restaurants.
Can I buy homemade cheese and kajmak in Bihać?
Yes, homemade cheese, kajmak (clotted cream) and sour milk are sold at the town market and in some butchers and dairies. In the villages around Bihać, locals sometimes sell them directly from the farm. If you stay in one of the houses on the Una in Lohovo or Grmuša, your host can often tell you where to buy fresh produce nearby.
Are there farms near the Una river that serve home-cooked food?
Yes, around Bihać there are several family farms and ethno-farms that serve food from their own land, such as filo pies, uštipci (fried dough balls), cheese and homemade cordials. What is on offer and opening hours depend on the season, and larger groups usually need to book ahead. Ask us on WhatsApp/Viber +387 61 591 320 for current recommendations.
Is food included with rafting on the Una?
At most rafting camps on the Una a meal is served after the descent, usually grilled meat, fish or a home-style dish, and it is sometimes included in the package price. We organise rafting with Una Olympic Rafting, whose base is in Grmuša/Salihovac and has a restaurant by the river. Check exactly what is included when you book.
Is eating out in Bihać cheaper than in Croatia?
Generally yes, food and drink in Bihać are as a rule noticeably cheaper than in Croatia, especially compared with the coast and the Plitvice area. The difference is biggest for coffee, ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls) and home-style dishes. The same goes for accommodation: with us, a whole apartment of up to 100 m² starts from 25 € (50 KM) per night, which is what a single room for one person typically costs in Bihać.
Do I need to book a table at restaurants in Bihać?
For an ordinary lunch or dinner in town, a booking is usually not necessary. It is recommended at weekends in high season, for riverside restaurants, for larger groups and for dishes made to order such as sač dishes or lamb. In July and August, especially during the Una Regatta, popular places can be full.
What is Preminger beer?
Preminger is a beer brewed by the Bihać brewery (Bihaćka pivovara) and the best-known local beer in Bihać. It is served on tap and sold in most cafés, restaurants and shops in town. If you like trying local drinks, it is a natural choice with fish or ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls). The bottled version is easy to find in supermarkets.
Where can I buy barbecue food in Bihać?
Meat for the barbecue is best bought at the butchers in Bihać, where you can also find ready-made ćevapi (minced-meat rolls) and pljeskavica (seasoned meat patties), and everything else in the supermarkets. Charcoal and barbecue supplies are sold in the larger shops. Apartman M. Mahala (Midžić Mahala) has a barbecue; for our other properties, please check when you send your enquiry on apartmanibihac.com.
Can I eat gluten-free in Bihać if I have coeliac disease?
A gluten-free diet is possible in Bihać, but it takes care, as local cuisine uses a lot of pastry and flour. Safer choices are grilled meat and fish, potatoes and salads, after checking the side dishes and sauces. You will find gluten-free products more easily in larger supermarkets and pharmacies than in restaurants.
What food can I take home from Bihać as a souvenir?
The most popular edible souvenirs from Bihać are homemade honey, cured meat, cheese, homemade rakija (fruit brandy) and fruit preserves or jam from local farms. You can buy them at the market or directly from producers. If you are crossing the border into Croatia and the EU, check the rules on bringing in meat and dairy products, as restrictions apply to them.
Are there restaurants with a waterfall view near Bihać?
In and around Bihać there are several restaurants by the waterfalls and rapids of the Una, for example at Kostelski buk and in Račić by Japodski otoci. If you are visiting Štrbački buk in Una National Park, check the food options at the waterfall itself on the park's official website npuna.com; it is safer to plan lunch in Bihać or on the way. Check opening hours in advance, as they are shorter outside the season.
All FAQ topics · A whole apartment in Bihać or a house on the Una from €25 per night: send an enquiry on the website or message us on WhatsApp. We speak English.