The 10 Best Restaurants in Tuzla, Bosnia

Pivnica Taverna, or Pub Taverna, is a local’s favourite spot to head after work for a beer or two. A selection of beers, pizzas and some of Tuzla’s most delicious cevapi are just a few highlights from their menu. The adjoining brewery brews barrels of fresh beer poured straight from the tap into your glass, making it the best spot in Tuzla for good beer.

The restaurant, located near the salt lakes, serves delicious cevapi inside a setting that resembles more of an upscale café. You won’t find much else on the menu but sampling some of their traditional Bosnian dishes is something few regret. Limenka comes highly recommended by locals and tourists after spending the day at the lakes. One of the highlights is the large outdoor terrace overlooking Pannonica Lake. However, be aware you won’t be able to bring beer or alcohol inside this restaurant.

Not everyone wants to eat Bosnian food, and those who don’t can find refuge at Tuzla’s own Little Italy. Everything from pizza and pasta to lasagne are on the menu in this small restaurant. Diners can choose between eating outdoors or inside depending on the weather. Food quality is consistently given a high rating and expect large portions. Little Italy is the place to check out for an Italian dining experience in Tuzla.

Another of Tuzla’s restaurants with traditional food such as cevapi, fresh bread, and a variety of cheeses is Zmaj Od Bosne. A tennis club adjoins the building, and the vast majority of diners are locals in this centrally located spot. Few tourists visit and English is somewhat limited, but persist and be rewarded with great food.

High-quality traditional food is what’s on this family-owned restaurant’s menu on the outskirts of Tuzla. The interior is small but the food is delicious, according to the several recent visitors. Liver muckalica and a bowl of goulash are some of their best dishes. You can either walk from the city centre, which takes no more than 30 minutes, or hail a taxi for a few marks.

If you’re looking for an evening of delicious food and a glass of wine while enjoying live music, check out Sezam Tenis. Both cevapi and begoca corba are on the menu served by professional waiters. The outdoor patio doubles up as a wedding or events venue, especially during weekends.

Restoran Carsijska Cesma is on Tuzla’s central square next to a mosque. Traditional food, including kebabs, Bosnian coffee, and Turkish desserts satisfy the taste buds of patrons, with similarities to the spots in Sarajevo or Mostar. The interior has an old-fashioned Bosnian feel to it. And when combined with views from the windows, it makes this restaurant worth checking out for lunch or dinner. If you’re feeling adventurous, try calf liver, one of their specialities and a favourite with locals. Be aware you can’t buy alcohol inside.

Traditional food comes in large portions at Biblioteka. Diners often rate the quality of food and service as exceptionally high, and the owner has a reputation for being friendly and helpful. One of this little-visited restaurant’s highlights is the outdoor seating area and children’s playground, making it an ideal spot for families when the weather is pleasant.

Near Tuzla’s Slana Banja promenade is one of the city’s best restaurants, Zlatnik. A wide variety of traditional Bosnian dishes and international cuisine are on the menu with an equally large selection of both domestic and foreign wine. Waiters offer tips and recommendations for the perfect meal-and-wine pairing to give diners the best gastronomical experience.

If you’re looking for world-class cevapi, head to Sarajka. The restaurant delivers juicy kebab-like sausages in a matter of minutes, and portions are always generous, especially when you get velika porcija. Sarajka is more of a fast food spot than fine dining, but prices are low and the food is good.