Serbia has been quietly collecting slices of Americana for years. A large diaspora in cities like Chicago is a big contributor. Unlike the Russian or Chinese entries in this culture series, American food and culture arrived was imported by Serbians rather than foreigners arriving in the country. Most of the spots are in Belgrade, with a few detours to Novi Sad and Zlatibor. For the cultural differences between the two countries, the USA vs Serbia perspectives article is a good companion read. And if hunting down foods that are hard to find in the Balkans sounds appealing, the rare foods in Belgrade guide covers more of them.

USA Restaurants and Cafes

42nd Street Pizza

The only place in the city that offers Chicago deep dish pizza. Deep dish is the opposite of the thin Italian-style pies most of Belgrade serves: a tall crust baked in a deep pan, layers of cheese at the bottom, and a chunky tomato sauce on top. It is heavy and high in calories, so be prepared.

Billy's Pizza Tavern (Dorcol and Vracar)

Billy's offer two different American pizza styles: Chicago thin crust and Detroit style. If you're looking for an authentic US pizza experience, this might be the best spot.

Intergalactic Diner

A retro American-style diner with milkshakes, burgers, and all-day breakfast in a space-themed setting, complete with jukeboxes at the tables. There are several locations around the city.

Sunshine Bagel

One of the few spots in Belgrade serving authentic American-style bagels with various cream cheese and topping options. The cream cheese is made in-house, the lox bagel is the most popular order. It is best as a breakfast or lunch place, they don't stay open late. The owners used to live in Miami.

Texas BBQ at In Smoke We Trust and Holy Smokes

Slow-smoked meats done right, brisket, pulled pork, and ribs prepared in the tradition of Texas barbecue. It may be a bit different than what you will find in Texas, but they do a good job.

Vox Blues Club

Belgrade's dedicated blues bar, featuring live blues and rock music in an atmosphere inspired by the American South.

Mac & cheese at Fat Boys Food Co. and Smasher & Co.

Two reliable addresses for American comfort food. Fat Boys Food Co. on Strahinjića Bana pairs its mac & cheese with dry-aged burgers and a pulled pork sandwich served on a potato bun, while Smasher & Co., a smash burger spot, tops its mac & cheese with homemade cheddar sauce and bacon.

Fast food (McDonald's, Starbucks, KFC, Taco Bell, Hard Rock Cafe)

These fast food franchises need no introduction, they are found all over the world now. There are currently two Taco Bell locations in the country: Ušće mall in Belgrade and Big Fashion in Novi Sad. And the Hard Rock Cafe location opened only in 2026, so it is a new addition.

American sweets and desserts

Donuts at Slatkoteka or Bake’n Love

The Balkans prefers krofne, filled donuts similar to Berliners (jam-filled German donuts), but American donuts have a hole in the middle and no filling. There are a couple of places in Belgrade that currently make donuts this way, Slatkoteka and Bake’n Love.

Rollna

Possibly the best place to find American style cinnamon rolls in the city. But don't just take this blog's word for it:

Yumzy

A recently opened cinnamon roll shop near Makedonska. Because Serbia does not have Cinnabon or a similar well-known chain offering cinnamon rolls, these specialty spots are a welcome addition to the city.

Ispeci pa reci

The name is a Serbian idiom meaning roughly 'bake it first, then talk about it', which is fitting for a patisserie dedicated to American pies. The banana bread, brownies, and soft-centered cookies are worth the visit too, and the interior leans into American pop culture with references to classic TV shows and movies.

American pancakes

In Serbia, a palačinka is a thin crêpe topped with jam or Nutella, while American pancakes are smaller and fatter. American pancakes aren't very common in the city, but a few places do offer them: June, Basic, Cookie Beacon Brunch.

Other cultural points of interest

American Corner (Belgrade and Novi Sad)

Cultural and educational centers run by the US Embassy, offering English language resources, American literature, workshops, and cultural events.

El Paso City

This small "town" on Zlatibor mountain, about a 4-hour drive from Belgrade, is a tourist attraction intended to replicate the looks of a town in America's Wild West. An impressive amount of effort has been put into this project. If the drive sounds like the start of a bigger adventure, the Serbia roadtrip planning guide is useful for building a route around the rest of the country.