What Burek means
- In Serbian: Бурек
- Pronounced: BU-rek
- Category: Food & drink
Burek is a baked pastry made from thin sheets of filo-style dough layered or coiled around a filling and baked until golden and flaky. The most traditional filling is minced meat, but cheese (sa sirom), spinach-and-cheese, and potato versions are everywhere. It is a defining food of Belgrade's bakeries (pekare) and one of the most popular quick meals in the city.
It is most associated with breakfast, often eaten with a drink of plain or fruit yoghurt, but bakeries sell it all day. You usually order it by weight — pointing at the tray and asking for a portion — and it is handed over hot. Round, coiled bureks and tray-baked slices are both common.
Burek is cheap, filling and meat-free options are easy to find, which makes it a reliable on-the-go meal for visitors. A piece of burek and a yoghurt is one of the most authentic and economical breakfasts in Belgrade.
Common questions about Burek
What is burek filled with?
The classic filling is minced meat, but cheese, spinach-and-cheese, and potato bureks are all widely sold. Cheese and vegetable versions make burek an easy vegetarian option.
How do you order burek in Belgrade?
Go to a bakery (pekara), point at the type you want, and it is usually sold and priced by weight, then served hot. It pairs traditionally with a cup of plain or fruit yoghurt.
