How to drink Bosnian coffee (and why it is not Turkish)
The džezva, the fildžan, the sugar cube and the slow art of doing nothing — a local's guide to the city's favourite ritual.
Sarajevo Travel Guide editors · 18 Oct 2026 · 1 min read
In Sarajevo, "idemo na kahvu" — let's go for coffee — rarely means a quick espresso. It means an hour, sometimes three, of talk.
The ritual
- The coffee is brought in a copper džezva on a tray, with a fildžan (small cup), a glass of water and rahat lokum
- Let it rest so the grounds settle; skim the foam (kajmak) into your cup first
- Dip the sugar cube in the coffee, bite it, then sip — or drop it in, as you prefer
“The difference from Turkish coffee? In Bosnia the boiling water is added to the roasted coffee, then returned to the heat. And the time you take.”
Featured placeKuća sevdahaA museum-café of sevdalinka, the Bosnian love song — with Bosnian coffee, rose sherbet and a small exhibition.