Pazarske mantije is a Serbian dish originating from Novi Pazar. This dish resembles the Bosnian burek in flavor, but the shape is quite different – it's shaped into small spheres that are arranged in a baking pan and baked together. The dough is first stretched, brushed with butter, then stuffed with ground beef, salt, pepper, onions, and a bit of oil. Once stuffed, the dough is shaped into small balls, arranged in a pan, then baked, traditionally in old furnaces which give them their unique flavor and aroma. Mantije are usually accompanied by yogurt that's poured over them and eaten while still hot.
Burek sa sirom is a phyllo pastry that is round or coil-shaped and filled with a mixture of cheese and eggs. The dough is made with flour, salt, and water (and perhaps a bit of oil) and stretched into translucent sheets. The sheets of phyllo dough are stacked in a large tray, and each sheet is sprinkled with oil or oil and mineral water and spread with the cheese and egg filling. Still, you might have heard that burek can only be called burek if it's filled with meat. That is, if you live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but not everyone does, nor is burek really Bosnian – in fact, it has Turkish origins. In Bosnia, burek (with meat) and other types of similar pies such as sirnica (cheese) and krumpiruša (potatoes) are usually rolled into a coil, while Croatians and Serbs have a more relaxed approach – burek can be round and cut into quarters, or rolled into a coil – both shapes are good, and both can be called burek sa sirom (when filled with cheese, of course). Initially, burek was brought over to Niš in the 15th century, and it was prepared as a round pie. After World War II, burek came to Croatia and Slovenia. The term burek sa sirom, denoting a round or coil-shaped pie filled with cheese has been so engrained into Croatian culture (for more than 50 years) that it can be considered a Croatian classic regardless of its name. The most important thing is that it's delicious, filling, and a great breakfast staple for many Serbs and Croatians, especially when paired with a refreshing cup of yogurt on the side.
Krapfen was probably the first European-style doughnut to appear, followed by similar varieties in other countries. These pastries are traditionally prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while they remain soft, light, and airy on the inside. Though krapfen can be prepared plain, they are most often filled or topped with jams, and vanilla or chocolate custards, while the top is usually dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. The origin of the word krapfen dates back to 9th century, and the recipes in German can be found as early as the 14th century. The sweet versions of the pastry became predominant, and have remained closely associated with the Carnival, a festive period which precedes Christian Lent. Interestingly, during the Carnival, one krapfen in a batch filled with jam and fruit preserves might contain a filling of mustard as a prank. It is believed that doughnuts spread throughout many central European countries, which adopted the technique but used different regional names. Consequently, krapfen in Germany goes under Berliner, pfannkuchen, faschingskrapfen, krebbel, or kreppel. In Poland, they are known as pączki or krepel, Hungarians refer to them as fánk, Slovak as šišky, while the Czechs use the term koblihy. In Slovenia, they are better known as krofi, while the standard name throughout Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia is krofne or krafne. In St. Petersburg, Russia, the doughnuts are known as pyshki (either ring-shaped or without a hole), and there is a local café that has been serving pyshki prepared from the original recipe since the 1960s.
Although it is a common sight in countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia, gibanica is mainly associated with Serbia. It is a traditional pie-like dish that combines phyllo dough (occasionally replaced with yeast dough) with a creamy combination of cheese and eggs. The most popular version of this versatile pie is popularly known as gužvara, meaning crumpled, in which the sheets of phyllo dough are soaked in a creamy mixture of fresh cow’s cheese and eggs. The sheets are then layered and baked in the form of a casserole. This pie-like dish can be prepared in both sweet and savory versions, depending on the region and personal preferences. In Serbia, gibanica is usually paired with yogurt and makes a perfect breakfast staple or a filling snack. Served sliced, it is also a mainstay on every festive occasion, when it is traditionally enjoyed as a cold appetizer.
Bundevara is a flavorful Serbian pie consisting of phyllo sheets that are filled with grated pumpkin, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. The pie can be additionally enriched by the addition of raisins. It can be served either hot or cold, and it is recommended to sprinkle it with powdered sugar on top before consumption.
Herovke are traditional sweet treats from Vojvodina, and they are especially popular in the region's Slovak community. They are made with flour, sugar, egg yolks, salt, sour cream, and rakija (local schnapps). The dough shouldn't be too hard nor too soft. It is rolled thinly and cut into strips. The strips are rolled into small balls, and they are then placed inside a special tool (a long spoon with a rounded, pierced top part, which can be opened) before being deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. After the deep-frying process, herovke are rolled in powdered sugar and vanilla sugar. It is recommended to shake herovke well so that the sugar also comes to the interior of these crispy balls. In the old days in the Slovak community, herovke used to be prepared for weddings, where they were brought instead of big wedding cakes. There is also a savory, salty version of herovke, but it is not as popular as the sweet one.
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