About
Leskovac is a city in southern Serbia, and it is best known for one thing above all: grilled meat. Locals and visitors alike call it the barbecue capital of Serbia, and its reputation for roštilj reaches well beyond the country's borders across the Balkans.
What to eat
The city's grill tradition centres on dishes that Serbian cooking knows well, prepared here with particular care:
- Ćevapi, small hand-shaped minced meat sausages, served with onion and flatbread
- Pljeskavica, a large, juicy patty of grilled meat
Eating in Leskovac is a social affair. Grill houses and open-air spots fill up in the evening, and the atmosphere is friendly and unhurried, which suits a meal meant to be shared.
The Roštiljijada festival
The Roštiljijada is the city's annual festival, and it draws food lovers from across the region. It is the natural occasion to visit if you want to see Leskovac at its most lively, with the grilling culture on full display.
Who the visit suits
Leskovac will appeal most to travellers who plan their trip around food and who enjoy a warm, local welcome. Its southern Serbian setting also makes it a practical stop for anyone exploring the region. If you go, plan your meals as part of the experience, and allow time to linger over them.
