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Restaurant Sarajevo Reviews List
Restaurant Sarajevo
Best kept secret near Lincoln Square, described as "Authentic ethnic experience" by WTTW's Check, Please! and "Soul-Warming Balkan food" in Chicago Tribune.
We offer Bosnian (Serbian, Croatian) cuisine, which is balanced between Western and Eastern European influences. Bosnian food is closely related to Turkish, Greek, Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines. However, due to years of Austrian rule, also influenced by Central Europe. Typical meat dishes include beef and lamb, but we offer a wide selection of seafood, salads, as well as delicious deserts and coffee.
Some local specialties are cevapcici (are absolutely delicious), Kajmak, Bosnian Style Oven Roasted Veal, Bosnian Mix Plate, Wienerschnitzel, Pljeskavica and Crepes. We also bake delicious house bread, fresh, every day.
Owner and chef Enes Hubjer passionately cares about fresh ingredients and home cooked taste for over 30 years now.
See more Restaurant Sarajevo details
We offer Bosnian (Serbian, Croatian) cuisine, which is balanced between Western and Eastern European influences. Bosnian food is closely related to Turkish, Greek, Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines. However, due to years of Austrian rule, also influenced by Central Europe. Typical meat dishes include beef and lamb, but we offer a wide selection of seafood, salads, as well as delicious deserts and coffee.
Some local specialties are cevapcici (are absolutely delicious), Kajmak, Bosnian Style Oven Roasted Veal, Bosnian Mix Plate, Wienerschnitzel, Pljeskavica and Crepes. We also bake delicious house bread, fresh, every day.
Owner and chef Enes Hubjer passionately cares about fresh ingredients and home cooked taste for over 30 years now.
24 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 24 reviews
5 stars
(10)
4 stars
(9)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(18)
- fit for foodies(12)
- good for groups(8)
- special occasion(3)
- great for lunch(2)
- kid-friendly(2)
Restaurant Sarajevo Reviews List
Review 1 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Gem in Albany Park
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went to Restaurant Sarajevo with my group of 6, which included a pescatarian, a vegetarian, and a few people who aren't very adventurous with food. The menu suited most everybody (a little hard for the vegetarian to feel as full as we did), and we enjoyed the whole experience. Having personally had been to Bosnia and Herzegovina before, the food was authentic and not overly stylized like some "ethnic" restaurants can be. The owner made us laugh quite a number of times, and was very present throughout our meal. Overall - we had a good time, and will definitely be returning with a bottle of wine."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My dinner group had been looking for a place to go for something Eastern European for a while now. An acquaintance suggested Restaurant Sarajevo. We started with the Bosnian Feta Cheese salad and a special potato and onion pie, both delicious. Our server, after learning that we were new to Bosnian cuisine, suggested that we let him create a family style dinner that would give us a sample of some of the more traditional dishes. We had the Bosnian mixed plate, Large Pljeskavica, Bosnian Style Oven Roasted Veal, creamed spinach, steamed veggies w/ rice, weekend special potatoes and fries with bosian feta. It was a perfect way to try a variety dishes and was reasonably prices. We had the apple pie/rolls for dessert. We'll definitely return!"
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"If you enjoy ethnic dishes and old world charm, you'll like this place. We did.
The homemade bread is delicious, the infused olive oil and feta cheese very fresh, amongst the
best I have had. The calamari was near perfect, lightly crispy, very tender and flavorful."
The homemade bread is delicious, the infused olive oil and feta cheese very fresh, amongst the
best I have had. The calamari was near perfect, lightly crispy, very tender and flavorful."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Everything is flavorful and rich
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This place is BYOB, and there are a couple of liquor stores in the area if you forget. Everything is flavorful and perfectly rich. They were a bit understaffed because there were four tables that hadn't made reservations. Make reservations people! But it was fine; our waiter was quite capable. He made some excellent recommendations (the grilled calamari, the zucchini pie, and the crepes with wine chateaux were excellent - the dessert was prepared on a flame tableside). The feta and the cold cuts were wonderful, and my date said the Bosnian Grilled Veal Kabob was pretty standard."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 5 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Restaurant Sarajevo is a find,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Restaurant Sarajevo is a find, do not let the fact that the outside appearance is that of a small neighborhood restaurant fool you. The interior offers an intimate. timeless ambiance usually reserved for the classic restaurants found along Chestnut, Rush or Ontario Streets. The food is traditional Bosnian, fresh, delicious and portioned well. We had a relaxing lunch (4 hrs) and never felt rushed by the staff. Our waiter was excellent, and offered to make us a mixed platter that was not on the menu, giving each member of our party of 4 the opportunity to taste all of the meat offerings, as well as the fettucine. Capucino's, apple rolls and crepes were a delectable conclusion to a fantastic meal. BYOB retaurant, don't forget the kruskovac!"
Dined on 04/11/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 6 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
An odd high/low presentation
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"An odd high/low presentation on some of the items, but the food was overall good to great. Housemade items were especially notable, such as the bread and the soft cheese. The dining room is cozy and romantic with its wood paneling. The service was impeccable. I had a lovely evening out with a friend, where we stuffed ourselves silly and talked for hours."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best food for the dollar.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"Best food for the dollar. Food is always great. & you always get your monies worth. & more."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 8 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Arrived at 6pm and they were
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Arrived at 6pm and they were already out of the special soup and their famous bread!! 2nd time that happened. The place had only 2 other parties but our waiter was very slow and not eager to please. He took time for a cigarette break downstairs that we could smell in the restaurant and on him. Not going back. Food just average."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2003
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great East European Style Dining
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was both authentic and divine, the service warm and friendly and the environment inviting.
We had an off-the-menu Mixed Grill for Two, recommended by our waiter, which included the daily special, lamb shank. Every item reminded me of being back in the "Motherland". Chicago ethnic food at its best. We'll be going back again soon to this lovely little spot on something of a "restaurant island" in Chicago.
NOTE: This is a BYOB only establishment. There is a liquor store across the street and 1.5 blocks west, if needed."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Incredible restaurant. Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Incredible restaurant. Great food - very fresh. It's BYOB which makes it even better. The waiter was wonderful and professional. He checked in on us to ensure we had everything we needed.
Loved it. Will be back!"
Dined on 03/05/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 11 for Restaurant Sarajevo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful, warm dining experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wonderful, warm dining experience. Enes runs the front of the house like it was his own home and makes you feel very welcome. His staff are friendly, accommodating and helpful. Authentic Bosnian dishes and BYOB make for a wonderful and affordable ethnic fine dining experience."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Restaurant Sarajevo
Based on the average of (13) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
0 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate