Growing up in South Africa was a strange experience in some senses. Surrounded by sea from three sides and having four neighbouring third world countries next door, South Africa might as well be a far flung country.
Lands with culture and rich histories are far away and passionate tales were told by those lucky enough to have visited. With the exception of the United States, who had saturated our TV screens with entertainment, most other countries were shrouded in mystery. In fact, the further the away the country the more enigmatic it was.
One such country is Serbia and visiting it was like the fog lifting from this part of the world. Driving through Belgrade there is no mistaking that we’re in an ex-communist country with cyrillic billboards and women wearing funky socks paired with dubious footwear.
Right in the heart of Belgrade we stayed at the exemplary Square Nine Hotel, five star luxury for the discerning traveller.
A short walk away you’ll find Dukley City Lounge that recently opened. Businessmen frequent this venue and it’s easy to see why – with its wooden interiors, wide range of whisky and late night bar in the basement reminiscing the bygone jazz era.
The menu comprises an eclectic selection of international favourites and tend to be on the heavy side. As someone who detests beer, the Beer, Elderflower, Vodka and Lime cocktail was surprisingly pleasant and refreshing. Fresh breadrolls arrived at the table and the velvety paprika, garlic and basil butter was downright moreish.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to starters. My favourite was the somewhat feminine Tuna Tartar (£9.50) that was brined for 24 hours and served with pickled cucumber, sliced avocado and a zesty emulsion of orange juice, ginger, oyster sauce, sesame oil and seeds.
In close second came the big hunk of a Camembert (£5.50), completely covered with ground hazelnut and pepper, in a cloche containing thyme smoke. Cranberry jelly is served on the side to cut through the richness and wine is simply a must.
Also noteworthy was the goat’s cheese that formed part of the Italian-style platter (£6.00). Goat’s cheese tend to be at the end of two extremes – with rind and gooey on the inside or dry and crumbly. Unusually, Dukley City Lounge’s offering falls in the middle; a soft, not gooey, yet not firm and definitely not dry cheese. Most of the produce used in the restaurant are bought locally in an effort to support local businesses.
The Pumpkin Risotto (£5.50) was better placed in the main course section than with the starters. It’s the perfect autumnal dish, laced with cinnamon and tastes like a savoury pudding. Topped with crispy sage and prosciutto, condensed red onions and melted parmesan it proved to be as pretty as a picture.
Prawn Wrapped in Sea Bass (£9.50) served with a medley of vegetables and citrus sauce were well executed. Not to missed is the Duck a L’Orange (£10.00) which melted in the mouth with the help of the sous vide. Sweet potato puree and orange jus worked brilliantly with the meat. Throughout the meal one could not help but appreciate the range of artsy crockery used.
Camomile Panna Cotta (£1.50) topped with lemongrass cream came in cute little cups but turned out to be unbalanced with no acidity to help cut through the richness. The kilner jar craze seems to have hit Serbian soil but the deconstructed Jaffa dessert (£1.75) proved to be irresistible with its laýers of ground, roast hazelnuts, chocolate mousse and orange jelly.
Overall, the quality of the food served was fantastic and it’s definitely worth a visit if you are slightly suspicious to try the local cuisine yet don’t want to stoop to McDonald’s. Warning, there aren’t many of the latter in the capital.
For another perspective of the restaurant, you can read Jeanne’s review here.
(Don’t forget out its sister restaurant in Budva, called Dukley Beach Lounge.)
Have you ever been to Serbia? If so, what did you think? If not, why not?
Quick Overview
Food
8/10: Good from start to finish.
Value
9/10: Prices are below the average of decent London restaurants with the Tuna Tartar being the exception. Decent sized portions though.
Service
8/10: Attentive and on the ball.
Ambience
7/10: Laid back with acoustic covers of well known tracks playing in the background.
Recommend
8/10: Great food and service to be had in Belgrade’s city centre.
Dukley City Lounge
Kralja Petra 44
Београд 11000
Serbia
Website
P.S. I was a guest of Dukley City Lounge.
Natalie Crossan says
No never been…
I’ve also subscribed via email xx
Emily Hallett says
I’ve never been to Serbia – just never considered it.
Emily Hallett says
I’ve never been to Serbia – just never considered it.
Emma Nixon says
Never been.. Just prefer UK travel. Already subscribed.
Krzysia says
I’ve been to lots of countries but not Serbia…yet! I’d love to visit Belgrade of course, St Sava’s Cathedral , Kalamegdan fortress, the national parks and travel down the Danube:-)
laura banks says
never been its not somewhere ive thought of going
Ashleigh Allan says
I’ve never been – already subscribed by email!
Tasha Corder says
Nope not been, not yet anyway.
Kim Neville says
Subscribe by email thanks 🙂
Maxine G says
Never been, but looks so interesting!
Sophie Dolan says
Nope, never been to Serbia.. just never really considered going!
& i have subscribed by email, thank you.
Sophie Dolan says
Nope, never been to Serbia.. just never really considered going!
& i have subscribed by email, thank you.
gemma brown says
not, i’ve not really heard about it
Andrew Hindley says
No never it’s somewhere that I have never thought of visiting
Kristy Brown says
I have never been – already an email subscriber
Helen Allan says
We’ve not been… Yet!
Helen Allan says
We’ve not been… Yet!
leanne weir says
never been its not somewhere we’ve thought of going
leanne weir says
never been its not somewhere we’ve thought of going
Mark Palmer says
Never been to Serbia
joanna sawka says
Never been, never though there is something interesting to see
Rosalind Blight says
no as never left the UK
Lindy Hine says
I have never been but I would love to go because the scenery looks absolutely stunning. It’s on my wishlist definately!
Rachel Gilbey says
I’ve not been purely because I haven’t had the opportunity yet.
Eleanor Wigmore says
Never been! Not in my top 10 and concentrating on saving up for them.
Katherine Coldicott says
I’ve not been but my nephew went on his gap year travels around Europe & had a lot of fun.
Wendy Tolhurst says
Have never been to Serbia. To be honest, it is not somewhere I know a lot about – I know Ivanovich who plays for Chelsea comes from there, but otherwise that’s about it! If I went, I would choose to go for a long weekend to get a taste for the place first.
Alison says
I have never been but I would love to go.It looks lovely. Just not had a chance yet
Jen says
Great photos, I’ve not visited Serbia yet but I would like to one day. The food looks really good and I like the sound of that cocktail even though I’m not a big beer fan either.
Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla says
What a great selection of dishes and this green steaming mysterious dessert looks very intriguing! 🙂
Emma Clements says
I’ve never been 🙁 xx
Emma says
Never been
Emma says
Never been
Megan Davies says
Ive never been serbia it just hasnt peaked my intrest yet
Megan Davies says
Ive never been serbia it just hasnt peaked my intrest yet
Rachael Marsden says
No, never been although I did work with a girl whose parents were from serbia and she made it sound a nice place
Beth says
I’ve never been to Serbia but would love to, I love travelling
Laura says
I’ve never been because I’ve never been out of the UK. Sounds interesting though.
Darlene Masters says
I’ve never been to Serbia – probably because I don’t know much about the country and haven’t come into contact with any Serbians.
Deborah Bird says
No, I’ve never had the chance x
Angie Hoggett says
I’ve never been but that restaurant is making me wanna visit!
Kat Lucas says
I’ve never been to Serbia
Margaret Clarkson says
No, I’ve never been to Serbia. When Yugoslavia existed I went there but to Croatia, which was lovely.
Hannah Whitling says
Nope never been
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
My best friend and I keep meaning to eat our way through lots of countries like Serbia. One day we will.
Jill Ashton says
Never been to Serbia, but would like to
Tracey Peach says
I’ve never been sorry xxx
Tracey Peach says
I’ve never been sorry xxx
Tracey Peach says
I’m signed up to the news letter xxx
iain maciver says
NEVER BEEN SO FAR
James Walker says
Serbia isn’t a place I have visited.
Laura Chapman says
Nope, I have never been before. It is not somewhere I know enough about that has enticed me to visit.
claire woods says
No because I always choose places suitable for children.
susan younger says
Never been. Never thought of going there
Mari Spencer says
No I have never been never been able to afford to go.
Brenda Davies says
Nope, never been
Brenda Davies says
Nope, never been
Sheila Reeves says
Have never been to Serbia as it’s not somewhere I’ve heard a lot about before
Am subscribed to your newsletter
Greig spencer says
NEVER, BUT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT
Greig spencer says
NEVER, BUT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT
pete c says
have never been to Serbia
janine atkin says
ive never been
Nancy Bradford says
I’ve never been but would to visit.
Charlotte Hoskins says
No I havent, probably as other countries have a more touristic nature
Eleanor Powell says
No never been, have not had the chance, would like to though
Eleanor Powell says
No never been, have not had the chance, would like to though
Chris Andrews says
Have you ever been to Serbia? If so, what did you think? If not, why not? No l’m afraid l’ve never been to Serbia
Chris Andrews says
have subscribed by email
Sarah Palmer says
No I haven’t I would love to travel so much but with young kids its hard maybe in the future x
Sheri Darby says
I haven’t been – I would love to, money stops us
Victoria Prince says
I’ve never been to Serbia – I’m disabled and can’t fly so have never been anywhere abroad!
Leanne Bell says
Nope, I have never been.
sue thomas says
no but would tlove o
Margaret says
I’ve never been, mainly as I don’t know much about it so have never really considered going.
Angela McDonald says
I’ve never really thought to ever go there for a holiday!
Claire Ward says
I never thought about it as a holiday destination
Mary Baldwin says
I’ve never been to Serbia as it never struck me before as a holiday destination.
LoobyLee says
I haven’t been to Serbia as has never even been a consideration before now, but I may have to change that.
LoobyLee says
Subscribed to the newsletter
Ann says
Never been, and to be honest it’s not even somewhere I know exactly where it is. Poor geography!
Susanne Ball says
No, I have never been to Serbia, although I was supposed to go with college in 2006 but the trip was cancelled! I have however visited the neighbouring country of Bulgaria, and based upon that visit, Serbia is certainly somewhere I would visit in the future.
Bonnie King says
No I’ve not been although its on my massive list of places I would like to visit. There are just so many places I would like to go that Rome and Paris came first I’m afraid.
zoe somerfield says
I’ve never been but have heard it’s lovely, definately one to visit.
Paula Readings says
No, never been to Serbia, heard good things though.
Paula Readings says
No, never been to Serbia, heard good things though.
Laura Pritchard says
No – it’s never occurred to me to go there as it’s a fairly “new” destination.
Hayley Manton says
Never been. Never crossed my mind.
Hayley Manton says
Never been. Never crossed my mind.
Sandra Foreman says
No but would love to .org could afford it
Andrew Seaman says
Love to win 🙂
Magda says
would be great to get that book!I love to cook new yummy recipes.