Iva New Balkan Cuisine — Restaurant in City of Belgrade

Just had dinner this evening. Fairly disappointing given our expectations (Michelin stars) and price. Service was slow (absent) when we sat down for almost 30 minutes. They were waiting other tables. This makes it complicated as the parking in this part of the city is only 1 hour with a half hour extension. We felt in a rush as we "lost" a half hour. Food taste, portions and presentation was not impressive - some experimental flavours but they didn't hit the mark for anyone at our table - few locals and few international tourists. Everything was below your average kafana. One of the signature dishes (Osso Bucco encased in dough) was presented terribly. Wait staff hold the entire dish with a kitchen towel because it's too hot to hold (meaning they are touching your food at the same time as the dough is also on the outside of the dish). This kitchen towel was left crumpled up under the plate; you now can't use a knife and fork because the plate is uneven and on an angle. Now you have to figure out how to pull this towel out from under a very hot plate you can't touch. Once you pull it out, you cover yourself in flour as it's been touching dough and loose flour and is very dirty. How does this get Michelin stars? Especially for the price. Do yourselves a favour and go experience Comunale in Beton Hala. We also asked for a light vegetable side salad as our main meals were quite meat forward and there weren't any options - either a huge meal-size salad or burrata which is heavier. We were also charged 800RSD for "kuver" which is like a "cover charge" - it feels slimy for one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. Build this into your prices so the price is clear. Tables too tight outside - constantly bumping into people and people bumping into you. Not enough servers. Servers not coordinated - interrupting each other and giving each other directions mid sentence, all of our main courses came out luke warm, not hot. etc. the list goes on. Will not...

I visited Iva New Balkan Cuisine on a Sunday around 2:00 pm and, unfortunately, the experience was consistently disappointing.

Ambience & cleanliness: The interior furniture looks cheap, worn, and chipped. Tables have no cloths or placemats and were not wiped between courses; by the second course, the table was visibly dirty. Tables are very small, chairs are wicker-style, and the sofa was unclean. From the street the place looks attractive, but inside there is little attention to detail and an overall untidy feel. Because the room is cramped and the background music is very quiet, the noise from conversations becomes overwhelming.

Menu availability: About half of the items were unavailable, which we only learned after ordering—there was no prior warning. We observed the same issue at the next table with a different server.

Food: • The ajvar served as “homemade” tasted and felt indistinguishable from a store-bought jar to me. • The baked cheese was so aggressively sharp that I couldn’t eat it; one spoonful left an unpleasant aftertaste for about 20 minutes. • The chicken with mashed potatoes was dry and bland; the batter was hard enough to scratch the roof of my mouth. The mash was perfectly smooth in a way that suggested instant mix. • The pork was simultaneously dry and burnt yet oily, with grease pooling on the plate. The side was a single whole potato, unevenly roasted.

Service: The waiter repeatedly pressed me to order drinks even after I clearly declined. When asked for feedback, I explained the specific issues above. The response I received was simply, “the chef says the dishes are intended to be like that,” with no apology or attempt to make things right. Most of the food remained uneaten.

Overall, this was an unpleasant visit—from the interior and cleanliness to the service and food quality. I cannot recommend...

Ah, indeed, our dining experience at the renowned restaurant in Belgrade transcended the ordinary, as we were introduced to a culinary symphony that left us awe-struck. The lamb dish, oh, it was nothing short of a revelation! The succulent lamb, so tender and expertly prepared, seemed to melt in our mouths, an exquisite testament to the chef's mastery of cooking techniques.

As we indulged in the mini buns, we couldn't help but notice their delightful heft. They were generously filled with the finest lamb, and the basil dressing lent a refreshing touch that elevated the overall experience. These buns truly showcased the restaurant's dedication to creating substantial and satisfying dishes that lingered on our palates.

Each plate that graced our table was a delightful dance of flavors, textures, and creativity, meticulously crafted by a culinary virtuoso. The pulled pork shoulder, resting upon a warm and crispy waffle, was a marvel of sweet and savory harmonies, enhanced further by the tantalizing combination of crispy onion, mustard, and honey, perfectly complemented by the tangy pickled kohlrabi.

The plum gnocchi, a true pièce de résistance, showcased the chef's imaginative touch. The gnocchi, skillfully paired with dry plum, velvety vanilla cream, and a scoop of luscious ice cream, delighted both our taste buds and our senses, creating an enchanting blend of flavors and temperatures.

I must applaud the restaurant's commitment to culinary excellence. With each dish, we witnessed the chef's profound understanding of flavors and ingredients, resulting in a dining experience that will remain etched in our memories. This culinary journey in Belgrade has undoubtedly raised the bar, reaffirming the city's status as a haven for food connoisseurs, leaving us with a longing to return for yet another remarkable...