Balkan Cafe

Checked out Balkan Cafe on Beach Blvd. You take one bite and quickly see why this place ended up on the list! So let's get right to it!Food - 10/10 First off a fair warning. Don't think of getting the Balkan Mix alone and finishing it. If you're ordering that, you better have backup. I went with my best friend and we both ordered a dish and got far more than we could have ever anticipated. And considering the heavy focus on meat, you really get a bang for your buck. Pljeskavica (burger) was huge. It comes in the most amazing bread which is a soft, pillowy marvel that is made locally apparently. They call it a ciabatta but it's somewhere between that and a pita and I could eat it forever and be happy. The meat is amazing and comes with this fantastic cheese spread that we both raved over. You also get a peppery veggie spread that I didn't get to try because of the peppers but my companion said was as great as the cheese spread. While I ate half of my meal, my companion didn't come close to half. His Balkan Mix could have easily fed 3-4 people. A couple of ladies also dining next to us also ordered the same thing and were laughing with us about how little of a dent they too put in their meal. The dish consists of the Cevapi and sudzuka sausages as well as beef strips in onions and peppers. Everything was delightful. We were nudged into trying the dessert which while I was incredibly full, I managed to take two bites and absolutely loved the layered cake with its mixed flavors and textures. I missed the name of that particular cake and my companion dove in so fast I almost missed the picture too. But it's a delightful bite to be sure!! They also carry a fun mix of European beverages and beers. The herbal drink was unusual but tasty and the Czech Pilsner was a great complement to the meal.Atmosphere - 10/10 Nestled in a strip mall that looks recently renovated, parking is ample and accessible. The interior is bright and open and offers tables and a stool at the counter if you want to watch the cooking. While clearly not a sports bar, the TVs are tuned to sports and with the big mix plate and beers available, I'd happily grab a comfy table and settle in to watch a soccer match here with a couple friends. Even on a cold day it's a comfortable place to sit and meander through your meal.Service - 10/10 While clearly a small restaurant and several other table sat, you never felt rushed to finish and depart. Actually who I assum was the proprietor greeted us warmly, happily explained the dishes to us and checked on us often. He was a genuinely joyful and caring person who clearly loves to share his culture and amazing food in our community. This is definitely a hidden gem in Jax.

If we went by portion size alone, this place would get ten stars. I had the Balkan mix lunch plate, which had multiple types of meats, a pita, a lot of raw onions, and two sauces. It was a huge amount of food for one person, way more than I could eat. The food itself was good, but not outstanding, though. The best thing on the plate was the sudzuka sausages, which were skinny but packed with flavor. The beef strips with grilled onions on mushrooms tasted fine, but were definitely on the tough side. The cevapi (think kebab) were definitely underseasoned. The service was very friendly, though could perhaps be a little more intuitive -- the man at the counter asked if I'd been there before as I studied the menu, and when I said no and looked at him expectantly (inviting some guidance), he just walked away. (It was not busy.) Prices are perhaps a little high for a lunch in the area, but again, the portions are huge. I'd go back sometime.

Loved it!!! Had a great time there food was delicious!! Customer service was on point.

Checked out this spot in Jacksonville for some Serbian eats, and the cevapi was on point - flavorful and grilled to perfection. The owner is amazing, adding a personal touch to the whole experience. If you're up for a chill vibe and fantastic food, this place is a winner!

Went to Florida on vacation & ate at this place with my friends. It was amazing. Beautiful atmosphere. The staff was friendly. The food was very authentic & came out hot & fresh with the most awesome smell. The best Bosnian food I have ever eaten! A must try if you visit Jacksonville, Florida!!!

When I visited a gym that I don't frequent, I saw this cafe in the same complex. I waited a few minutes for them to open and went in to see what they had. I met the owner, who was very welcoming, and made a recommendation to me as a first timer. I ended up trying the cevapi and the cake of the day. The cevapi reminded me a lot of kofta. The small beef sausages were very well seasoned and the pita bread encasing them was soft, light, and beautifully grilled. The only thing that made it better was dipping the sausage into the cheese and vegetable sauces. The cake was light and tasty with an amaretto cream layer and layers of whipped cream.The food was so good that I went back two days later to try something else. This time I got the Greek salad with chicken. Unlike many salads, the chicken was actually seasoned! The portion was huge, and to my delight, it came with their grilled cheese pita bread!I love the fact that this is a small, family owned business that cooks food to order and that serves high quality flavorful food at a good value. I will definitely be back!

This restaurant's setup reminded me of the Greek restaurants in Santorini! It was a small restaurant but had a very homey-comfortable atmosphere. The beef cevapi was delicious, and I really loved the veggie and cheese dip it came with. The chicken Alfredo was also delicious and had the best melted texture and flavor. The chef was so sweet and I wouldn't definitely come back for more authentic food!

One of a kind!Everything is fresh. I asked the guy for a salad and he said I don't have tomatoes, couldn't find fresh ones. To think he goes out every day to get fresh ingredients is exactly why I've been back countless of times.The setting is just right.Simple, sit and eat, that's what you're there for!

this is the most authentic food in jacksonville.You can tell the guys care about their craft.If you haven't been, GO.

A cozy lil mom n pop cafe vibe! the owner she was the sweetest and coolest! mentioned it was our first time, went on a friday afternoon she said she was out of most desserts and sides (duh!) but still recommended us some items! everything was super yummy