Delicious food in Jahorina ski resort
For every skier, hiker or mountain lover, “energy supplies” through local flavours and delicacies are of highest importance. Food in Jahorina ski resort in Bosnia and Hercegovina revealed a range of superb moments for my son and me, during our family winter adventure last December. We perfectly knew how Bosnia food varieties can be tempting, but experiencing traditional dishes on the Jahorina Olympic Centre was something special.
“Rajska Vrata” Restaurant
Every day, after hours and hours of breathing fresh mountain air and full power skiing, there was a time for a light local lunch in one of many popular, “on the slope” restaurants. My son’s favourite was certainly Rajska Vrata Restaurant, located just next to 6a slope. Warm and cosy interior, traditional wooden furniture, pictures of old time Jahorina and skis from the past century hanging on the walls, are just a part of relaxing atmosphere here.
Image from: https://www.jahorina.org/
Popular local quick bites included famous and simple ustipci – crispy fitters served with homemade cheese and local cottage cheese. One portion which was easily shared by my son and me costs 6eur or 12KM ( KM stands for local currency called Bosnian Convertible Mark).
Perfectly warm veal soup was a great option as well, while classic delicious meat dish cevapi (finger shaped minced grilled meat) could be ordered for 7eur per portion.
Healthy mountain tap water was free, while most juices, sodas or beer ranged from 2.00 to 3.50eur.
“Freeze Ski Restaurant & Bar”
One day, my family and I thought about spectacular grilled meat meal, and we’ve found Freeze Ski Restaurant & Bar, next to Ogorjelica 2 chairlift. Incredible quality of meat and grilling technique, certainly justified a bit longer waiting time for our huge portions to be served. But we loved every moment there, food was incredible and price quite affordable.
As you were able to see, prices at Jahorina ski resort are clearly way lower than anywhere else in Europe. However, I admit that even here, trends are showing rapid price growth year after year. I hope it will not reach the level of Cervinia or Zermatt in the future, which would be unbearable for the living standard in Bosnia and Hercegovina.
“Olimpijski Bar”
If you are more related to a fancy option and highest level of service for your lunch break, then get ready for Olimpijski Bar, at the top gondola station. Just step into the world class interior design, amazing service, fabulous views over the mountain and at least 30% higher prices compared with other restaurants. However, this is one of those rare places where you can pay with a credit card.
Yes, you heard me well.
For Jahorina ski resort you simply need to be loaded with cash money. Official currency – KM or BAM would be perfect, but having euros can solve your shopping concerns, since European monetary unit is widely accepted here.
It was a bit confusing that even with so many visitors from all around Europe, Jahorina has shown incredible lack of money exchange offices and ATMs for cash withdrawal. When you come prepared, with a bit of historical and local mentality background, then nothing can surprise you and the purest enjoyment can start.
Wish to grab a quick bite?
If you want to save your time for skiing, grab a quick bite, rather than sit in a restaurant for a lunch break, you won’t be disappointed at all. Burger, pancake or sandwich stalls around Poljice cable car in the centre of Jahorina will offer plenty of super cheap fast food choices. Affordable pizzerias are available as well, while sometimes my son and I simply enjoyed our homemade sandwiches on a snow with sun shining and some nice music in the background.
“Krčma” Restaurant
One of our best culinary adventures in Jahorina came on the final day. Positively exhausted of winter activities, last night was reserved for a traditional dinner at fabulous Krčma Restaurant. Table was just next to a fireplace where beef and cabbage stew was slowly cooked in a huge clay pot. Blatina local red wine was so good, mountain trout was perfectly grilled for my wife, while my son and I grabbed tasty chops of mixed grilled meat. Our cheerful faces at the end shown how brilliant it was to feel the vibe of real life and genuine food.
From the end of WWII, through the glory of former Yugoslavia, all the way to Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984 and modern times of today, I think every single visitor came back from Jahorina with a few, nicely fit pounds or kilos of weight, as a unique memory of the its legendary flavours.
We truly loved every single bite!!!
