What to Order at Balkan Bakery If It’s Your First Time

Walking into a new bakery for the first time is exciting—but it can also feel a little overwhelming, especially when the pastries and cakes come from a food culture you’re still discovering. If you’ve just found Balkan Bakery in the Chicagoland area and you’re wondering what to order first, this guide is for you.

Whether you have Balkan roots or you’re completely new to Serbian and Balkan food, we’ll walk you through the must-try items that give you a true taste of what we do best. Think of this as your friendly starter guide to Balkan Bakery: what to order, how to enjoy it, and how to leave already planning your next visit.

Start With the Classic: Burek

If you try only one thing on your first visit, let it be burek.

Burek is one of the most beloved Balkan dishes—a flaky, layered pastry made with thin dough and generous fillings. It’s savory, filling, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a late-afternoon snack. Many of our regulars in the Chicagoland area stop in specifically for a warm slice of burek and a coffee.

Common fillings include spinach and feta, meat, cheese, or mushroom. If you’re new to Balkan food, spinach and feta or cheese burek is a great place to start. The crisp, golden layers on the outside and soft, flavorful filling on the inside make it instantly comforting, even if you’ve never had it before.

Pair it with a coffee or yogurt drink, and you’ll understand why burek is such a big part of everyday life in the Balkans.

A Slice of Something Sweet: Jaffa or Kinder Cake

Once you’ve tried something savory, it’s time for dessert. Balkan cakes are rich, layered, and full of character. Two of the most popular choices for first-time visitors are Jaffa cake and Kinder-inspired cake.

Jaffa cake brings together chocolate and orange—a combination that feels both familiar and special. Layers of sponge, chocolate, and citrus create a balanced flavor that isn’t too sweet but still feels indulgent. If you like chocolate-orange candy or European-style desserts, this is an easy win.

Kinder-inspired cake is another favorite, especially for families. Inspired by the flavors of the well-known chocolate bar, it usually features layers of chocolate, cream, and soft sponge. It’s creamy, comforting, and very approachable for kids and adults who might be trying Balkan desserts for the first time.

Ordering one slice of each and sharing at the table is a smart move. You’ll quickly discover which style you prefer—and you might find yourself taking a whole cake home next time.

A Taste of Tradition: Bajadera or Nutty Layered Desserts

To really understand Balkan dessert culture, you need to taste something with nuts, chocolate, and that unmistakable “special occasion” feeling. That’s where Bajadera-style desserts and other nutty layered cakes come in.

These desserts are often made with ground walnuts or hazelnuts, chocolate, and buttery layers that melt in your mouth. They are rich, elegant, and traditionally served at holidays, Slavas, and important family gatherings.

If you’re visiting Balkan Bakery for the first time and want to experience something truly traditional, ask for a nutty layered dessert or a Bajadera-inspired slice. It’s the kind of treat that makes people from the Balkans say, “This tastes like home,” and it gives newcomers a glimpse into the flavors that define so many celebrations.

Something to Sip: Coffee, Juice, or European Drinks

No visit to a Balkan bakery is complete without something to drink. In the Balkans, coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a ritual. At Balkan Bakery, you can enjoy that same spirit in the heart of Chicagoland.

If you love strong coffee, pair your cake or burek with espresso or a similar style. If you’re more of a classic American coffee drinker, a regular coffee or latte works beautifully with our desserts. The important thing is to slow down for a moment, sit, and enjoy the combination of coffee and cake.

For a non-coffee option, try a juice, soft drink, or one of the European beverages we carry. Many guests enjoy exploring flavors they don’t usually find in typical American grocery stores. It’s a simple way to make your first visit feel like a small trip abroad without leaving Illinois.

Explore the Shelves: Balkan Specialty Products

One thing that surprises many first-time visitors is that Balkan Bakery is not only a bakery—it’s also a specialty store. After you’ve chosen your pastry and cake, take a few minutes to walk through the shelves.

You’ll find familiar Balkan brands and products: cookies, chocolates, snacks, spreads, seasonings, and more. Even if you’re not ready to cook full Balkan meals at home, you can start with something small—maybe a package of cookies, a chocolate bar, or a jar of ajvar to try with bread or sandwiches.

If you have Balkan roots, this section often feels nostalgic. If you’re new to the cuisine, it’s a fun way to discover what people in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and neighboring countries grew up eating.

For Families and Groups: How to Order a Little Bit of Everything

If you’re visiting with friends or family, the best first-time strategy is to share. Instead of everyone ordering the same thing, mix and match:

• One or two types of burek to share

• A couple of different cake slices (for example, Jaffa and Kinder)

• One traditional nutty dessert for the table

Cut everything into smaller pieces and let everyone taste. This turns your first visit into a mini Balkan tasting experience and helps you figure out exactly what you want to order next time.

If you’re picking up for a group at home or the office, you can do the same thing with a box to go—ask for a variety of slices and pastries so everyone gets to try something new.

How to Order If You’re Completely New to Balkan Food

If you’re standing at the counter and feeling unsure, you’re not alone. Many of our guests in the Chicagoland area are trying Balkan food for the first time. The good news is that you don’t need to know all the names or traditions to enjoy it.

A simple approach is to tell the staff what you usually like. For example:

• “I like savory pastries and cheese—what do you recommend?”

• “I love chocolate desserts but not too sweet. What should I try?”

• “I’m ordering for kids and adults. What’s a good mix?”

From there, it’s easy for us (or any knowledgeable staff member) to guide you toward the right burek, cake, or cookie. Balkan food might be new, but the goal is the same as any good bakery: something that makes you happy when you take the first bite.

Turning Your First Visit Into a Tradition

The best compliment we receive is when a first-time visitor becomes a regular. Maybe you start by trying burek and Jaffa cake. On your next visit, you add a Kinder slice and a few cookies. Later, you come back for a custom cake, a tray of pastries for a celebration, or a box of goodies to take to friends.

Balkan Bakery is designed to be that kind of place—a spot you can visit for a quick breakfast, a special dessert, or a taste of home. Over time, you’ll find your personal favorites and maybe even introduce new people to Balkan food in the process.

Your First-Visit Checklist

To make it easy to remember, here’s a simple checklist for what to order at Balkan Bakery if it’s your first time:

• A slice of burek (spinach and feta, cheese, meat, or mushroom)

• One or two cake slices (Jaffa and Kinder-inspired are perfect starters)

• A traditional nutty dessert, like a Bajadera-style slice

• A drink to match—coffee, tea, or a European beverage

• One packaged Balkan product from the shelves to try at home

With that combination, you’ll walk out having experienced the savory, the sweet, the traditional, and the everyday flavors that make Balkan food so special.

A Warm Welcome to Balkan Flavors in Chicagoland

Trying a new cuisine can feel like a small adventure. When you step into Balkan Bakery for the first time, you’re not just buying food—you’re tasting stories, traditions, and recipes that traveled from the Balkans to the heart of the Midwest.

Start with burek, explore the cakes, sip something warm, and let your curiosity guide you. Whether you have deep Balkan roots or you’re simply a Chicago-area food lover searching for something new, there’s a place for you at our table.