Where Tradition Meets Innovation in Budva: Authentic Montenegrin Burek

While tourists visiting Montenegro pay an average of €15 per person for a meal, locals satisfy their hunger for just €4 with a hearty and traditional delicacy known as burek. Located in Budva and led by Chef Nicola, Ko te pita preserves the essence of classic Balkan pastry while adding a modern, light touch.

The Secret of a Grease-Free and Airy Dough

The secret to a great burek lies in its dough. Instead of using a rolling pin, Chef Nicola stretches the dough by hand in a circular motion using centrifugal force until it becomes almost transparent. The edges are carefully trimmed off so they do not become tough after baking. Unlike many traditional bakeries, the dough here is not drenched in oil; it is only lightly brushed so the layers do not stick together. Once out of the oven, a half-water, half-butter mixture is sprinkled on top to keep the thin crust elastic and moist. This technique results in a crispy exterior and a light, airy, and grease-free interior—all made fresh on the same day.

A Special Filling That Highlights the Meat

While standard meat burek recipes typically use a 1:1 ratio of onions to meat, Nicola alters this balance to 200–250 grams of onions per 1 kilogram of 100% natural beef. His philosophy is that onions should act only as a seasoning rather than overpowering the meat. Instead of mixing raw onions into the beef, he simmers them until they turn into a flavorful broth, then slowly stews the beef in that liquid. Butter is added directly to the meat rather than the dough, ensuring every bite remains juicy and tender.

A Creative Menu Inspired by Pizza-Making

Drawing from his six years of experience as a pizza chef, Nicola decided to bring pizza-style toppings into the world of burek, crafting a unique menu using fresh ingredients from local regional producers:

• Budva-Style Classic: A savory combination of slow-stewed beef and mozzarella cheese.
• Cheesy Peasy: A rich blend of multiple cheeses, including mozzarella, stracciatella, and gorgonzola.
• Truffle and Stracciatella: A gourmet option featuring balanced truffle aromas paired with creamy stracciatella.
• Dessert Burek: An inventive sweet pastry filled with whole Kinder chocolate bars and Plazma cookies, topped with finely chopped Kinder chocolate right after baking so it melts into a rich glaze.

Although burek is traditionally paired with plain yogurt, Ko te pita elevates the experience with a signature sauce made from Greek yogurt and fragrant garlic, alongside seasonal sides such as caramelized onions and homemade Budva olive tapenade.