Unearth The Voyage
Tucked into Lincoln Square, Coffee Slasticarna Drina feels like a ticket to Sarajevo without leaving Chicago. The moment you step in, the aroma of fresh pies and strong coffee wraps around you like a warm hug.
Friendly faces, cash only, and prices that make regulars smile set the tone right away. If you crave authentic Balkan comfort, this cozy café delivers the real thing, one flaky slice at a time.
Bosnian Coffee Ritual
Bosnian coffee at Coffee Slasticarna Drina is not just a drink, it is a moment. A small copper džezva arrives on a tray, with a tiny cup, sugar cubes, and sometimes a sweet bite.
You pour slowly, watch the crema settle, and let the rich aroma set the pace for a conversation that lingers.
The brew is earthy and strong, smoother than you expect, without bitterness when sipped patiently. You will taste echoes of Sarajevo, even if you have never been, because the ritual guides you there.
Staff are happy to explain the steps, and you will leave a little more confident pouring your second round.
Bring cash, because this house keeps things old school and warm. The price is gentle, the experience priceless, and the vibe unhurried.
Sit near the window and watch Lawrence Avenue pass by while the coffee cools in its copper home.
Cheese Burek Sirnica
Sirnica, the cheese burek at Drina, is the kind of pastry that makes you pause mid sentence. The dough is rolled impossibly thin, then layered until it shatters delicately with each bite.
Inside, a tangy-salty cheese blend stays creamy, balancing the crisp exterior perfectly.
Order by the slice or bring home a platter for gatherings, because it disappears quickly at parties. Locals swear by it, and newcomers are converted after the first crunch.
Pair it with yogurt for the classic combination, and you will understand why regulars return weekly.
The portions are generous and the price kind, especially for handmade dough that tastes like care. Grab a slice for breakfast or a late afternoon snack when the bakery scent fades into evening.
If you regret ordering more, someone in your circle will happily finish it.
Meat Burek
Drina’s meat burek is comfort wrapped in thousands of crisp layers. The filling is savory minced beef with gentle seasoning, juicy without greasiness, tucked inside hand stretched dough.
Each slice releases a puff of steam and a buttery aroma that hits first.
It is satisfying on its own, but a side of cool yogurt or kajmak turns it into a full meal. The texture play is everything, shatter and softness, richness and restraint.
Portions are fair, prices are friendly, and the experience stays with you long after you leave.
Ask for it warmed if the tray has just cooled, they will happily oblige. Sit, breathe, and let the flaky edges crinkle under your fork.
This is the pie people mean when they say best burek in Chicago, and you will taste why.
Ćevapi Plate
Ćevapi at Drina feel like a small festival on a plate. Tender grilled sausages arrive tucked inside soft somun bread, with creamy kajmak and onion on the side.
The char is gentle, the interior juicy, and each bite lands with smoky comfort.
This is the dish that sends people back to memories of Bosnia, or makes new ones in Chicago. You can share, but you probably will not want to.
Add a side salad or fries, though the bread and kajmak already complete the picture.
It is wholesome, fairly priced, and deeply satisfying. If you want the straight shot of Balkan flavor, start here and thank yourself later.
Save room for dessert, but know the last bite of somun will be hard to resist.
Turkish Coffee Option
If you love ritual but prefer a slightly different profile, Turkish coffee here is a strong alternative. The grind is fine, the foam delicate, and the cup small enough to invite a second.
Sip slowly, and let the conversation stretch longer than your to do list.
It pairs beautifully with a slice of baklava or krempita, the sweet balancing the deep roast. Staff brew it with care, never rushed, which suits the café’s relaxed rhythm.
You order at the counter, claim a cozy table, and settle in.
Expect cash only, fair prices, and a charmingly modest setting. This is a place where coffee means connection, not just caffeine.
Whether you call it Bosnian or Turkish, the pleasure arrives the same way, in a warm cup.
Krempita Custard Slice
Krempita at Drina is the soft landing after a savory feast. Thick vanilla custard sits between delicate pastry sheets, topped with a snowy dusting of sugar.
The first forkful is cool and silky, calming and nostalgic in the best way.
It pairs beautifully with strong coffee, each sip lifting the sweetness. Portions are generous enough to share, though solo dessert therapy is valid here.
The custard holds its shape but melts the second it hits your tongue.
Ask what is fresh in the case, since offerings vary through the day. Prices remain friendly, making dessert an easy yes.
When you want a soothing finish that still feels special, krempita does the job quietly and perfectly.
Cash Only, Big Heart
Bring cash to Coffee Slasticarna Drina, and bring your appetite for kindness. The owners treat guests like neighbors, greeting regulars by name and newcomers with patience.
Prices stay low because frills are minimal and focus stays on food and care.
You order at the counter, choose a seat, and breathe out city stress. The rhythm is familiar to anyone who grew up around family run cafés.
There is pride in the spotless kitchen and in the dough rolled by hand.
Reviews read like love letters because hospitality is woven into daily routines. If you come up short on cash, they will often trust you to return later.
That warmth stays with you, long after the last crumb of burek disappears.
Lincoln Square Corner
Set on Lawrence Avenue near Lincoln Square, Drina feels like a neighborhood living room. You can spot the modest storefront by the steady stream of happy people leaving with boxes.
Inside, sunlight catches on metal trays and simple tables, inviting you to linger.
The location makes it an easy stop before errands or after a park stroll. Parking is straightforward, and the vibe is relaxed even during busy hours.
You will hear multiple languages, laughter, and the soft clatter of plates and cups.
It is the kind of place you recommend to visiting friends because it shows real Chicago. Not flashy, just genuine, delicious, and welcoming.
Come for coffee, stay for pie, leave plotting your next visit.
Friendly Prices
Value is part of Drina’s charm. Handmade dough, generous slices, and grill plates that satisfy without denting your wallet.
The menu keeps things straightforward so your choices stay focused on flavor, not math.
Regulars praise the fairness, especially given the careful preparation and steady quality. It feels like a rare find in a city where small bites often cost more.
Here, you get a full plate and change back from a modest bill.
Cash only keeps overhead simple, and the savings show up for you. Bring a little extra so dessert can join the party.
You will leave feeling respected as a guest and delighted as a diner.
Spotless Kitchen Pride
There is quiet pride behind the counter at Drina. Peek toward the back and you might catch the kitchen gleaming, everything tidy and in its place.
Dough is rolled by hand, and trays move with calm purpose from oven to case.
Guests notice the cleanliness and mention it with gratitude. It signals respect for the craft and for the people being fed.
When a kitchen shines, the food seems to glow a little brighter too.
This care shows up in flavor and texture, in pies that stay crisp and fillings that sing. You feel safe, welcome, and cared for without anyone saying a word.
Clean kitchen, clean flavors, and a café that takes its work seriously.
Community Living Room
Coffee Slasticarna Drina doubles as a community hub. You will see families, old friends, and newcomers sharing tables, swapping stories, and passing plates.
The owners greet people with warmth that feels inherited, not performed.
On slower afternoons, the café becomes a calm hideaway for reading or planning. On weekends, it hums with energy and the scent of fresh pies.
The space is modest, but the welcome is expansive and sincere.
It is the spot you recommend when someone asks for authentic, not trendy. Conversations stretch, time relaxes, and dessert becomes non negotiable.
Sit down for coffee, and you might leave with new friends and a box for later.
Hours To Know
Plan your visit around Drina’s thoughtful hours. Mornings start at 9 AM, with shorter days Monday to Wednesday, and longer evenings Thursday through Saturday.
Sunday offers a relaxed window that suits lingering coffee dates and family bites.
Call if you are unsure or checking a holiday schedule, because small shops move with real life. The phone is posted, and the team picks up when they can.
When in doubt, aim earlier, since fresh trays sell fast when the neighborhood gets hungry.
Knowing the rhythm helps you catch your favorites hot from the oven. It also ensures you snag a seat before the rush.
Show up on time, bring cash, and enjoy a slow hour that tastes like Europe on Lawrence.
Order For Gatherings
Hosting friends or family. Drina makes it easy with trays of burek that feed a crowd happily and affordably.
Order cheese, meat, or spinach, or mix them to keep everyone excited.
The pies travel well and reheat beautifully, staying crisp when warmed in an oven. A platter of sirnica on a table turns casual hangouts into cozy celebrations.
Add yogurt cups and maybe a box of baklava, and dessert takes care of itself.
Call ahead for larger orders so the kitchen can plan dough and baking time. Pickup is straightforward, and staff will help you stack boxes like a pro.
You will be the hero who shows up carrying flaky, golden comfort that disappears fast.
