Ima Dana
Ima Dana strikes a comfortable balance between authentic kafana atmosphere and tourist-accessible service on Skadarlija, making it a strong first choice for visitors who want the genuine experience without the intensity of the biggest venues. The outdoor seating on the cobblestones fills first in summer, offering front-row views of the street's evening transformation from quiet pedestrian zone to open-air celebration. The menu focuses on traditional Vojvodina cuisine, drawing from Serbia's northern province with dishes that emphasize paprika, cream, and slow-cooked meats alongside the standard grill offerings that every Skadarlija restaurant serves. Live music accompanies dinner nightly, with the band playing a mix of Serbian folk and popular songs at a volume that allows conversation between numbers. Service is attentive without being hovering, and the English-language menu helps foreign visitors order confidently without pointing at neighboring tables. A dinner with drinks runs RSD 2,500-4,000 per person, landing in the middle of Skadarlija's price range for a quality that justifies every dinar.
What to Expect
A well-run kafana that delivers authentic food and music without the intensity of the biggest venues. The atmosphere is festive but approachable. Good for visitors who want the Skadarlija experience without feeling overwhelmed by the noise level.
Festive and approachable. The Goldilocks kafana: not too intense, not too quiet, just right for a first Skadarlija experience.
Live Serbian folk and popular songs, slightly lower volume than the larger kafanas
Casual to smart casual. Relaxed and welcoming.
First-time visitors to Skadarlija who want an authentic but comfortable introduction. Groups with mixed interest levels in Serbian culture. Families.
Cash (RSD) and cards accepted
Price Range
Mains RSD 700-1,800, beer RSD 270-370, wine RSD 300-500, rakija RSD 180-300
≈ EUR 6-15.40 / USD 6.50-16.80 for mains, EUR 1.53-4.25 / USD 1.67-4.65 for drinks
Hours
Daily 11 AM to midnight, live music from 8 PM
Insider Tip
Try the Vojvodina specialties rather than defaulting to cevapi. The paprika chicken and the slow-cooked veal are worth ordering. The outdoor cobblestone seating gives the best atmosphere in summer.
Full Review
Ima Dana occupies a middle ground on Skadarlija that makes it particularly suitable for visitors experiencing the street for the first time. The intensity of Tri Sesira's 160-year history or the scale of Dva Jelena's communal celebrations can be overwhelming if you don't know what to expect from a kafana evening. Ima Dana introduces the concept at a comfortable volume and pace that lets you enjoy the food and music without feeling like you've been thrown into the deep end.
The outdoor seating is the main draw in warm months. Tables on the cobblestones put you in the center of Skadarlija's evening energy without committing you to the enclosed, amplified atmosphere inside the building. From this position, you watch musicians pass between venues, see groups arriving for dinner with increasing excitement, and feel the street's transition from casual pedestrian zone to celebratory outdoor festival. The waiter service on the terrace is good, with enough staff to avoid long waits despite the outdoor logistics that challenge less organized restaurants.
The Vojvodina-focused menu sets Ima Dana apart from the grill-dominated competition with genuine culinary distinction. While cevapi and pljeskavica are available and competently prepared, the kitchen's strength lies in dishes from Serbia's northern plains: paprika-heavy stews, cream-based sauces, and slow-cooked meats that reflect the Hungarian, Austrian, and Serbian culinary crossover that defines Vojvodina cuisine. The food is hearty, well-seasoned, and served in generous portions. The wine list includes labels from the Fruska Gora region near Novi Sad, which pairs naturally with the Vojvodina dishes.
The live music is present but less commanding than at the larger venues, which is a feature rather than a limitation. The band plays at a volume that allows conversation between songs, which means you can actually talk to your dining companions and appreciate the food. When the right song plays and the mood strikes, you can join the singing. When it doesn't, you can continue your conversation uninterrupted. For a relaxed dinner with background music and the option to engage when the moment calls for it, Ima Dana hits the mark precisely.
The Neighborhood
Ima Dana sits at Skadarska 38, toward the lower end of the Skadarlija strip. It's slightly quieter than the venues clustered around the Tri Sesira and Dva Jelena intersection, which contributes to its more relaxed atmosphere.
Getting There
Walk from Republic Square along Skadarska street, about 7 minutes. Ima Dana is past the main cluster of kafanas, on the left side of the street.
Address
Skadarska 38
Other Venues in Skadarlija
Tri Sesira
One of Skadarlija's oldest and most famous kafanas, operating since 1864. Live music fills the multi-room interior nightly, and the traditional Serbian menu covers all the classics from cevapi to karadjordjeva snicla.
Dva Jelena
A grand kafana with a reputation for its grilled meats and boisterous atmosphere. The upstairs dining room has a terrace overlooking the street, and the musicians here play until the last guests leave.
Sesir Moj
A more intimate kafana tucked into a courtyard off the main street. The smaller space creates a louder, more intense atmosphere when the music starts, and the rakija selection is among Skadarlija's best.
Zlatni Bokal
A wine-focused kafana with an extensive Serbian wine list and a quieter atmosphere than its neighbors. The grilled fish menu sets it apart from the meat-heavy competition, and the courtyard garden offers a retreat from the street's energy.