Comunale Caffè e Cucina

A Riverside Italian That Earns Its Michelin Plate — Twice

If you are planning an evening in Belgrade that starts at the table and ends somewhere near the waterfront with a well-made cocktail in hand, Comunale Caffè e Cucina at Beton Hala is the right call. It is a particularly good fit for food-focused travellers who want a credible Italian kitchen, a setting that rewards lingering, and the kind of drinks list that justifies staying past dinner. The Michelin Plate recognition in both 2024 and 2025 confirms this is not a tourist trap dressed up with a river view — it is a kitchen that meets a meaningful quality threshold.

The Space

Beton Hala is a strip of whitewashed former customs warehouses running along the Sava riverbank beneath Belgrade Fortress, and Comunale occupies one of the more architecturally considered spots in the row. The venue is owned by an architect, and that shows: the interior carries a sleek, deliberate aesthetic that most of its neighbours on this strip do not attempt. When the weather is on your side, the waterside terrace is where you want to be , the fortress rising behind you, the river in front, and enough ambient light to read a menu without squinting. Inside, the whitewashed walls and considered layout give the room a calmer, more intentional feel than the sprawling riverside spots that surround it. It works for two people who want to talk, and it scales reasonably well for a small group. The space does not feel intimate in the way a twelve-seat counter does, but it avoids the cavernous impersonality of Belgrade's larger riverside venues.

The Kitchen

The menu reads as purebred Italian with a traditional backbone: tagliatelle al ragù, bruschetta, tiramisu, and a selection of pizzas. This is not a kitchen experimenting with Italian-Balkan fusion or chasing novelty , the focus is on executing familiar recipes with care. That is a deliberate and defensible position. In a city where modern cuisine restaurants are multiplying fast (see Langouste and Salon 1905 for the higher-end creative direction), Comunale fills a different slot: accessible, honest Italian cooking at a price point that keeps the evening low-stakes financially. The Michelin Plate signal matters here , it indicates cooking that meets a benchmark for quality without requiring a tasting-menu budget to verify it.

For context on how Italian cooking at this level compares globally, the gap between a Michelin Plate Italian in Belgrade and, say, Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles or 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong is significant , but so is the price. What Comunale offers is solid Italian craft at a fraction of those price points, in a setting that adds genuine atmosphere. If you want to see what Italian cooking looks like when it travels to unexpected cities and does it well, also worth noting are cenci in Kyoto, PRISMA in Tokyo, and Il Ristorante-Niko Romito in Dubai , each operating in a different register but sharing the same logic of serious Italian cooking outside Italy.

After Dinner: The Drinks Program

This is where Comunale separates itself from most of its Beton Hala neighbours and where the late-night angle becomes relevant. The spirits list is notably wide, with a particular depth in gin, and the cocktail and mocktail selection is serious enough to make staying on after dinner a genuine option rather than an afterthought. If your group is split between those who want to eat well and those who primarily want to drink well, Comunale handles both without compromise. For a riverside spot in the € price bracket, that breadth is uncommon. It makes the venue a credible choice for a full evening rather than just the dinner hour , arrive for the tagliatelle, stay for the Negroni.

Belgrade's bar scene has strong dedicated options (see our full Belgrade bars guide for specifics), but if you want to avoid venue-hopping and stay where you are, Comunale's drinks program makes that a comfortable decision. The terrace, in particular, works well into the evening when the fortress is lit and the river traffic has thinned.

Ratings and Recognition

Comunale holds a 4.6 rating across 2,029 Google reviews , a high volume for a Belgrade restaurant, which adds statistical weight to the score. The dual Michelin Plate (2024 and 2025) confirms consistent kitchen quality year over year. These are not minor signals: at the € price point, this level of sustained recognition is meaningful and positions Comunale as one of the more reliably good options on the Beton Hala strip.

Booking and Logistics

Booking is easy by Belgrade standards, and Comunale does not require the advance planning of higher-demand venues like Langouste. The riverside location at Karađorđeva 2-4 is accessible from central Belgrade, and the Beton Hala waterfront is a known destination , getting there is not complicated. Hours are not confirmed in the data, so check ahead if you are planning a late arrival. When the sun is out, the terrace fills; aim for an early evening slot on warm days if you want the leading riverside seat. For the broader Belgrade dining picture, our full Belgrade restaurants guide gives context on where Comunale sits in the city's range. Also worth knowing: our Belgrade hotels guide and experiences guide are useful for building out the rest of a trip.

Other Belgrade options worth knowing for different occasions: Bela Reka for traditional Serbian cooking, Corso and Cveće Zla for different atmospheres, and Fleur de Sel in Novi Slankamen if you are willing to travel for something more destination-worthy. For Italian cooking in other cities, Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder and Octavium in Hong Kong represent the format at higher price points.

The Verdict

Book Comunale if you want a Michelin-recognised Italian kitchen on one of Belgrade's leading riverside settings, a drinks program strong enough to anchor the whole evening, and a bill that stays comfortably in the € range. It is the right answer for a warm evening with good company, and the late-night drinks case makes it more flexible than a typical dinner-only recommendation.

Quick Reference

Beton Hala, Karađorđeva 2-4, Belgrade. Italian, € price range. Michelin Plate 2024 and 2025. Google rating 4.6 (2,029 reviews). Easy to book. Riverside terrace, architect-designed interior, strong gin and cocktail list.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Comunale Caffè e Cucina good for a special occasion? Yes, with caveats. The riverside terrace setting, Michelin Plate recognition, and strong cocktail program make it a genuinely atmospheric choice for a celebratory dinner. At the € price point, it will not feel like a splurge occasion in the way that Langouste or Salon 1905 might, but the combination of setting, consistent quality, and a serious drinks list gives it real occasion potential, especially on a warm evening with a terrace seat.
• Does Comunale Caffè e Cucina handle dietary restrictions? The menu includes pizza, pasta, and Italian standards, which gives reasonable flexibility for vegetarians. Specific dietary accommodation details are not confirmed in available data , contact the venue directly before visiting if allergies or restrictions are a concern. The kitchen's traditional Italian focus means gluten-free options may be limited.
• Is Comunale Caffè e Cucina good for solo dining? Reasonably so. At the € price point, the financial stakes are low, and an Italian menu of this type works well for a solo diner who wants a proper meal without committing to a tasting format. The bar and cocktail program also makes it comfortable to sit and drink without dining, which is useful for solo travellers. Belgrade has good solo-dining culture generally, and the Beton Hala setting is interesting enough to hold your attention.
• Can I eat at the bar at Comunale Caffè e Cucina? Bar seating specifics are not confirmed in available data. The venue has a noted cocktail and spirits program, so bar-side access is likely, but whether the full food menu is available at the bar is worth confirming when you book or arrive. Given the strong drinks list, the bar area is in any case worth knowing about as a late-evening option.
• Is Comunale Caffè e Cucina worth the price? At the € price bracket with a Michelin Plate and a 4.6 Google rating from over 2,000 reviews, yes , the value case here is clear. You are getting a quality-signalled Italian kitchen at one of Belgrade's better riverside spots for a price that makes the decision low-risk. The drinks list adds further value if you are staying for the evening rather than just dinner.
• Is the tasting menu worth it at Comunale Caffè e Cucina? The menu is not confirmed as a tasting format , Comunale runs a traditional Italian à la carte with pasta, pizza, and classic dishes. If you want a structured tasting experience in Belgrade, Langouste at €€€€ is the city's most ambitious option in that direction. Comunale's strength is honest Italian cooking in a great setting, not a chef's-menu format.
• What are alternatives to Comunale Caffè e Cucina in Belgrade? For higher-end creative cooking, Langouste (€€€€) is the top-tier choice. For a mid-range modern option, The Square (€€) offers contemporary French and modern cuisine at a step up in formality and price. Iva New Balkan Cuisine (€) is worth considering if you want to eat something rooted in the region rather than imported Italian. For Vietnamese at a similar price point, Istok (€) is Belgrade's most credible option in that category.