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Restaurant

The Cevapi Project

Dhanga Djeembana Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 73 people

Updated

Find The Cevapi Project

Dhanga Djeembana Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Cevapi Project

Steps from Queen Victoria Market, The Cevapi Project grills authentic Balkan soul food seasoned with real smoke and deep Sarajevo roots. Regulars drop in for the sizzling ćevapi—juicy inside with charred crusts—tucked into fluffy, house-baked somun with diced onions, kajmak, and roasted ajvar. Counter plates come loaded alongside flaky beef or cheese burek, and a deli fridge stocks sliced sudzuk to take home.

  • House-Baked Bread: Flatbreads are baked fresh on-site for service to soak up juices straight from the grill.
  • Take-Home Mezza: The front counter stocks smoked meats like sudzuk and packaged mezza to carry out.
  • Classic Balkan Spreads: Plates arrive hot with traditional sides of diced onions, kajmak, and roasted red pepper ajvar.
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What's On at The Cevapi Project

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose The Cevapi Project

Discover why diners head to Queen Victoria Market for authentic grilled ćevapi, freshly baked lepinja, and genuine hospitality.

  • Authentic Balkan Wood-Charred Meats & Sides

    Ćevapi and pljeskavica are grilled to order with deep smoky char and juiciness, served alongside traditional ajvar and house kajmak.

    the cevapi, pljeskavica, BBQ sausage, and beef burek were all absolutely spot on. You can really tell everything is made fresh. The sides of kajmak and ajvar were delicious and paired perfectly with the mains

    JC

  • Fresh In-House Baked Lepinja Bread

    Lepinja and somun flatbreads are baked fresh in-house for each service, delivering warm, fluffy textures that soak up savory meat juices.

    The owner confirmed that the bread is baked in house and it tastes like it just came out of the oven.

    James Schlunke

  • Hearty Queen Victoria Market Lunch Spot

    Located right along Dhanga Djeembana Walk by Queen Victoria Market, it serves fast, hearty, and satisfying hot meals for market shoppers and neighborhood workers.

    Absolute cracker of a lunch! If you’re around Queen Vic Market, this place is a must.

    Adam Duster

  • Take-Home Deli Mezza & Cured Meats

    Beyond the hot grill, the counter stocks packaged specialty Balkan provisions and smoked mezza like sudzuk for customers to take home.

    They even have mezza for you to take home. We bought the esky just for it. Mezza is beautiful!!!

    Frank & Melissa Bartulovic

  • Immersive Balkan Sights, Sounds & Heritage Dishes

    With regional Balkan melodies playing and meals served on heritage metal platters, the setting immerses diners in the atmosphere of Sarajevo.

    The burek was freshly made straight out of their kitchen with a generous amount of cheese filling, crispy pastry and the yogurt was homemade too! With Balkan music playing in the background and the owner’s hospitality, this has been a 10/10 experience.

    Desiree

  • Warm, Welcoming Balkan Hospitality

    Guests are met with genuine warmth and personal care from the owner and team, creating an inviting space where regulars and newcomers feel at home.

    The owner is super friendly and makes you feel like an old friend.

    Chen

Authentic grilled Balkan meats and freshly baked house specialties

  • Ćevapi

    The cevapi were juicy, flavourful, and cooked to perfection, with fresh bread and delicious traditional sides.

    Fadi Sh

  • Burek

    The burek was freshly made straight out of their kitchen with a generous amount of cheese filling, crispy pastry

    Desiree

  • Pljeskavica

    The Pljeskavica was massive and had that perfect smoky char, and the lepinja bread was fresh and fluffy—just right for soaking everything up.

    Adam Duster

  • Mother in Law

    If you're the one who really into ham, I'd strongly recommend trying their Mother in Law. So much meat for just $22, it's a real bargain.

    Gabrielle G

Other favorites

Traditional condiments, regional dairy, and take-home cured meats

  • Kajmak

    The sauces are the highlight, especially the kajmak, which is incredibly smooth and rich.

    Chen

  • Ajvar

    I got the Origigi with Ajvar and I have to say it was the best Cevapi, Somun and Ajvar I’ve ever had.

    Christian Stellas

  • Sudzuk

    We also bought some sudzuk and that was also very nice.

    Biljana Radicic

  • Yogurt

    the yogurt was homemade too!

    Desiree

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful cultural and hospitality touches that elevate dining at The Cevapi Project

  • Personal Welcomes and Hospitality Gestures

    The owner and front team actively engage patrons with hospitable welcomes and personal hospitality, frequently offering complimentary extras such as house ajvar, kajmak, or fresh flatbread.

  • Traditional Tableware and Regional Beverage Accents

    Meals for dine-in guests are presented on traditional metal platters, accompanied by regional beverage touches like imported Fructal juice and optional authentic yogurt.

  • Immersive Regional Soundtrack

    Balkan music plays softly in the background to transport guests straight to the atmosphere of Sarajevo and Bosnia during their dining experience.

  • Take-Home Mezza and Cured Meats

    Beyond hot grilled platters, visitors can browse and purchase cold-case take-home mezza and cured meats like sudzuk packed conveniently for takeaway.

Before you head over

Practical tips for timing your visit and getting the best Balkan grill experience near Queen Victoria Market.

  • Allow Extra Time During Peak Market Hours

    Meats and in-house breads are grilled to order, which can cause waits during busy market periods. Plan for a relaxed meal rather than a rushed bite.

  • Come Early for Fresh Burek

    The popular borek and freshly baked breads sell fast. Arriving earlier in the day ensures you get fresh batches before daily supplies run out.

  • Complete Your Plate with Kajmak and Ajvar

    Pair your grilled cevapi or pljeskavica with traditional house sides like kajmak, ajvar, and optional imported regional juices to get the complete Balkan meal.

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