In our new column Meet a local we present interesting individuals from different professional fields living in Belgrade. The idea is to get to know some locals and their favorite neighborhoods and venues in the city.

Please introduce yourself to our readers:

Hello, my name is Ljubomir Jevtović, I am a father, an archaeologist and a research assistant at the Archaeological Institute of Belgrade.

Has there been a new project lately?

Currently, I am excavating the ruins of ancient Roman city of Viminacium. Just a couple of months ago we finished research of the only known amphitheater in the territory of modern day Serbia, and started the research of a huge military camp next to it. The camp belonged to one of the oldest and highly regarded Roman legions – Legio VII Claudia. It was assembled in Italy by Julius Caesar, came to Viminacium in I century CE and stayed there for nearly 400 years. In addition to trying to become a legionnaire, I am finishing my PhD thesis on the ancient Roman brick and tile industries.

What do you like about Belgrade?

THE VIBE! Belgrade, despite its 2+ millennia old history, has a youthful spirit. Its rich and turbulent past is visible on its streets, but also on the faces of its inhabitants. Still the city is brimming with life. Streets, cafes, theaters, museums or clubs are never empty, packed with interesting, beautiful, hospitable and kind people. To sum it up, as one poet said about Belgrade: the time stands still, and it lives with a heart forever young!

Where do you like to go out?

Everywhere, Belgrade never lacks places to go. For me, the best thing is to mix it up, and let the night lead you. You can start the evening at a punk concert, and end up at the rave after party, or even worse, a matinée.

Name 3 of your favorite restaurants in the city?

I prefer eating street food, and my favorite choice is pizza with beef or chicken salad at Bucko’s! But, if I had to choose the best restaurants in Belgrade, I would pick Pomodoro, or Lorenzo & Kakalamba if you are looking for Italian food and ambient, Gušti Mora for seafood, Šabački Slatinac for the best ćevapčići in town, or Stara Hercegovina, notorious for its bad service and the best ham hock in this part of Europe.

Where do you drink coffee?

Anywhere, but if I am lucky at KOFFEIN.

Where do you spend your leisure time?

Usually chilling with friends at Belgrade fortress, on the riverbanks at 25th May or in the old city of Zemun.

Name your 3 favorite locations in Belgrade and justify your choice.

Dorćol – the oldest part of urban Belgrade, in the past decades known as the toughest neighborhood in the city, and nowadays famous for its special charm. Place that has a medieval fortress Kalemegdan, best part of the Belgrade’s riverbank and home to some of the city’s best cafes, restaurants and clubs. More importantly, for me, place where I grew up and started many long lasting friendships.

Tašmajdanski Park is a great place to hang out and chill enjoying the outdoors. During summer there is a great swimming pool, and during the winter days, the old stadium becomes an ice skating rink.

Zemun, the old part of Belgrade, although most locals would say that it is a completely separate entity. With a lot of  XIX century architecture, Zemun is a truly representative central European city, and a great place for evening walks. Its beautiful Danube bank is often occupied by flocks of swans, and there are a lot of great river fish restaurants, like Šaran and Venecija, to name a few. In the summertime you can cross military pontoon bridge and take a swim on the Great War Island, one of the largest islands on the Danube and also one of the largest bird reservates in this part of Europe.