Zlatne Kapi LLC - St. Louis, Missouri

Barbara ?.

Delicious! Highly recommend. We ordered Cevapcici, grilled chicken sandwich, and two different stews. All perfect and we took leftovers home. Bread included with meals. We also had coffee and got baklava to go. Can't recommend this place enough! Next time I'm calling a few days in advance and ordering catering. The owner is so nice.

Kevin X.

Re-assessment September 2024
Just came back from a trip to Bosnia. This place would stand out as a top bakery there. Probably tried over a dozen highly rated bakeries in the Balkan region and I think Zlatne would still come out on top 👏

Original comments-
Do you ever find yourself making detours around town just to find yourself near an eatery that you love? Or setting calendar alerts for when a local baker returns back from Bosnia because the 3 weeks they were gone felt like an eternity? Even after traveling extensively to eat, I don’t think there’s a place in NYC, San Francisco, or Miami that has the quality of pastries that Zlatne has.

Move over James Beard- This bakery is REVELATORY, and I am surprised by how Zlatne flies under the mainstream food radar here in STL, though it is clearly famous in the Bosnian community.

Beta (the owner) is a master chef, kind and generous soul, and ALL AROUND BAKING GODDESS. She makes Bosnian pastries with the highest quality ingredients. Beta goes easy on the butter, syrup, and sugar, lending her layered cakes a light, airy, and ethereally delicate flavor. You can tell that she makes everything from scratch, including the egg-based cloud-like cream that melts in your mouth . Her chocolate coconut truffles (Beta calls it the “Bole”/ “bowl?” [sp]) are divine. The baclava, apple pastries, and walnut cakes are literally out of this world. The meaning of dessert was redefined when I had Beta’s cakes. One of the fun things about Zlatne is how the spread of desserts is always evolving, depending on Beta’s schedule, mood, whims etc. You never know what she’ll be baking on Saturday, and I always look forward to surprises when I make trips to Zlatne. Sometimes she adds splashes of rum to her cakes in the most surprising yet subtle way. Other times she’ll have tiramisu, cream pies, and banana loaves that she otherwise doesn’t make.

Beta is also the sweetest human being and knows her regular customers’ taste preferences by memory. She also baked for our wedding and was generous enough to bake an ENTIRE extra wedding cake for free. (Even the most intoxicated guests remembered Beta’s desserts and raved about them.) Another example- she might sneak in a free Bosnian coffee or gyro when you visit out of her hospitality

I think this is the best bakery in STL and possibly the best bakery I’ve experienced ever.

For first timers— If you’re making a trip, Beta has the most cakes on Saturdays. They are also the most fresh on weekends. Otherwise you might not get the full mind blowing variety

Tana

This was a wonderful experience! The food was delicious and plentiful. We were very full but didn't feel gross afterwards (though I did need a take-home box). The baklava I didn't even get a picture of but it was easily the best baklava I've ever had. Delicious, nutty, just enough syrupy sweetness that really permeated through the whole thing. I got some to go as well because one wasn't enough! And the coffee was really different from what I've had before---strong and intense but the sugar cube sweetness created a nice contrast.

I really liked the atmosphere too with its large windows facing the street and a few nice tables. Oh and the plates were really charming. I never care about plates but this just felt nice, like going to your favorite aunt's for dinner or just sweets.

Overall it was absolutely delicious and I will definitely be coming back.

Leslie S.

Normally I just have the sweets here, but today I decided on lunch. Just a simple plate of cevapi, but it was pretty extraordinary. Perfectly cooked cevapi (10 of them!) on a whole Lepinje that had been toasted on the grill before the sausages were added - so the middle was warm, but the edges were crispy and heavenly.

If you’ve never had Lepinje bread, you don’t know what you’re missing - it is one of the most flavorful, chewy, springy, stretchy, fantastic types of bread I’ve ever eaten. And this was no exception.

The Bosnian coffee was a delight, and it was served beautifully (see the pic!). They give you a sugar cube to put in the bottom of your tiny cup and pour the coffee over. The grounds of the coffee float to the top, so that’s what comes out of your little pitcher first, but they eventually sink to the bottom, and it is a nice strong cup of coffee.

I also added a piece of their baklava, and it was all the flaky, nutty syrupy goodness you could ever want.

The lady running the place was friendly and helpful as always, and also as always, the place was bright and clean, including the bathroom!

Today was Monday, and, I guess because they are closed on Tuesday, the bakery case was empty. They did have the baklava in the back, for which I was thankful, but your best bet, if you are looking for sweets, is to go Wednesday through Sunday. But they always have the savory goods, so don’t skip this place on any day! Well, except on Tuesday, when they’re closed.

Elvisa M.

A hidden gem you absolutely must try! We will never get cakes anywhere else! We have been buying sweets here for years. Delicious massive cakes for prices that will blow your mind! They also serve coffee and pastries. Catering available. We go in once a week for cevapi and they’re the best in town!! She will remember you and love you every time you come in!

Mimi Q.

Super delicious hazelnut cake I ordered it for my husband’s birthday and it was so good! Much appreciated 🙌🏼

Angelizm

AMAZING SANDWICHES!!! Served on Lepinje bread (similar to a cross between a croissant & an English muffin), it was crispy & light. We got 1 with gyro & the other, cevapi. Both were delicious! (I really liked the flavor of the gyro tho) Next time, we will try the pljeskavica (spiced meat patty of beef, pork, & lamb). This little restaurant is worth the long drive!

Now where can I get more of this Lepinje bread…? 🤔

Marlisa K. C.

This is the most amazing, warm, friendly cafe in the neighborhood. Bedita was so kind to us. The Bosnian coffee was authentic and delicious. The baklava was better than any I’ve had IN Bosnia. In a neighborhood where many authentically Bosnian restaurants have closed this is a real gem. Don’t miss the butcher shop next door!