Balkan Grind

Balkan Grind is a Montenegrin-inspired cafe on Withers Street in Williamsburg, opened on November 1, 2024, by siblings Valentino and Mirijana Ujkic. Born in a small village in Tuzi, Montenegro, the Ujkic siblings spent over a decade as restaurant owners and operators and private chefs in New York before channeling their heritage into a cafe concept unlike anything else in the neighborhood. The interior was self-built by the owners and adorned with hand-chosen wares — cups, plates, and decor specifically curated to recreate the feeling of being in the "old country." Every detail reflects a deeply personal connection to Montenegrin culture, from the warm, inviting atmosphere to the traditional preparation methods behind the counter. Balkan Grind specializes in authentic cezve-brewed Turkish coffee — what many consider the world's oldest coffee brewing method. Specially roasted beans are ground to an ultra-fine consistency and prepared individually in a dzezva, a traditional long-handled copper pot, ensuring that each cup is brewed to order rather than batch-produced. This deliberate, one-at-a-time approach yields a rich, aromatic coffee experience that is increasingly rare in the age of automated espresso machines. The food menu is equally rooted in Balkan tradition. Handmade burek — the iconic flaky pastry of the Balkans — is available with fillings including sheep's milk feta, bacon, and braised short rib with ajvar. The sweets case features baklava, cherry strudel, and petulla, a traditional Balkan fried dough similar to Italian zeppoli. Seasonal specials have included Anson Mills heirloom cornbread with honey butter and jam, North Fork apple crumb pie, and heirloom carrot cake with six-spice cream cheese frosting. Balkan Grind has been featured in Greenpointers, Lux Cafe Club, and The Infatuation, and stands as one of the most distinctive and culturally rich additions to the Williamsburg coffee scene.