Not your everyday coffee in a Serbia cafe. Enjoy it in the company of alpacas

STAJICEVO, Serbia — A café in northern Serbia now features a surprising clientele: six alpacas.

These South American animals—of varying size and color—wander freely across the tables of the Tiganjica Ethno‑Village resort near Stajicevo, northern Belgrade, greeting every visitor.

The Alpaca Café launched just one week earlier and remains a rare novelty across Europe. Owner Zoran Ostojin explained that the concept originated during a visit to Slovakia.

“My wife and I experienced an Alpaca café in Slovakia that captured our interest, so we hoped to give Serbs a chance to learn about these gentle creatures and experience their vitality,” Ostojin explained to The Associated Press.

Alpacas are renowned for their calm temperament and approachable nature. Though related to llamas and camels, these compact animals are prized for their plush fleece and the soft, rhythmic hum they emit to convey messages.

The Tiganjica residents happily join guests—especially tourists on organized excursions—to explore and share companionship with the animals.

A set of house rules is posted nearby. Visitors are instructed never to approach the alpacas from behind nor offer them personal foods; instead, they receive small containers filled with carrots, lettuce, and apples.

Advance bookings are required, and admission costs roughly €10 ($11.35) per person, covering a beverage and a bowl of alpaca‑friendly snacks.

Careful monitoring shows each of the six beings has a distinct personality; the shaggy black individual Ljubica tends to be aloof, whereas the petite Snezana assumes leadership role despite her small stature.

>«They respond keenly to human intent, moving away when threatened but approaching eagerly when offered kindness.» Frangi added to the discussion.

Beyond the café, Ostojin operates a modest zoo on his property, complemented by an onsite restaurant and garden estate. He recalled that the venture began when he and his brother rescued injured wildlife as children.

The inaugural alpaca arrived as a gift from the Belgrade Zoo nearly ten years ago, and Ostojin spoke of how deeply he admired this creature’s vibrant energy and emotional resonance.

«I likened their impact to a subtle form of therapy, noting that they seem to soothe and heal,» he remarked.

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