our top 5 pies the world has to offer.
burek
Bosnia
What is it?
Possibly the world’s most delicious pie. Burek (also spelled börek) is a filo pastry pie that comes either as individual spiral portions or as large round pies cut like pizza. It’s flaky and greasy in the best way, and utterly moreish, the first time we tried it we loved it and, despite promising ourselves otherwise, ended up eating them far more often than any sensible person should admit. This style of pie is found across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Albania, with names and conventions varying by country. Crucially: in Bosnia and Herzegovina the name burek is reserved for the meat version; cheese, spinach and potato versions are called pita (pee‑tah). After trying them in every country we would say Bosnian burek is the benchmark.
What is in it?
Burek is made from multiple layers of thin pastry sheets brushed with oil, wrapped around a filling such as:
minced or ground beef (sometimes lamb or pork) mixed with onion and spices,
cheese
spinach and cheese
potato
pumpkin
Where can I eat it?
You’ll find burek and its cousins in virtually every bakery, across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in many places it’s a breakfast staple. For the real experience, seek out traditional buregdžinicas or older style bakeries where the filo is still handmade and stretched paper thin. In some modern bakeries, particularly in parts of Serbia and Croatia, you may come across versions made with puff pastry, easier to produce, but this is sacrilege compared to the authentic, flaky layers of proper burek.
Vegetarian versions available.
sausage roll
United Kingdom
What is it?
A sausage roll is a classic British savoury pastry that’s hard to resist, a simple but excellent take on a handheld pie and a bakery staple for a reason. It consists of seasoned sausage meat wrapped in flaky puff pastry and then baked. Enjoyed hot or cold and popular at a picnic, few things can beat a good sausage roll.
What is in it?
Pork sausage meat seasoned with herbs and spices, wrapped in puff pastry. Modern plant-based versions are also widely available.
Where can I eat it?
Sausage rolls are found almost everywhere in the UK, from bakeries and cafés to supermarkets and even petrol stations. One of the most iconic versions is sold at Greggs, the UK’s best known high street bakery chain, which offers both the classic hot pork sausage roll and a popular vegan version made with Quorn (a plant based filling) and dairy free pastry.
Vegan versions available.
samsa
Uzbekistan
What is it?
Samsa is a popular Uzbek pastry, enjoyed across Central Asia. Although its name comes from samosa, it is quite different from the famous Indian snack. Rather than being deep fried, samsa is baked in a tandoor or oven until the pastry turns golden and flaky, encasing a juicy, savoury filling.
What is in it?
Traditionally made with puff or layered dough, samsa is most often filled with minced meat (commonly lamb or beef) and onions, though variations with potato or pumpkin are also popular.
What is it?
You can find samsa almost everywhere in Uzbekistan, from street stalls and restaurants to bakeries. It’s especially popular as a quick roadside snack, best eaten hot and fresh.
Vegetarian versions available; usually dairy free.
pepper buns
Taiwan
What is it?
Pepper buns are baked pastries filled with seasoned pork and cooked in a cylindrical clay oven similar to a tandoor. The small pies are packed with flavour and use a large amounts of black pepper. As you might expect, they have a noticeably peppery taste, balanced by the pork and the sweetness of the dough. They have a crisp, slightly flaky exterior and a juicy filling that can be extremely hot, so they are best eaten with a little caution.
What is in it?
The pie is made from a yeasted wheat dough. The filling is made from minced or chopped pork, lots of black pepper, spring onions and soy sauce.
Where can I eat it?
Pepper buns are commonly found at night markets and street food stalls. They are particularly associated with Taipei; the most famous place to try them is Fuzhou Shizu Pepper Bun at Raohe Street Night Market, where the buns are baked in a traditional clay oven.
Dairy free.
steak and ale pie
United Kingdom
What is it?
Steak and ale pie is a British pub classic, made with tender chunks of beef slow cooked in a rich, dark ale gravy and encased in pastry. Savoury and comforting, it’s typically served with extra gravy alongside chips or mashed potatoes and a side of vegetables.
What is in it?
Made with chunks of beef slow cooked in a rich gravy flavoured with ale, onions, and often ingredients such as carrots, mushrooms, or herbs. The filling is encased in a pastry crust, usually made with shortcrust or puff pastry, although some versions have pastry only on top rather than completely surrounding the filling.
It is commonly served with extra gravy, along with mashed potatoes or chips and vegetables such as broccoli or peas
Where can I eat it?
It is a common pub classic found in a huge number of pubs throughout the UK, especially in England, and is also served in many restaurants. You shouldn’t have trouble finding a steak and ale pie in the UK.
Dairy free.
Ingredients listed reflect common or typical components of this dish as served in restaurants or street‑food vendors. Variations by region, season, or vendor are common. This information is provided for general reference only. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please verify ingredient details independently. We assume no liability for accuracy or outcomes.
