Banja Luka's restaurant scene is solidly Balkan: grilled meat (ćevapi, pljeskavica, ražnjići), hearty stews, and the freshwater fish from the Vrbas. Prices are considerably lower than in Sarajevo or coastal Croatia, and the food is generally honest and filling.
The riverside promenade has the highest concentration of restaurants with terrace seating. The pedestrian zone (Gospodska Street) has a good mix of cafes and casual restaurants suitable for lunch. For a more local atmosphere, look for kafanas — traditional Bosnian taverns — in the side streets off the main drag.