Few countries as small as Macedonia can offer you such a variety in food - citrus fruits, grapes and hazelnuts, tobacco, rice and mountain teas.

In our Skopje Restaurant Guide below you will find information about great places for eating out in Skopje, the perfect end to a day of shopping in Skopje. Relax and experience the exotic food and cuisine in Macedonia.

Food & Cuisine in Skopje

Skopje follows the same eating times as the rest of Europe. Breakfast or ‘doruchek' is in the morning, lunch or ‘ruchek' around 2 pm and dinner or ‘vechera' is after 6 pm. Meals tend to be drawn-out affairs where the food and drink are secondary to conversation and company. Restaurants in Skopje serve traditional Macedonian cuisine that can trace its ancestry to the Turkish and Slavic kitchens.

Skopje has a large presence of diplomats and international delegations. The local Skopje restaurants cater to this foreign community, with both continental and local fare at affordable prices. Whether it is the presence of the foreign community or a race to attract tourists, Skopje has a surprisingly large number of eateries and kebapci places, especially in the large open market. Food is by and large affordable at these places. The latest addition is the impressive supermarket in Ramstore.

Kick-start your day with a traditional Macedonian burek for breakfast, along with a glass of yogurt. Specialised restaurants serve this only in the morning while others have it round the clock. Once you are done with your sightseeing in Skopje, relax in the afternoon with a glass of delicious Macedonian wine and local cuisine.

Macedonian Cuisine

Macedonia is blessed with fertile soil. Over the centuries many civilisations have enjoyed the rich produce of its fertile soil. Macedonia has a long tradition of being a gastronome's delight. It has successfully avoided the negative influences of urbanisation and still remains the agricultural heartland of the Balkans. The land is filled with a wonderful variety of produce native to both Mediterranean and Central European climates.

Macedonia has an eclectic cuisine that represents the various Balkan fare - Turkish, Greek, Middle Eastern and Bulgarian influences are distinctly seen in Macedonian food. Some of the much sought after soup and salad starters are ‘Shopska' salad, which is flavoured hard eggs with capsicum, cheese and onions, and ‘Sutlijash', a soup of rice cooked in milk, lemon, eggs, sugar and butter. For the main course it is the ‘Sarma', a gravy preparation of rice, red and green capsicum, spices and onions. This is eaten with meat mixed in the same gravy.

You can find different varieties of kebabs because of the Turkish influence. Kebabs are available in almost every street. ‘Moussaka', aubergines and potatoes baked in layers with minced meat, is another easily available local dish. The national specialties in Macedonia are the delicious Ohrid trout and ‘gravce tavce' or beans in a skillet. Macedonian cooking uses a lot of spices thanks to the Turkish influence. On the whole, the food here is nourishing, wholesome and has an international influence infused with local flavours.

Macedonia produces very high quality grapes and hence is world famous for its wines. Some well known ones are Vranec, mellow Merlot and classic Cabernet Sauvignon. Many small boutique wineries in the country produce delectable red and white wines comparable to any European and American vintage. Macedonian vintners also produce fiery brandy known as rakija and mastica. These liquors from the breweries are enthusiastically guzzled by tourists and locals alike.

Tipping and Reservations at Restaurants

Tipping is expected in Macedonia. Generally 5 to 10% is sufficient. Reservations are required for Friday and Saturday nights. It is not generally necessary on weekdays.