Best Traditional Macedonian Restaurants in Skopje

more than a year ago

Macedonians are known as great gourmets, to be honest, the same can be said for the rest of the Balkans, as well. They take great pride in their food and the ways in which it’s prepared, that is why it tastes so good. The ‘must tries’ in Macedonia are definitely Tavče-gravče and mastika, but to really experience Macedonian cuisine, you need specific ambience, not just authentic food, that is why we’ve decided to pick some of the best places for it.

Čardak

Another quality restaurant on one of the most bustling little streets in Skopje, the waiters here must run the equivalent of a marathon on Friday and Saturday evenings such is the popularity of this place and the top notch food that’s prepared in the kitchen. The excellent grilled meat is served on wooden boards to add to the general rustic theme of the place and there’s regular live music featuring a range of usually very good and entertaining musicians. It was founded in 1963, it takes back in time with its delicious traditional food and pleasant music. They are especially famous for their traditional pies.

Skopski Merak

A timeless Debar Maalo favourite combining the very best qualities of traditional Macedonian cuisine and modern culinary practices, this is one of our favourite places for emptying our wallets and filling our stomachs in Skopje. The menu is heavy on grilled meat dishes, although there’s plenty of other options available to keep all diners happy. If you happen to be reading this and spring is in the air, we recommend their terrace complete with sweet-smelling flowers.

The House

The House of Wines is inside the city’s The House restaurant and is the first wine place in Macedonia offering wine safes intended for all wine lovers. It’s also the only place in Skopje where it’s possible to taste five selected Macedonian wine types of the house or, for extreme wine lovers, six of the most famous and most expensive wines produced in the. Especially interesting is the Secret Dinner Party inside their special Privet Room in which visitors are offered a 30-day experience packed into just four hours and where an unforgettable seasonal traditional dinner is prepared by the most famous chefs in Macedonia, all accompanied by the most popular wines and rakija.

Makedonska Kukja

This is the definition of traditional restaurant, and both its interior and the food speak volumes about this place. It's filled with authentic objects and souvenirs from Macedonian culture, some of which are more than a century old. The menu is full of various meat dishes from these parts, all prepared in a traditional way, and all tasting extraordinary.

Kafana Debar Maalo

If you are looking for a traditional experience while in Skopje, Kafana Debar Maalo is just the place. The word kafana is used in the Balkans to describe a traditional restaurant, in every aspect, including local food, venue and even music, which is mostly live and acoustic. Since Macedonians are gourmets, you'll get the chance to try some of the finest specialities in the region. It can get quite busy, so be prepared to wait a bit for your food.

Dukat

Another Skopje favourite that often involves being carried to the car after eating here, this fine Macedonian establishment is always busy for a good reason and is definitely worth the trek to the western suburbs to enjoy its many pleasures. Featuring amiable waiters who wish only to bring yet another armload of dishes to your table, if you’re on a diet (and you might have to be after reviving yourself with an espresso), try the čiorba (sour soup), served in hanging copper pots with lashings of fresh white bread.

Antica

With nice and helpful staff, always smiling and ready to help, and tasty traditional food, Antica is very popular among locals. In the summer there is a lovely garden in front of the place, and the winter months bring a somewhat crozier atmosphere of the indoors. The dishes are few but carefully selected, so you can't go wrong whatever you select.

Lyra

Located in one of the current hot spots in town a short taxi ride from the city centre, Lyra is a fine traditional restaurant that’s been keeping the locals wined, dined and pleasantly happy for over two decades. As well as an impressive menu positively stuffed with great dishes from appetisers to fish to mouth-watering grilled meat, there’s a nice selection of desserts plus of course plenty of local wine to keep everyone boisterous. When the weather’s good, the terrace is especially pleasing, plus there’s quality live music from time to time.

Korner Baba Cana

Excellent service, extremely affordable prices and delicious food to match set Korner Baba Cana out as one of the best places in town to gorge oneself silly. Very popular despite the location a fair way out of the city centre, we recommended you arrive with an empty stomach and an open mind and ask a waiter to prepare you lots of different dishes to share with friends. Although we could easily live on their salads and sausages, you might like to try a few other things on the menu.

Nacional

As the name suggests, you already know what to expect here. With traditional Macedonian cuisine, the restaurant is especially popular for their great variety of soups that locals adore - possibly the largest choice in the city. But don’t stick to only soup, there are other dishes that are equally tasty. A pleasant homey atmosphere prevails here.