Macedonian food is hearty, seasonal and built around a few simple ingredients: peppers, beans, cheese, grilled meat and fresh bread. Ottoman, Balkan and Mediterranean influences all show up on the plate. Here are the traditional Macedonian dishes you should try in Skopje – and what to order with them.
In this guide (6)
Main dishes
Tavče gravče (baked beans)
The national dish: white beans baked in a clay pot (tavče) with onions, peppers and paprika until thick and smoky. It is served with bread as a main, or as a side with kebapi or sausages – and it’s a great option for vegetarians.
Kebapi
Small grilled sausages of minced meat, usually served in fives or tens with bread, raw onion and a spoon of ajvar. The best are found in the Old Bazaar’s grills.
Sarma
Cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice and spices, slowly simmered – classic winter food.
Pastrmajlija
A boat-shaped flatbread topped with chunks of cured or marinated meat and often an egg, baked in a wood-fired oven. It comes from Štip – see our Štip day trip for the original.
Kačamak
A thick cornmeal porridge, similar to polenta, popular in the countryside. It is served hot with butter, white cheese (sirenje), yogurt, or sausages and pickles on the side – perfect on a cold day.
Salads, spreads and starters
Shopska salad
Diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers covered in grated white cheese. Every meal in Macedonia starts with one.
Ajvar
The most loved preserve in the country: roasted red peppers (sometimes with aubergine) slowly cooked with oil into a smoky spread. In autumn whole neighbourhoods smell of roasting peppers as families make jars for the winter. It ranges from mild to hot and goes with bread, cheese and grilled meat.
Pinjur
A lighter spread of roasted tomatoes, peppers and garlic – great with fresh bread and white cheese.
Burek
Flaky filo pastry filled with cheese, minced meat or spinach – the classic Skopje breakfast with a glass of drinking yogurt.
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Desserts and drinks
Baklava and Ottoman sweets
Layers of filo, chopped nuts and syrup. The Old Bazaar’s traditional sweet shops also sell tulumbi and kadaif.
Rakija and mastika
Rakija is the local fruit brandy, usually made from grapes, served with salads at the start of a meal. Mastika is an anise-flavoured spirit. Both are strong – sip slowly.
Macedonian wine
North Macedonia has a long wine tradition. Try the local red Vranec or the white Smederevka; to taste them at the source, visit the Tikveš wine region.
Where to try traditional Macedonian food in Skopje
- Old Bazaar – kebapi, burek and Ottoman sweets.
- Debar Maalo – traditional taverns (kafeani) with live music.
- Macedonian Village on Vodno – a rustic setting for slow-cooked dishes; see our Macedonian Village guide.
Find specific places in our guide to the best restaurants in Skopje, check typical prices in the Skopje travel cost guide, and learn how to order with our basic Macedonian phrases.
Where to Stay for Food Lovers
For a food-focused trip, stay in or near Debar Maalo – the neighbourhood with the highest density of restaurants, cafés and bars, a 10-minute walk from Macedonia Square.
- Park Hotel & Spa – by the Vardar about 1 km from the centre, close to City Park.
- Solun Hotel & Spa – a central hotel with a spa, a short walk from the main square.
Browse hotels in Debar Maalo, compare neighbourhoods in our Where to Stay in Skopje guide, or see our pick of the best hotels in Skopje.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of North Macedonia?
Tavče gravče – oven-baked beans in a clay pot – is widely considered the national dish.
Is Macedonian food good for vegetarians?
Yes – see our vegetarian and vegan guide. Tavče gravče, shopska salad, ajvar, pinjur, cheese burek and grilled vegetables are all meat-free.
What should I drink with Macedonian food?
A small glass of rakija with salad, then local wine such as Vranec with the main course.
