what to eat in north macedonia

Enjoy the culinary journey as you enjoy food from North Macedonia.

Whether you’re just visiting the capital city of Skopje or discovering much more of North Macedonia, you’ll enjoy what culinary delights await you. Don’t miss this delicious food from Macedonia.

What to Eat in North Macedonia

1) Borek

This traditional pastry is made with layers of phyllo and different fillings. Typical fillings for borek include cheese, spinach and minced meat. Many people use spiced minced meat with onion and peppers.

This yummy snack is available all day and night from small bakeries and shops which can be found everywhere.

Locals typically eat Borek with a small drinking yoghurt. 

what to eat in north macedonia borek pastries
Borek pastries are my favourite snack food in Macedonia. Especially good when they’ve come straight from the oven.

2) Palacinki

Much like a very thin pancake or crepe, palacinki is ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It can be served with both sweet and savoury fillings.

Most popular fillings are sugar & lemon, poppy seeds, jam, honey, feta cheese, or even melted cheese with mushrooms and ham.

palacinki what to eat in north macedonia
Food from Macedonia is so good! Palacinki are delicious served with sweet or savoury filling- This has to be on our list of what to eat in North Macedonia.

3) Tulumba – Fried pastry with syrup

A delicious dessert you cannot miss. Tulumba is a dough that is cut into small bite-sized pieces, deep-fried, and soaked in syrup.

These tasty little snacks are eaten cold, ideal alongside tea or strong coffee.

food in macedonia tulumba
What to eat in North Macedonia with some fresh tea or coffee? Tulumba is the answer. Food from Macedonia doesn’t get much better than these sticky sweets.

4) Polneti Piperki – Stuffed Peppers

Also known as stuffed peppers, these are also one of my favourite dishes in Europe. The peppers are stuffed with rice, onions, and spiced minced meat, then baked in an oven.

This dish is great on its own or served with a salad and fresh bread.

food from macedonia stuffed peppers
Stuffed Peppers. Food from Macedonia that is quite simple to cook, but boasts loads of flavour. Add this one to your search for what to eat in North Macedonia

5) Ćevapi

The aroma of Ćevapi cooking over an open grill is unmissable. If there is one thing you’re choosing what to eat in North Macedonia, it’s Ćevapi. Essentially minced beef and pork, they look like small sausages.

Eat cevapi with flatbread, red pepper sauce (ajvar), and shopska salad. Eating Ćevapi here reminds me of the delicious cooking class I did in Belgrade, Serbia.

Cevapi what to eat in north macedonia
Cevapi is typical Macedonian food – or even food from the Balkans region. Funny name, but one of the most popular food from Macedonia that you cannot miss.

6) Tavce Gravce – North Macedonian Style Baked Beans

Locals love this dish – Easy to prepare using beans and a few other ingredients including garlic, Balkan chilli’s, paprika, onion, and dried mint.

You can enjoy ‘tavce gravce’ as a side dish to any meal, or as a meal on its own.

Enjoy it with a side salad, sprinkled with feta or sheep cheese, and a loaf of North Macedonian crusty bread.

what to eat in north macedonia
North Macedonian Baked Beans – The home-style food from Macedonia that you will fall in love with.

7) Kozinjak – North Macedonian Sweet Bread

Kozinjak is a North Macedonian traditional homemade sweet bread with raisins, usually prepared in the shape of a braid.

Eat it on its own or with a good helping of butter or jam.

It’s popular around holiday time, including Christmas and Easter.

what to eat in north macedonia
What to eat in North Macedonia? Sweet Bread is a good choice. Baked food from Macedonia is always wonderful

8) Sarma – Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

This is another one of my favourites! Cabbage filled with rice, meat, and spices. Often prepared in large quantities and eaten for several days afterwards. If you ask me, it’s always better the next day.

Enjoy with a dollop of sour cream or yoghurt on the side. Delicious! Sarma is also eaten in several other countries in Europe.

The best Sarma I’ve ever eaten was in Transnistria, the little known disputed territory in Europe. 

Did you know that North Macedonia features on our list of the 10 Cheapest countries to visit in Europe.

Sarma what to eat in north Macedonia
A very popular food from Macedonia. Sarma is my most loved meal on my list of what to eat in North Macedonia.

Have I made you hungry? Does learning about the food from Macedonia inspire you to visit? If you do plan to travel here, don’t forget to visit Lake Ohrid, the highlight of our travels in North Macedonia.

Travel Tips

We use Skyscanner to book the best deals around Europe and beyond. Check out our Ultimate Food Map of Europe and our post about the foods worth travelling to Europe for.

After you’ve visited North Macedonia, you may be heading toward Athens in Greece. If so, our post on what to do in Athens in one day is the perfect itinerary for seeing the best parts of this city.

Oh, and don’t forget to try a few of my recommended places to eat in Athens.

And if you’re wondering whether you can make a vacation to Greece really happen, our Greece in two weeks itinerary for any budget has tips to make it a reality.

If you’re interested in our advice on the best travel websites to save money, awesome travel gear, and products we love, then head to our Travel Resources Page.