Skopje’s food scene, for the lack of a better word, was surprising, in the best way possible. I had the best vegetarian burger of my life in this unique city, which also has one of the best pizzerias in all of Europe. Bureks, as always, hit the spot, and prices when eating out are seemingly cheaper than one can find elsewhere in the region. Join me as we explore some of the finest eateries Macedonia’s capital has to offer, one dish at a time.
Etmas Bakery – https://maps.app.goo.gl/dnQ1d7Shq51RftPq7
While one can find burek vendors all around the Balkans, many spots try to differentiate themselves by certain gimmicks if they can. The gimmick in the case of Etmas Bakery is an exceptionally controversial one. The friendly owner of this small establishment puts some plain burek inside a freshly baked bun topped with sesame seeds and calls it a day. This is not for the faint of heart, or for those who are gluten intolerant. You basically eat wheat in all of its many forms, and that is it. Since the ingredients are pretty high quality, and because the baked goods seem to be always fresh, the resulting dish, if one can call it that, is pretty tasty. I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy it. With that being said, I would prefer something more nutrient the next time I visit a bakery in Skopje, like a burek with some cheese in it…
Eski Bakery – https://maps.app.goo.gl/xsQuRj2JXyZtkwmc8
Supposedly the best burek in town can be had here, though I have something say about that. While the burek you can find here is in fact, quite tasty, it is far from being perfect. It was not so fresh when I had lunch there, which was unexpected, and while the filling was generous, the cheese they used paled in comparison to the ones I had in Kosovo. They do sell a small plate of burek for around a USD, so one cannot complain too much, but I think there are better bakeries around town, but perhaps not in the Old Town.
Silbo – https://maps.app.goo.gl/ksHHRSNuiYiGZr9r6
One of the better bakeries out there can be found after a small walk from the city center of Skopje. This institution called Silbo works around the clock, and always churns out some fresh baked goodies for its patrons. The burek here was the best one I had in Skopje, being full of tasty cheese and even tastier spinach. It was also extremely cheap despite coming in such a huge portion. The staff that works here are nothing short of welcoming, and the whole atmosphere is quite jolly, if not a bit chaotic. This spot must be on your list if you plan to visit Skopje.
Amigos – https://amigos.mk/
While there is some decent traditional Macedonian food to be had in Skopje, being quite tired of Balkan cuisine at the end of a rather long trip, I mostly opted to dine in at spots serving foreign cuisines. I was extremely lucky to run into a local Mexican restaurant chain called Amigos on my last day in Skopje. While the food could have been a bit more authentic, and spicier, it was certainly nothing short of amazing. They came up with a rice dish by incorporating some elements from Mexican and local cuisines, and it worked like a charm. The staff is professional, and their salsa is to die for, especially if you dip your cheesy nachos in it. Certainly an interesting spot to visit if you want to spice up your dining game in Skopje.
Seafood Restaurant Sidro – https://maps.app.goo.gl/goXYu1PEwdcUeXUx9
While Mexico may be far away, the Mediterranean is just beyond the horizon. All sorts of seafood are readily accessible in Skopje. While not all such restaurants excel in what they do, I can confidently say that Sidro cannot possibly disappoint you. The staff is excellent, friendly and knowledgeable, and their seafood is as fresh as it can be for a location that is not adjacent to the sea. Though I adored their fried shrimps the most, I have to say that the grilled calamari were rather memorable as well. With all of that being said, what really elevated this whole dining experience was not anything solid, but liquid. They serve some of the finest booze you can find in this fine country, and their different local liqueurs are a must try. A visit to Skopje would not be complete without a visit to this fine establishment.
Matto Napoletano – https://maps.app.goo.gl/1hw5nHnrXgpsTw4L7
Apparently, there are some organizations which try to keep a legit list of some of the best pizzerias out there, like Italy’s “50 Top Pizza.” According to their ranking, Matto Napoletano is the best pizzeria in all of Balkans, and has been consistently increasing its rank within the top 50 pizzerias in entire Europe for the last four years. Though such remarks did not mean much to me at the beginning, by the end, I realized what the deal was all about. This excellent pizzeria imports everything from Italy and bakes their pizzas to perfection. The crust itself is impossible to describe, biting into it is a once in a lifetime experience due to its cloudy yet almost crunchy texture. All the ingredients are top notch, and the service is perfect. They also serve some superb beer, for which they also received an award. I had no idea Peroni brewed such delicate beers, and I would be extremely happy to try more of their products down the line. This is an experience that needs to be had in Skopje, in fact, it is as good as a landmark in the city.
Arabika Falafel – https://maps.app.goo.gl/vxs2budywhRKKKMy9
Thankfully, you do not need to spend a lot of money to have a decent meal in Skopje. While seafood and decent pizza can be costly at times, burek and certain fast food items can significantly reduce the cost of eating out. A very surprising and budget friendly option in Skopje is Arabika Falafel, which, as its name suggests, serves some proper Syrian falafel wraps. The owners are from Damascus, and they are a friendly bunch. For a few USD a piece, you can get a very substantial falafel wrap, full of crunchy falafels and tasty pickles, as well as some sauce. While I would prefer my falafels to be a bit more on the crunchier and moister side, the food you get here can, nevertheless, hardly disappoint.
Burgerslut – https://maps.app.goo.gl/4aM3HNs4gDDvr9rp6
Speaking of spots that cannot disappoint, we have a special one coming up next. Burgerslut is a hidden gem that is somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Skopje. It specializes on burgers, sure, but it offers a lot of vegetarian options on its menu. In fact, the single best vegetarian burger I had in my entire life just happened to be prepared by one cheerful gentleman in this fantastic establishment. The soy patty they used mimicked the meat quite well, but the real deal here was the top bun. It was cut in half, filled with cheese, and toasted to perfection before crowning the burger at the end. This was a very juicy, tasty, and outright sinful burger to have. One that tasted superior to most “actual” burgers I had back in the day, when I did not shy away from eating meat, often on a daily basis. Since my experience with Burgerslut was this good, I came back to try one of their mushroom burgers as well. To my surprise, this one tasted even better, and dare I say, rivalled some of the best chicken burgers I had before. After all mushrooms seem to be mimicking chicken in this recipe. Once again, this saucy burger was moist in all the parts that matter, and crispy wherever it needed to be. On top of all of these, their fries and sides also deserve many compliments. A must visit in Skopje if you care in the slightest about having a decent meal.
Baklava Angela Merkel – https://maps.app.goo.gl/xCp1rEZTMuc158Tk6
If you crave some baklava as you walk around the Old Town, you cannot go wrong with a visit to Baklava Angela Merkel. While we were unlucky with our timing there, getting some of yesterday’s stale baklava as a result, the old lady who seems to own the place is rather friendly, and she did recommend us the slightly fresher options. Moreover, the decoration of the spot, if I may call it as such, is well worth checking out. They have photos of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the former German chancellor Angela Merkel all around, sometimes photographed together. It is certainly an interesting choice, to say the least.
Antep Baklava – https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgoXRxxgFP4AKWEa7
If you really want to enjoy some superb baklavas, then you need to make your way to Antep Baklava. While slightly more expensive, the stuff you get here will be better than most baklavas Turkey has to offer at the moment. The owner, as usual, is very friendly and helpful as well. I recommend all types of baklavas I get below, though they did have at least ten more just taunting me to buy them as they waited on the counter.
Mado Prom – https://maps.app.goo.gl/hmFXAvbZrazUaAkWA
If you would rather have a more local dessert experience, then you cannot go wrong with Mado Prom. While I did have better tres leches and in the region and even in Turkey, I cannot say the same for a very specific egg-based dessert that they make in house. Its name eludes me, but if you visit them and ask for the eggy dessert, I am sure they will dish out the right option! It is not for everyone, but if you are fine smelling a bit of raw eggs as you enjoy your dessert, it may be for you, just as it was for me!
Suffice to say, there is something to satisfy anyone in Skopje, regardless of how picky of an eater you are. With good service, decent prices, and tasty dishes, Skopje does stand out a bit more than some of its other neighbours when it comes to dining out, and I do hope that this short list will make it easier for you to arrange your own trip to the region while not missing out on some of the finest bites it offers!