2 Best Restaurants in Republic of Macedonia

The warm, welcoming restaurant is a favorite among locals for its handsome decor, large menu of quality traditional dishes, copious servings, and lively atmosphere, particularly on weekend evenings when the wine flows to the strains of live Macedonian music. One-pot meat and vegetable dishes are cooked in the restaurant's wood oven. Although you'll find steaks and burgers on the menu, you're best off sticking to traditional favorites: lamb stew with zucchini and eggplant, fried sheep-milk cheese (piroshka), cured meats, and simmered beans. Desserts tend to be run-of-the-mill, but the local wines are a fine accompaniment to a hearty meal.

Stara Kuka, which means "old house" in Macedonian, is set in a charming landmarked wooden building, close to the Old Stone Bridge, that's been home to the same family for six generations. As you might expect, the menu focuses on traditional regional dishes with an abundance of wild mushrooms from the nearby forests, artisanal sheep-milk cheeses, and hearty meat casseroles and stews overflowing with vegetables and tender local lamb, veal, or pork. Freshwater fish—carp, trout, and catfish—from the areas many lakes and rivers are grilled in locally produced olive oil and best complimented with a light Macedonian white wine. In warm weather, ask for a seat in the picturesque yard, where you'll dine among the sounds of a gurgling fountain and live traditional music.