Food in North Macedonia - 20 dishes you must try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: April 2026 | The food in North Macedonia is a flavourful blend of Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman influences. Grilled meats, savoury stews, fresh vegetables and sweet pastries come together in a cuisine that is both rustic and generous. In this guide, we take a look at what to eat in North Macedonia - and list 20 classic dishes not to be missed.

What to eat in North Macedonia? - a quick overview

We have written about Croatian food and Albanian food, and now we focus on North Macedonian cuisine! The food in North Macedonia relies heavily on local ingredients such as peppers, tomatoes, aubergines, cheese and meat. Here are some typical examples of what to eat in North Macedonia:

• Traditional dishes: Tavče gravče, ajvar, kebapi, sarma
• In a restaurant: Grilled meat, salads, pizza and pasta
• Sweet: Baklava, tulumba
• Drinks: Rakija

Travelling around North Macedonia by motorhome, we discovered that the food is good - and the people are great. We got to know some Albanians from North Macedonia, who invited us into their homes, took us out to eat and ... let us try on Albanian festive clothes! What a welcome into the country and culture!

Typical North Macedonian food - 20 classic dishes

Here we list North Macedonian dishes that are interesting to try, including desserts, sweets and drinks.

1. Tavče gravče

A classic national dish of white beans baked in the oven with peppers, onions and spices. A simple but tasty dish.

2. Kebapi (Ćevapi)

Small grilled minced meat rolls, usually made of beef or lamb. Served with bread, onions and sometimes ajvar.

3. pljeskavica

A large, juicy minced beef patty - sometimes called a Balkan burger - which can often be stuffed with cheese.

4. sarma

Cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and minced meat, slow-cooked for maximum flavour. This is traditional home cooking often done at home, or at family gatherings and holidays.

5. Musaka (Macedonian variant)

This dish is similar to the Greek version, but is usually made with potatoes instead of aubergine.

6. grilled meat

Very common in restaurants - everything from lamb and pork to chicken and mixed grill skewers.

7. mixed grill plate

A mixed grill plate is perfect for those who want to try several different types of meat at once.

8. pastrmajlija

A traditional “pizza-like” dish topped with meat and eggs. Very popular in the country.

9. Fish dishes

Fish is not as common in North Macedonia as it is in the coastal countries around the Balkans, but around the lakes - especially Lake Ohrid - there are plenty of fish restaurants. Trout is often served here, and it is common for the fish to come from local fish farms.

10. Shopska salad

A fresh salad with tomato, cucumber, peppers and grated white cheese. This salad can be served as a starter or side dish.

11. Pita and burek

Pies made from filo pastry, which can be eaten as breakfast or fast food. Burek is a classic filo pastry pie usually filled with meat, while pita is a broader term for similar pies with different fillings, such as cheese or spinach. In practice, however, the words are sometimes used slightly differently depending on where you are.

12. ajvar

A pepper sauce made from roasted peppers and aubergine. Often served as a side dish with meat or bread. Spicy and delicious!

13. stick animals

This mess is similar to ajvar but is often coarser and contains more tomato.

14. Cheese and charcuterie

Local cheeses and air-dried meats are often served as starters.

15. Grilled vegetables

Peppers, courgettes and aubergines are often served grilled. A simple but tasty and flavourful side dish.

16. tarator

A cold yoghurt soup with cucumber, garlic and dill - perfect for hot summer days.

17. bread (Lepinja)

Macedonian bread served with almost every meal. Very tasty!

18. baklava

Sweet dessert with filo pastry, nuts and syrup - a classic throughout the region.

19. tulumba

Deep-fried dough bars soaked in syrup - a very popular pastry.

20. rakija

A strong fruit brandy, often made from grapes or plums. An important part of the local food culture.

Food in restaurants in North Macedonia

Travelling around North Macedonia, we noticed that menus often include both traditional and international dishes. In many restaurants you will find:

• Grilled meat in various forms
• Salads and meze
• Pizza and pasta
• French fries and light meals
• Local mixes like ajvar

In tourist areas, menus can be quite “international”, but it is almost always possible to find genuine dishes if you look a little.

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• Albanian food - 20 Albanian dishes
• Cypriot food - 20 dishes from Cyprus
• Greek food - 25 Greek dishes
• Croatian food - 25 Croatian specialities
• Turkish food - 20 dishes in Turkey