Macedonia Food Tour: Top 5 Must-Try Dishes & Drinks

Macedonia, pretty much a country sitting pretty in the middle of the Balkans, is super underrated as a food destination, yet its culinary scene is seriously something. Influenced heavily by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, Macedonia offers quite tasty food. That might be anything from savory pies to slow-cooked meats. You will probably want to get to know some popular drinks, too. So, grab your fork and get ready to eat your way through Macedonia. These top 5 eats and drinks really capture just a little bit of the local taste.

1. Tavče Gravče: Macedonia’s Hearty National Dish

Okay, so we’re talking about Tavče Gravče, maybe the most well-known food from Macedonia. Basically, this bean dish is way more than just beans. These are usually large, creamy beans. That’s cooked and baked in a earthenware pot. What’s very cool is that the name comes from “tavče” meaning earthenware pot and “gravče” just meaning beans. The preparation is relatively straightforward, actually. Beans get pre-boiled, then sautéed with onions, peppers, tomatoes, oil and different spices to end up with an amazing dish, seriously. Smoked bacon or sausage are very frequently tossed in too. You know, it just makes it a heartier, richer eat. It often is served as a main course. Locals, it seems, love it with crusty bread. That, to me, sounds like the kind of simple pleasure you look for, so you get to soak up every last bit of sauce.

If you, too, would love to taste a seriously delicious Tavče Gravče, try it at Gostilnica Makedonska Kuka in Skopje. You’ll just love the very traditional food that they make, that is, Tavče Gravče baked to make it so warm. Otherwise, get yourself booked in Restaurant National Palas in Ohrid, a bit away but, by the way, the food here is excellent, they know how to turn it up for Tavče Gravče like nowhere else.

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2. Shopska Salad: Freshness in Every Bite

Next up is Shopska Salad, perhaps it’s the ultimate Balkan salad. Very popular, so you can see this beauty served right throughout the area. It actually is really a super basic salad. You will see tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers. What may make it stand out quite a lot would be that good pile of grated sirene cheese on top. If you don’t know, that would be a pretty salty white cheese. That adds like this creamy saltiness, actually makes a difference. People love to eat it with rakia. It goes pretty perfectly with that strong local brandy, actually helps to balance tastes.

Do you want a wonderful Shopska Salad? Visit Old House Restaurant, it just sits at the core of Skopje’s Old Bazaar, to enjoy some Macedonian classics, to be honest, there really isn’t anywhere more like this. Just next to it sits Kaj Pero, that seems super familiar to Macedonians, but also this restaurant turns up with the most perfect version, I mean really, really delicious!

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3. Macedonian Wine: A Sip of History

Okay, but how about washing all that tasty food with a bit of vino? Actually, Macedonian wines do deserve some attention, since the region is a big growing spot for grapes going back centuries. The wines typically have like these bold tastes. You should sample some Vranec, and that very red one is pretty famous. As for white wines, you may prefer something such as Žilavka. That provides this kind of crisp, fresh flavor, so if you love the crisp taste, try that one. Loads of the wineries provide tours, too. You should know, it really adds up if you get out on a tour to get the history about Macedonian wines, see about the work required. Not bad if you like wine a lot.

Pop over to Stobi Winery and explore their vineyards close to the historical city of Stobi, the wines you’ll taste, the wines will just blow your mind! Moreover, you shouldn’t miss Chateau Sopot with super spectacular scenery close to Veles, they just rock out, really making it such that it’s well recognized.

Read our full review: Macedonian Wine Full Review and Details

4. Ajvar: The Versatile Red Pepper Spread

And how could anyone skip out on Ajvar? Typically, this spread just seems to appear across just about every Macedonian meal. You could even call it relish. To begin with, it consists of these roasted red peppers and that is roasted just to make the sweetness comes alive, next come garlic and a dash of oil. Basically, it can seem a touch like sweet or smoky food, seriously! Family recipes abound, you know; each family might change theirs a touch by putting chili pepper in or like an aubergine. It does fit on just about anything too. Very simply you may slather it upon bread to enjoy the taste. You would put it along grills of meats or perhaps within a mezze scattering. That seems sort of convenient, seriously. Many tend to produce it by way of fall, I imagine because, then you could find these pepper being ready to be picked. They turn making the process inside parties. You bet, everyone gets to participate.

To enjoy an Ajvar from another world? The Pelister National Park probably looks very interesting for you, here the taste of home just feels very much from the land and traditions. Or you might get to Brka restaurant which might provide an even spread on everything!

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5. Rakija: Macedonia’s Fiery Spirit

Finally, that is time to talk Rakija, perhaps Macedonia’s soul bottled up as being something to sip. Most likely it may be a type spirit very made generally from distilleries using grape fruits similar plums or apricot, but really generally use several others, too. It will just probably kick off on any festivity just to pay people respect but besides used for an every-morning ritual. Alcohol grades differ a great deal very; be quite cautious because various variations do arrive on even 40 % perhaps up or exceeding perhaps 60 percentage mark so that is really really hot! Regional variances come about. A taste comparison would just truly enlighten every so.

Wanna kick yourself to the Rakija real way from Macedonian lifestyle? Look no deeper than the Old Skopje Bazaar in which countless bar sites offer many kinds using homemade Rakija but besides shop made product is there for grabs!

Read our full review: Rakija Full Review and Details

Must-Try Macedonian Food & Drink: Key Takeaways

• Tavče Gravče: Don’t forget this iconic bean dish; a trip to Macedonia wouldn’t really seem fulfilled.
• Shopska Salad: Crispness in just about any food that gets a touch fresher and is ideal with nearly anything at all; and it does help even Rakija be really easier to simply take and also love actually.
• Macedonian Wine: Try the taste for a local beverage and discover regional grape growing and so taste the entire heritage by tastebud and drink even; it will seem that awesome just in the end.
• Ajvar: Accept nearly, because I have seen people using as an additional that might probably enhance simply all dishes! The most handy flavoring must become even.
• Rakija: Love in particular but rather mind that is truly good; the experience must provide that you could recall the tradition for a local Macedonian beverage for all days that get here really indeed in my opinion!

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