Eating Out

Bitola, a turn-of-the-century center for diplomacy as Macedonia’s second city, this grand old town exemplifies the country's time honored café culture. The city’s main street,Sirok Sokak , is lined with cafes and is a fashionable spot for youth. The region is well known for its culinary delights and has a tremendous bounty of native food grown in the area.  

Cuisine of Bitola

Macedonia as a whole is a heavy meat producing country, including beef, chicken, lamb and pork, as well as a complete range of game animals. Additionally, the country's many lakes make it rich in freshwater fish. Also well known is the region’s dairy production, which includessirenje, a soft white cheese similar to Greek feta, kashkaval, a yellow cheese similar to Italian Locatello Romano, and its excellent milk and yogurt.  

The region is also particularly famous as a wine growing region, producing high quality grapes, including Vranec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. There are many boutique wineries throughout the country that produce wonderful red and white wines, as well as a fiery brandy calledrakija.  

Eating Out In Bitola

A great place to try if you are on a budget is one of the many Skara places, or grill places. These are quite inexpensive and tasty, giving you loads of grilled meat. Side dishes typically have to be ordered separately. Try theshopska salata, a tasty combination of tomatoes, cucumber and sirenje. Another specialty is ajvar, an appetizer or side dish consisting of a paste made from tomatoes and roasted peppers.  

Enjoy some of the city’s premier sweets and savory baked goods at one of the many bakeries throughout the city. Stroll Shrok Sokak for coffee and exceptional pastries and snacks while on the go.  

Other Bitola favorites, though less palatable to foreigners, are Chkembe chorba, a popular tripe soup famous in the area and Kukurec, or sheep innards enclosed in a gut casing. Though these may sound unappetizing, locals stand by them and think they are delicious. If you are feeling adventurous, check these specialties out at one of the several restaurants in the city featuring traditional Macedonian cuisine. 

With numerous traditional restaurants as well as international cuisine, Bitola has a nice dining atmosphere that will definitely be enjoyed. Explore some of the city’s many cafes and Macedonian cuisine restaurants to get an accurate taste of the city’s true dining experience.