It is hard to determine what has had the strongest impact on Macedonian cuisine. Some say it's Turkey, which can be explained by the long rule of the Ottoman Empire and the overwhelming influences it had on the whole peninsula. In Macedonia you can taste various kebabs, delicious sarma and amazing desserts. Generally, the use of vegetables, especially eggplants, tomatoes, hot peppers and spices, is today’s symbol of Turkish influence. Others claim that Greece’s influence was the strongest, tracing the history of Macedonia back to ancient times and to the era of Alexander the Great. Today, one of the national dishes of Greece, mussaka, is considered a national specialty in Macedonia. The taste for Mediterranean food, simple recipes and rich salads seems also to have been borrowed from Greece. There is a third indubitable fact: the influence of Bulgaria    – most visible in cabbage and potato dishes with various kind of meat, soups, yogurt-based meals and salads; the famous shopska salad, for instance, originated in Bulgaria. This salad, which in Bulgaria is a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers, is quite different in Macedonia. It includes hard boiled eggs, cheese with a very specific taste and sometimes yogurt. It is richer than the Bulgarian version and very tasty.

Macedonian cuisine cannot disguise the influences it has acquired throughout the long history of the country. Turkish, Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian – all have been combined into one, and as a result, some of the best national specialties have been born. For instance, the sutljash, which is a soup made from rice cooked in milk with lemon, sugar, butter and eggs. As for main dishes the lamb with cabbage and potatoes is a must. It is prepared with carrots, onions and lard, and although it is seasoned according to the region, one can always be sure that there will be a lot of spices! Turkish coffee is very popular and as for alcohol, grape and fruit brandy is largely produced – even at home, a tradition typical for the entire Balkan peninsula.

The selection of restaurants and bars is not very wide in Macedonia. The country has lived through hard times and it is just now getting ahead. Service is not excellent, but there are some fine restaurants in the capital where great service, delicious food and  a lovely ambiance is provided.  Prices are usually cheap and leaving a tip of 5 to 10 percent of the bill is customary.