Monastery Cave Restaurant - One visit A wonderful experience was at the Monastery Cave Restaurant in Matka. A large terrace for dining or you can dine in the cave, we opted for the outdoors to enjoy the view of the gorge, alongside the water feature. The restaurant is located just on the main road by Treska river , just a short walk from the dam. The staff was lovely, and the food was cooked to order and very fresh. We enjoyed a simple salad of cucumber, which was delicious, followed by traditional grilled meats and our favourite village meat with vegetables, one of the best yet. There is an excellent selection of meal choices and wine, primarily traditional Macedonian food. We finished our lunch with ice cream, which was a huge portion! Recommend Monastery Cave restaurant, for the level of service, great views, incredible food, and excellent value for money.

Canyon Matka Hotel & Restaurant - Four nights Stunning scenery and location, a beautiful quaint hotel that exceeds your expectations in Matka Canyon, Macedonia. The Canyon Matka Hotel is very cosy. Located in the heart of the gorge, it makes you feel instantly at peace, surrounded by the lake and nature. The rooms are spotless, and be sure to book one facing the lake to enjoy the magic views of the canyon. A pleasant surprise was that you received a complimentary bottle of wine during your stay. The restaurant and bar are full of views, and all tables have the same magical views. You truly feel you are in a private oasis, and it is very tranquil. The food was exceptional. We really enjoyed the crisp, fresh salads, and the meat and fish dishes were mouthwatering. After four days, we dined a few times and were equally impressed with every dish. The menu was extensive, and desserts were also a treat; portions were plentiful. We enjoyed a few cocktails on the terrace, soaking up the views, and they were made to perfection. It was also a busy spot for day-trippers, following their experiences in the canyon. A big thank you to Dejan for his high level of service; he was very attentive and warm. M ost staff have been with the hotel for a long time and make you feel welcome; they exude energy and friendliness. Alexander, the manager, was an absolute delight to spend time with, too. If you are an early riser, it's worth noting breakfast starts at 9 am. They have a range of choices; the bacon and eggs baked with cheese were delicious, fresh juices were available, and the coffee was excellent. A boat trip with Almata Prima Kayak Rental And Boat Tours, located next to the hotel, is well worth doing; it was magical. You also visit a cave, which is only one hour for the trip, and it is very affordable on a luxury pontoon at 500 denar - €8 each (usually 750). Another fun activity is to kayak through the canyon, ideally during the morning if you want to avoid the tourists; it is a popular destination. If you are a fan of hiking, there is no shortage of treks. A fellow guest from the US who we became friends with has stayed in this gorgeous hotel for five weeks, a true testament to the hotel's friendly staff. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the car park via a cobblestoned trail, but the hotel will ensure your luggage is transported; we loved the simplicity and the experience. The canyon, a short 25 minutes from Skopje, Macedonia's capital city, is a true treasure; I recommend staying for a few nights to enjoy the atmosphere and nature truly.

Almata Prima Kayak Rental And Boat Tours - One visit Cruising deep in the Matka Canyon on a luxury pontoon cruise is a must-do experience. We opted for the morning around 10 a.m., which was the perfect time to enjoy the canyon before the tourists arrived. You cruised the canyon on your own, and it was very relaxing to soak up the magical views and have the lake to yourself. Matka Canyon Boat Tours is located next to the Canyon Matka Hotel & Restaurant , and the hotel can arrange it if you are staying with them. The return trip takes only one hour, and the cruise on a luxury pontoon is affordable at 500 denar — €8 each (usually 750). You also visit a cave called Vrelo Cave, it is only a two-minute walk from the water's edge up some stairs, you spend 20 minutes touring the cave before returning to the boat. The cave is well lit up for safety and the stairs were easy and suitable for most ages to explore, it is also free to enter. The boat captain is well-versed in five languages (including English) and has a warm and friendly nature; you will enjoy the trip chatting away. Another fun activity is kayaking through the canyon, ideally during the morning, to avoid the tourists. It is a popular activity and place to visit. I highly recommend cruising with Almata Prima Kayak Rental and Boat Tours while visiting Matka Canyon to experience the pristine waters and Grand Canyon views.

Restaurant Casablanca - One visit The restaurant you wish you had found earlier was one of the best in Macedonia and exceeded our expectations. Our last lunch in Skopje and Macedonia ticked all our boxes. First and foremost, it was air-conditioned so that we could enjoy and relax over lunch, a reprieve from the hot, scorching days, with a view of the Vardar River. The staff was an absolute delight. They were hot, friendly, and attentive, and they were all full of enthusiasm. The food was exceptional, with the wine to match. We started with a salad; it was the freshest we have experienced. Roast lamb and mouthwatering followed it, definitely on par with Australian lamb, followed by Wiener veal schnitzel, which is also delicious. We were overwhelmed to receive a glass of wine from the house—the exact wine we were drinking, our favourite, and only available by the bottle. Very comfortable dining. The furniture was designed for a perfect long, lazy lunch or dinner with beautiful glassware. We wish we had encountered this fine dining gem much earlier when we arrived in Skopje to enjoy culinary delights and comfort.

Vodenica Mulino - One visit It is a beautiful restaurant with a calming outdoor area for traditional dining in Skopje. We dined on a hot day, but it was comfortable outdoors with the breeze and fans. I started with a lovely fresh salad, followed by perfectly cooked Tagliata; it was delicious. They have a fantastic wine list, and the food was excellent; service was attentive, with great staff. The restaurant was a local hotspot full of businessmen and was the place to be. Recommend, excellent pricing, a little above most, but worth it.

Baba Cana Vodno - One visit Beautiful traditional restaurant perched up on the hill overlooking Skopje. As our local friend recommended, we looked forward to catching up and enjoying traditional food. The outdoor dining space in the garden was a true oasis, with the bonus of air-conditioning to keep you comfortable. I recommend booking, as this is a popular restaurant for private functions and is popular amongst the locals. We were fortunate to be dining during a birthday and entertained by a four-piece band, which made the atmosphere magical. We started with a mixed platter and Shopska salad and ordered our slow-cooked mixed grill, which would take 50 minutes, which was perfect. Unfortunately, 90 minutes later, we were still waiting for this delicious dish. We checked in with our new waiter (shifts had changed), and the order was forgotten. We were very disappointed after ordering a special bottle of wine to find out our food was not going to arrive. After a 90-minute wait, we decided to skip the meal and head to our favourite Mosh Bar to satisfy our appetites.

Daily Food & Wine - One visit Daily Food & Wine in Skopje met our expectations of exceptional food and wine. The restaurant is located within a shopping mall. What it lacks in views, it makes up for in delicious, fresh food and high-quality meals. We visited our dear friend Nikola , whom we met in Mavrovo at the beautiful Mia's Favorite Hotel . He was home in Skopje for a few days. It is always lovely when the opportunity arises to catch up with friends we meet throughout our travels. We were in need of our meat fix, and we were impressed. The beefsteak was cooked to perfection. Wayne whetted his appetite with a piece of home and ordered the Australian sirloin. The staff was very friendly, and the restaurant was buzzing with locals, which is always a positive sign. It has an excellent menu with a spread of choices for everyone's appetites, complemented by a long list of local and international wines, all at very affordable prices.

Distrikt Bar & Kitchen - One visit There is a great outdoor terrace in Macedonian Square and a very modern, ample indoor dining space. A quick cocktail was all we had time as it was a scorching 40-degree day. There were ample fans on the terrace to keep you cool in the heat, and there was air conditioning indoors if you wanted to enjoy a meal. The cocktails were great, the selection was great, there were no issues when ordering off the menu, and the staff was lovely. We reviewed the menu. There are lots of delicious options, and it is well priced for an establishment part of the Marriott Hotel.

Amigos Restaurant & Bar - One visit Amigos Mexican Cantina is the best Mexican restaurant in Skopje, Macedonia. Nearly three months in Macedonia truly enjoying the traditional food, it was time to mix it up and we stumbled across this little gem. As soon as we entered, we were welcomed by the friendly staff and were quick to order a Margarita and Mojito to quench our thirst from the soaring 40-degree weather in the city. Once we had settled, we started on the menu, and each dish was amazing. We pushed our boundaries and ordered dishes we had yet to experience. The food was fresh and delicious. Our first arrival was Corn Fritters, which received a massive thumbs-up, followed by Roll de Pollo, a crispy chicken tortilla roll served with a cream cheese dip. The Chimichanga was next. These spicy grilled beef tortillas were filled with rice, cheese, jalapenos, and frijoles, and they were a treat. The finishing touches were fajitas, crispy tortillas filled with feta cheese, and grilled chicken served with pico de gallo. We were then adequately satisfied (and more). The restaurant is cozy and modern. As you enter, you are greeted by a great terrace and ample indoor seating, followed by a private courtyard. I recommend Amigos Mexican in Skopje to balance your dining experiences.

Brick Eat Restaurant and Bar - One visit You can't win them all. Brick Eat of Park Hotel failed to deliver. Slow service, although they were overstaffed. They were all busy doing nothing and avoiding the small number of guests' eye contact. When they did take our order, they neglected to actually process it, and 40 minutes later, we were still waiting for a simple hamburger. The salad we did receive was average, and it was a blessing that our next order was not processed. On a positive note, the cocktails were great. The level of service was felt among all guests. We heard a few times, "Is my coffee coming from Brazil?" It's best to give this one a miss. Along with the sister venues, you get the vibe that they just don't want customers. We researched Four Restaurant, which was also part of the Park Hotel, and it looked like the perfect place for a long lazy lunch in a lovely venue. We walked into the restaurant and walked around twice, entirely ignored by the 15 staff members just lazing about. This then led us to Brick Eat, as it was air-conditioned. In hindsight, we should have decided to leave much earlier, as we ended up back at our local favourite Mosh and had the most fantastic experience.