What to eat in Kosovo: the dishes to try
Food in Kosovo is built on bread, dairy and meat, cooked simply and served in generous portions. Many dishes are shared with Albania and the wider Balkans, and a few are closely tied to Kosovo. This guide explains what you will see on menus and what is in each dish.
Four dishes to start with
- Flija: thin, crêpe-like layers of batter baked under a metal dome called a saç, each layer brushed with cream before the next goes on. It takes hours and is often made for family gatherings and special occasions.
- Qebapa: small grilled sausages of lamb and beef, without skin, usually served in flatbread with chopped onion and often with kajmak, a thick dairy cream, or ajvar.
- Tavë kosi: lamb baked with yogurt, usually with rice.
- Burek and pite: flaky pastry filled with minced meat, white cheese or spinach. The spinach one is usually called pite me spinaq. A common quick meal at any time of day.
If you only try two, make them qebapa and a burek: they are everywhere.
Home-style dishes
- Tavë Prizreni: a casserole from Prizren with lamb, aubergine, okra, peppers, onions and tomatoes.
- Sarma: minced meat wrapped in cabbage or vine leaves.
- Stuffed peppers: filled with meat, rice and vegetables.
- Pasul: a bean soup, usually made with white beans, beef and paprika.
On the side
- Ajvar: a red pepper relish, mild or hot, eaten with grilled meat and bread.
- Tarator: a cold salad of cucumber, garlic and yogurt.
- Kajmak: the thick, creamy dairy spread that comes with qebapa and bread.
Sweets and drinks
Baklava is made of layers of filo pastry with chopped nuts and syrup, and tulumba is a fried pastry soaked in syrup. To drink, rakia is a fruit brandy, often made from grapes. Kosovo also makes wine, and the town of Rahovec in the south-west is especially known for its vineyards.
Eating without meat
It is easier than it looks: pite with spinach or cheese, bean soup, tarator, salads, ajvar and fresh cheese are all everyday food. Always ask whether a dish contains meat, because stuffed vegetables and soups often do.
Ordering tips
Flija takes a long time to make, so restaurants often ask you to order it in advance. Portions are large, so order a few dishes and share.
Restaurants with addresses, opening hours and contact details are in the KosovoGo app.
Read the guide: Where to go in Kosovo: a city-by-city guide