What to Eat in Struga: 8 Local Foods to Try

Struga is best known for Lake Ohrid, the Black Drim River and its international poetry tradition – but food is another excellent reason to slow down and spend time here.

The local cuisine reflects Struga’s position at the meeting point of the lake, river and western Macedonian countryside. Fish traditions remain important, while bakeries and family kitchens produce regional specialities such as gjomleze and Strushki sarajlii.

You will also find the wider flavours of North Macedonia everywhere: white cheese, ajvar, grilled peppers, shopska salad, tavče gravče, burek, grilled meat and syrup-soaked Balkan desserts.

In this MacedoniaTOP guide, we explain what to eat in Struga, which dishes are genuinely regional, what to know before ordering Lake Ohrid fish and where to look for the best local food.

What to Eat in Struga at a Glance

1. Gjomleze: The Essential Struga Food

If there is one regional speciality you should actively look for in Struga, make it gjomleze – ѓомлезе.

Gjomleze is strongly associated with the Ohrid–Struga region rather than being exclusive to a single town.

The traditional version uses extremely simple ingredients:

What makes it special is not the ingredient list but the slow cooking technique.

How Gjomleze Is Made

A thin layer of batter is poured into a large round pan and partially cooked.

Another layer is added, then another, building the dish gradually rather than baking one thick mixture at once.

Traditionally, the pan is cooked under a vršnik – a large metal cover heated with hot charcoal and ashes.

The process can take considerable time.

The result has:

What Do You Eat with Gjomleze?

It works particularly well with:

2. Strushki Sarajlii: Struga’s Local Pastry

For something even more specifically connected with the city, look for Strushki sarajlii – струшки сарајлии.

These are savoury pastries made from soft yeast dough.

The dough is divided into portions, rolled into thin ropes and shaped into distinctive spirals.

Typical versions include:

After baking, some traditional recipes add a small amount of warm salty liquid to keep the pastries soft.

When to Eat Sarajlii

They are ideal for:

Look in local pekara – bakeries – and burekdžinica rather than only in formal sit-down restaurants.

3. Fish Soup: A Lake Ohrid Classic

Given Struga’s position where Lake Ohrid flows into the Black Drim River, fish naturally plays an important role in local cuisine.

Fish soup – ribna čorba is one of the easiest fish dishes to try.

Recipes differ between restaurants and families but may contain:

It is usually served hot with bread and lemon.

Why Try Fish Soup?

It is particularly useful if you want to experience the region’s fish tradition without ordering an entire fish priced by weight.

A bowl of soup also works surprisingly well for breakfast or brunch – something that might seem unusual to visitors from countries where soup is mainly an evening meal.

4. Lake Fish – But Ask What You Are Ordering

Lake fish has long been part of the culinary identity of Struga and the wider Ohrid region.

However, this is one area where responsible travellers should ask a few questions rather than simply ordering the most famous name on the menu.

Ohrid Trout

Ohrid trout – Salmo letnica is an endemic salmonid associated with the Lake Ohrid ecosystem.

It is also a conservation-sensitive species, and fishing is controlled through permits, closed seasons, quotas and other regulations that can change.

At the same time, restaurants around the lake may serve various types of farmed or river trout.

How Is Fish Served?

Preparation varies, but simple methods work particularly well:

Ask the Price Before Cooking

This is one of the most useful practical tips for eating fish around Lake Ohrid.

Whole fish may be priced:

Before the fish goes into the kitchen, ask:

What does this fish weigh, and what will the total price be?

This is completely normal and avoids surprises when the bill arrives.

5. Eel: A Historic Struga Speciality

European eel has a long connection with Struga because of the Black Drim and Lake Ohrid ecosystem.

Traditional Struga-style preparation can involve slowly baking the eel with garlic, parsley and seasoning until the exterior develops a rich crust.

The high natural fat content gives eel a very different texture and flavour from trout.

A Conservation Note

Availability of eel should never be treated as guaranteed.

Fishing within the Lake Ohrid and Black Drim system is regulated, including seasonal restrictions affecting eel and other species.

Rules can change according to conservation measures and fishery-management decisions.

If the staff cannot explain where the fish comes from, choose another dish.

6. Macedonian Meze, Ajvar and White Cheese

You do not need to eat fish to have a good meal in Struga.

One of the best ways to begin lunch or dinner is with a selection of Macedonian-style meze.

Look for combinations of:

This is particularly good in late summer and early autumn when local peppers and tomatoes are at their best.

Tavče Gravče

If you want something more filling, try tavče gravče, the classic Macedonian baked-bean dish.

It is not specifically from Struga, but it remains one of the most useful traditional dishes for vegetarians and anyone who wants a break from fish or grilled meat.

7. Burek, Yogurt and Local Bakery Breakfasts

For an inexpensive local breakfast, skip the hotel buffet for one morning and find a neighbourhood bakery.

Burek is available across North Macedonia and typically comes filled with:

A classic combination is:

burek + yogurt.

Also look for:

8. Desserts: Baklava, Tulumba and Kadaif

Struga’s pastry shops reflect the wider Ottoman and Balkan influence on the region’s food culture.

Baklava

Layers of filo pastry, nuts and sweet syrup.

It is rich, dense and best eaten slowly with coffee.

Tulumba

Fried ridged dough soaked in sugar syrup.

The best pieces are crisp outside and juicy inside.

Kadaif

A dessert made from very fine strands of pastry, generally combined with nuts and syrup.

Trileçe

A soft milk-soaked cake now commonly found across cafés and pastry shops throughout the Balkans.

It is not uniquely Strugan or Macedonian, but it has become a popular modern café dessert.

Ice Cream

In July and August, an ice cream beside the Black Drim or Lake Ohrid waterfront is difficult to beat.

Try Boza

If you see boza in a traditional pastry shop, consider trying it.

This thick fermented grain drink has a mildly sweet and slightly tangy flavour.

It is associated with Ottoman and Balkan food traditions and is often sold in older-style pastry shops alongside cakes and syrup desserts.

It is definitely not for everyone – which is exactly why it is interesting to try once.

Where to Eat in Struga

Rather than relying on a long list of restaurant names that can quickly become outdated, think about which part of Struga matches the meal you want.

Lakefront – Best for Fish and Views

Choose a restaurant overlooking Lake Ohrid when you want:

Restaurant Adenia is one current example of an established lakeside restaurant in Struga serving Macedonian and fish dishes.

Struga Centre and Čaršija – Best for Everyday Local Food

Head into the commercial centre when you want:

The best option may simply be whichever bakery has fresh trays coming out when you pass.

Black Drim River – Best for Coffee and a Relaxed Meal

The restaurants and cafés around the river are particularly pleasant for a slower lunch or evening drink.

This is also one of the best parts of Struga for simply sitting outside and watching the town’s everyday rhythm.

Radožda – Best for a Dedicated Fish Lunch

If fish is one of the main reasons you are exploring the Struga region, consider travelling approximately 10 kilometres south to Radožda.

The village sits directly beside Lake Ohrid and has a long fishing tradition.

Dva Bisera is one well-established fish restaurant there, but other lakeside options operate in the village as well.

Combine lunch with the medieval cave church of St. Archangel Michael using our guide to beautiful villages in North Macedonia.

What Should Vegetarians Eat in Struga?

Vegetarians should have little difficulty finding traditional food.

Good options include:

What Should You Drink in Struga?

Macedonian Wine

Look for local wines made from varieties such as:

Rakija

Rakija is the traditional Balkan fruit spirit commonly served before or alongside food.

Drink it slowly – homemade versions can be significantly stronger than their smooth flavour suggests.

Turkish-Style Coffee

A small strong coffee is part of everyday social culture throughout North Macedonia and fits perfectly after lunch beside the Drim.

Boza

For something non-alcoholic and more unusual, try the traditional fermented grain drink mentioned above.

A Perfect Food Day in Struga

Breakfast

Strushki sarajlii or burek + yogurt from a local bakery.

Morning Coffee

Sit beside the Black Drim River with coffee.

Lunch

Try:

fish soup + grilled legally sourced fish + shopska salad.

Afternoon Snack

Look for a piece of gjomleze if you find it freshly prepared.

Dessert

Baklava, tulumba or kadaif with coffee.

Evening

Order a selection of Macedonian meze with local wine rather than forcing yourself into another large meal.

What to Order If You Have Only One Meal

For a single sit-down meal in Struga, we would choose:

Explore Struga and Lake Ohrid

Food is only one reason to stay in Struga. The town also works well as a base for the western side of Lake Ohrid, Radožda, Kališta and excursions around the wider lake region.

Practical Food Tips for Struga

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Struga famous for?

Struga is particularly associated with gjomleze, Strushki sarajlii, fish soup and traditional fish dishes. Eel also has a long historical connection with the city and Black Drim River.

What is gjomleze?

Gjomleze is a layered savoury speciality associated with the Ohrid–Struga region. A simple flour-and-water mixture is cooked gradually in layers, traditionally beneath a heated metal vršnik covered with charcoal and ashes.

Is gjomleze from Struga?

It is associated with the wider Ohrid and Struga region rather than being exclusive to Struga. “Strushki gjomleze” is nevertheless strongly promoted as part of Struga’s regional culinary heritage.

What are Strushki sarajlii?

They are traditional savoury spiral pastries made from soft yeast dough, usually with cheese and sesame. They are one of the more specifically Struga-associated foods in this guide.

Can you eat Ohrid trout in Struga?

Fish labelled as Ohrid trout may appear on menus, but travellers should ask about the species and source. Fishing in Lake Ohrid is regulated, seasonal restrictions apply and farmed or other trout are also commonly served.

Is Ohrid trout protected?

Ohrid trout is a conservation-sensitive endemic species. Fishing is controlled by current fishery rules, permits, closed seasons and other measures, so legal availability can change.

Can you eat eel in Struga?

Eel remains part of Struga’s culinary tradition, but its availability depends on legal sourcing and current fishing restrictions. Ask the restaurant about the source rather than assuming every eel is locally caught.

What is a good vegetarian dish in Struga?

Try gjomleze, tavče gravče, cheese sarajlii, shopska salad, ajvar, grilled peppers and cheese burek.

Where should I go for fish?

Look at reputable lakeside restaurants in Struga or travel to Radožda, a fishing village around 10 kilometres south of the town. Ask about the day’s catch, fish source and pricing before ordering.

Where should I look for local pastries?

Explore bakeries and burek shops around central Struga and the Čaršija. Freshness is more important than choosing a famous name.

What desserts should I try?

Baklava, tulumba and kadaif are classic choices. Trileçe, cakes and ice cream are also widely available in modern pastry shops and cafés.

Is food expensive in Struga?

Local bakeries, salads, bean dishes and casual restaurants can be very affordable. Whole fish and premium lakeside dining can cost considerably more, especially when fish is priced by weight.

Continue Exploring Struga

Struga is worth experiencing slowly.

Walk beside the Black Drim, stop for a bakery breakfast, have a long lakeside lunch and leave enough time for coffee and dessert rather than treating the town only as a quick stop outside Ohrid.

Continue planning with these MacedoniaTOP guides:

Final Verdict: What Should You Eat in Struga?

If you want the shortest possible answer:

Gjomleze → Strushki sarajlii → fish soup → responsibly sourced fish → Macedonian meze → baklava.

That combination gives you both the genuinely local flavours of Struga and the broader culinary traditions of North Macedonia.