Pristina's 10 Best Local Restaurants: Cultural Dining In Kosovo

Eating out in such a vibrant young city is one of the best experiences Kosovo’s capital has to offer. From high-class opulent locations to scenic outdoor terraces, jazz bars and breweries, Pristina surprises with a diverse set of restaurants. Here is our updated list of Pristina’s top cultural restaurants ─ some of the best culinary venues the city has to offer.

Country House

With a great location in a small village near Pristina, Country House is one of the best choices for an exquisite eating-out experience. Enjoying a scenic panorama over the rolling hills that surround Kosovo’s capital, Country House has been a reference point for Pristina’s culinary scene since 2006. A winner of TripAdvisor’s ‘Certificate of Excellence’ in 2014, the restaurant has both outdoor settings perfect for summer and comfortable interiors in winter. The menu is based on traditional dishes, with a rich display of grilled specialties, fresh salads, and a cocktail selection to match. Country House, Bernica e Eperme, Pristina, Kosovo, +386 49393965

Dit’ e Nat’

Famed for its literary and artistic atmosphere, Dit’ e Nat’, simply translated as ‘Day and Night’, is the place to go for excellent coffee and tea specialties, delicious homemade cakes and light lunches. Steps away from Pristina’s Government and OSCE headquarters, this small restaurant is frequented by expats living in the city. The only book-cafe in Kosovo’s capital, Dit’ e Nat’ is also the perfect location to get to know local artists, read, buy popular English books, or watch local movies at the monthly Film Embroideries event. Dit’ e Nat’, Fazli Grajqevci, Pristina, Kosovo, +381 38742037

Gagi Café

Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Wine Bar, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian, Vegan

A family business and one of the most upscale restaurants in Pristina, Gagi Cafe is the place to go for those with an appetite for well-prepared seafood. Incorporating a wine bar and a terrace on the upper levels of its central location, this restaurant even has a dress code to maintain the elegance of its ambiance. Its wine bar hosts various jazz, piano and saxophone performances, making it a recommended venue for anyone who enjoys listening to live music while tasting some of the best wines in the city.

Home

With a name suggestive of what it has to offer, Home is a restaurant in the heart of Pristina, recommended for those who would like to experience a multicultural gastronomic treat. The menu is a journey across borders, with traditional Kosovan, Chinese, Greek and Italian dishes, complemented by the typical American burgers, but also with vegetarian recipes for those with a preference for healthier food options. What’s more, Home relaxes its guests – both expats and local artists – with a beautiful garden, a rare oasis on a hot summer day. Home Restaurant, Migjeni 1, Pristina, Kosovo, +377 44336336

Legere Creative Cuisine

Restaurant, Mediterranean

Opened in 2012, Legere Creative Cuisine is, as its name suggests, an excellent place to try delicious and creatively prepared dishes while visiting the city. Located in the heart of Pristina, this small and intimate restaurant is a must-try while taking a gastronomic tour of Kosovo’s capital. Legere Creative Cuisine’s menu offers highlights of Mediterranean cuisine, and also some of the best steaks in town. The outdoor garden makes this a culinary venue not to be missed.

Liburnia

Opened more than two decades ago, Liburnia is an unmissable culinary stop in Pristina when it comes to romantic and stylish décor and atmosphere. Offering a warm and familiar feeling so vividly connected to its old Turkish-style location, this restaurant provides good value for money and is a popular choice for both locals and tourists visiting Pristina. Liburnia’s menu is solid and tempting, with traditional local stews and grilled meat recipes served in clay pots, as well as international dishes, such as pizza, or chicken rice with sweet chili. Liburnia, Meto Bajraktari, Pristina, Kosovo, +386 49891 000

Vila Germia

Opened more than half a century ago, Vila Germia is one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Pristina, always popular among locals and expats looking for a green escape from busy life in the city. With a scenic location in Gërmia Park in the vicinity of Kosovo’s capital, this upscale restaurant has it all: splendid green surroundings and a mouth-watering menu, featuring specialties such as beef stroganoff, trout, calamari and salmon. Tasty and classy desserts complete the list with tiramisu, baklava, cheesecake and chocolate soufflés. Villa Germia, Parku Germia, Pristina, Kosovo, +381 38517741

Hamam Jazz Bar

Bar, Nightclub, Turkish, Pub Grub

Located in the center of Pristina, Hamam Jazz Bar is not to be missed. Distinguished by the World Interior News Awards for the ‘Best Bar Design’, this recent addition to the capital’s list of music bars is no doubt warmly welcomed by the city’s night owls and music fans. With a fully-packed schedule of jazz concerts, featuring some of the best local and regional bands performing every couple of days, this venue also organizes thematic jazz events, such Turkish or Latin weeks. The finger food and the extensive wine list are the perfect match for the evening shows. Reservations are advisable.

Iliria

A very sophisticated presence near Kosovo’s Government, Iliriahas an opulent and impressive Modern Empire décor that makes dining here a memorable experience. With a talented team of foreign chefs, and a tempting Mediterranean-based menu, Iliria is unquestionably one of the high-class culinary venues in Pristina. During the city’s hot summer days, the restaurant opens its elegant terrace on the pedestrian Mother Teresa Boulevard, offering its guests the chance to observe local life in one of the most central spots of Kosovo’s capital. Iliria, Mother Teresa Square, Swiss Diamond Hotel, Pristina, Kosovo, +381 38 220 000

Sabaja Craft Brewery

The first brewery in Pristina, Sabaja Craft is one of the city’s big foodie attractions. Founded by a group of friends, including an American who left New York for Pristina, the brewery is all about ‘the beginning of a new craft beer culture in Kosovo’. Sabaja Craft serves a variety of hand-crafted and original beers, including Wit during summers, Pumpkin Ale in autumn, Imperial Stout in winter and Saison in spring. The food menu is well-matched to these specialties, with hamburgers, steaks, sausages and homemade desserts. Sabaja Craft Brewery, 29B Tirana, Pristina 10000, Kosovo, By Diana Condrea

About the author

Diana Condrea

Diana Condrea was born in Romania and although she travelled and studied abroad, she still has a keen affection for the specific culture of Eastern Europe and her home country. With a Bachelor’s in Political Sciences and a Master’s in Tourism, Diana’s main cultural interests relate to the immaterial heritage of Eastern Europe, Balkan and Latin American countries, travel photography and contemporary literature. Diana also works on developing Uncover Romania, a personal initiative of recreating Romania’s image as a cultural destination.