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Pepsito - Three visits An authentic Macedonian experience at Pepsito restaurant by the Dragor riverside in Bitola. An excellent local restaurant, also a favourite for the locals, you could easily spend an afternoon enjoying watching the world go by in the old bazaar and the river views. The food was exceptional, with a selection of local wines. It truly felt like we were a local. At Pepsito, it was not just good; it was excellent. Each dish was an accurate representation of the rich flavours of Macedonia. And the local wines, they were the perfect accompaniment, adding a touch of authenticity to our dining experience We enjoyed warm and friendly service, and we loved that the menu was in Macedonian. Although ordering was challenging, you always got by, and we enjoyed a delicious grilled plate. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our neighbouring table after chatting with them; they popped over and filled our glasses of wine twice:-) We enjoyed our dinner and will be back; we were also amazed when we received our bill for AUD 19; you have to love Macedonia. We have visited Pepsito another couple of times, and the food has been very consistent and continues to surprise us. A couple of times again, the lovely owners are delightful and make us feel part of the family. It's not just a late lunch spot, it's a place where you instantly feel part of the community, a feeling that keeps drawing us back.

Bela Kuka Hotel Bistro - Three visits A quaint restaurant is part of a hotel, just a short walk from Shirok Sokak Street, also known as the "White House." The wine list is excellent, and we found a special bottle of red wine we were hunting for from Bovin Winery. Tucked away on a quiet street, a hidden little oasis, perfect for breakfast or lunch. The staff at Bela Kuka Hotel Bistro is not just friendly; they are welcoming. The wine list is not just good; it's great. We were delighted to find a special bottle of red wine from the Bovin winery, a true gem. It's a place that doesn't just meet your expectations; it exceeds them. It has an extensive menu with more wonderful food, fresh salads, and delicious meat perfectly cooked. We returned for breakfast over the weekend, and Wayne was very excited to receive his favourite bacon and eggs (for AUD 3.85), the best bacon in Macedonia to date. Recommend if you are looking for a comfortable, quirky, and well-priced restaurant.

La Playa Beach Bar - One Visit Ok, beach bar. There is no real view, and to be honest, there are better places that have a view and better quality drinks and service. My recommendation is to go to Bonaca Restaurant Lounge Bar.

Restaurant Municipium This hidden gem not only offers quality food but also provides a filtered view of the harbour, impeccable service, and a robust wine list, ensuring a memorable dining experience. We were pleasantly surprised and felt truly valued when they had our favourite sparkling Tomac ready for us. Complimentary grappa at the end of the dinner was a perfect way to finish a great meal. This is one of the best places to eat in Rijeka.

Three Monkeys - Two Visits Delicious quality cocktails are served with a smile at reasonable prices. Nothing is better than a perfectly mixed negroni, a simple but challenging-to-master cocktail. Immerse yourself in the unique experience of people watching, while enjoying a summer afternoon in the vibrant city of Rijeka. They have a great gin collection, as my Monkey 47 martini shows. Make sure you arrive for happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Saint Vitus Apartments with balcony 2 - Three Nights This is the perfect location to explore Rijeka on foot. You are in the heart of the city, with all the hotspots on your doorstep. The apartment is spotless and modern, with air conditioning. The bedroom has complete dark-out blinds (yeah!). The balcony has no chairs or table, so we paid for a feature we could not use. The kitchen was small but well-equipped; we could cook most nights and had everything we needed. There is a SPA supermarket 10 minutes walk away. We drank at Three Monkeys twice. It's a very cool bar that is perfect for people-watching and serves great cocktails. We ate at Restaurant Municipium, which was great. My only concern (and it appears to be a common issue in Croatia) is that they supply no cleaning products. So, the dishwasher didn't have salt, rinse aid, etc. I advise you to bring your own cleaning products and take them to each Airbnb as you travel.

Hotel Fantasy - Three nights This is the place you need to pinch yourself to know you are not dreaming. The view is truly spectacular. It is a beautiful luxury hotel that ticks all the boxes. After dining there on our arrival to Gjirokaster and feeling the warmth from the staff during lunch, we knew we couldn't leave without enjoying a stay in this beautiful hotel. We changed our booking and booked into Hotel Fantasy for three nights, and were not disappointed. From the restaurant and our rooms, we have truly remarkable views of Gjirokaster, the castle, and the mountain terrain. We were fortunate to enjoy the suite for our first night. It was beautifully furnished with gorgeous artwork, and the bathtub/spa was an added bonus. You were also blessed with a peaceful sleep in heavenly beds. The team, from reception to restaurant and bar to housekeeping, was always full of smiles; it was infectious. I give them gold stars for service. The restaurant's food was mouthwatering, including an array of traditional Albanian food. There was also a great wine selection and great value. The bar is opposite the restaurant, with a large outdoor seating area for breathtaking views. The cocktails were made with love, and we enjoyed working through them. The breakfasts were fresh and varied, and there was excellent coffee. You could also order a la carte, which was a bonus for us who travel. The bar was also buzzing with people and was social, a great place to meet new friends. We were lucky enough to meet some wonderful new friends, too. Our dear friends Miha and Elena. We felt like family in the most magical hotel, Hotel Fantasy. The team was an absolute delight, and we are going to miss everyone.

Restoran Paparaci 2 - Three visits Restoran Paparaci 2 is a hidden oasis in Bitola; lush green trees and nature surround you in the garden dining area. It is a great place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. We enjoyed the peaceful nature and being tucked away in the garden, although you are minutes from Shirok Sokak Street. The staff was amiable. When language was a barrier, they would call a friend to chat with so they could translate for us; it was lovely. There was a slight translation hiccup when we ordered fried eggs and received five fried eggs. We also received a special little treat after breakfast; lovely Macedonians always want to treat you and make you feel special. Restoran Paparaci 2 offers excellent value for food and drinks. The menu is not only extensive, but also offers great quality and a variety of traditional Macedonian food. We also had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious wiener schnitzel. The restaurant was located beneath our Airbnb, with the most incredible view of Bitola. It quickly became a local spot for us to enjoy afternoon wine and late lunch.

Carpe Diem - Two visits Upon arrival in Niš, Serbia, our first find was Carpe Diem, a wonderful gastro restaurant tucked away in a beautiful tree-lined street. It was nearing 40 degrees, so we looked for a place to enjoy our new surroundings outdoors, and Carpe Diem was perfect. We were also blessed with a pleasant breeze for outdoor dining. First up was mojitos to quench our thirst, and they hit the spot, followed by some stunning plated dishes. The food is incredible. The lasagne was delicious, and the desserts were also mouthwatering. The staff is extremely welcoming and friendly. We returned for drinks the following day because we loved it so much. They also have a garden bar just a short walk from the restaurant. Due to its popularity and live music events, we would have visited if we had more time.

Mandarine Restaurant - One visit A friend in Durres recommended this restaurant. The service started rocky, but once we found the Sommelier, it all turned around. We started lunch with a lovely bottle of French champagne (we also have half bottles), followed by a recommended Italian white, and he was spot on with our palette. The restaurant is part of Marina Bay Luxury Resort & Spa, but the views are magical. It is another perfect place to enjoy Albania's sunsets. The food was exceptional; we thoroughly enjoyed trying new dishes and were incredibly impressed by every dish being delicious. You must try the Tiramisu; it was a heavenly experience. There is also a great cocktail bar called Lime Lounge Cocktail Bar upstairs, where you can continue your long, lazy lunch and take in the sunset.