Meqa is one of a handful of traditional qebaptores (kebab restaurants) still standing in the city today, after many of its competitors closed or slipped in quality. The restaurant offers a short, simple menu of grilled meat including koftas (meat patties), qebapas (mini koftas), pleskavica (burgers), as well as grilled chicken livers and kidneys. Unusually, Meqa sells meat by the piece (koftas, for example, are about 30 cents each), meaning you can easily build a personalized mixed grill for cheap. Order a variety of grilled items along with a side of speca (large fried peppers) and yogurt for an authentic experience. [$]

You can find Renaissance tucked away at the center of the city, behind an unmarked door (most local taxi drivers can show you the entrance). Opened just four years ago, the restaurant quickly established itself as a leader in the Pristina food scene, sourcing produce from within the country and inspiring other restaurants to do the same. Run by a band of three brothers, the team works with local farmers from across Kosovo to serve modern Balkan dishes in a seasonal, four-course set menu for just 15 euros ($17). Diners may receive appetizers such as grilled local cheese, olives stuffed with walnuts, or charred eggplant, followed by a salad served in the traditional local style with thick cuts of super-fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Then comes a meaty main, often the star of the show, like slow-cooked veal gently heated with walnuts over a charcoal fire for eight hours. Every aspect shows the team’s dedication, from attentive servers who stop by tables often to top up glasses of local wine and rakija (a local brandy-like spirit made from fruits like plum, quince, and grape) to the building itself, which the family constructed using recycled materials from the capital. [$$]

Italy, Kosovo’s neighbor across the Adriatic, has had a huge impact on Balkan cuisine (including that of Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania). Pizza and pasta are as common on restaurant menus as local dishes. So when Kosovars do true Italian food, they do it right. Among Pristina’s Italian offerings, Osteria Basilico is a standout, with dishes comparable to any osteria in Bologna, Florence, or Naples. Basilico’s rich spaghetti al ragu and spaghetti ai gamberi (pasta with shrimp) have become crowd favorites. [$$]

Modern Mediterranean restaurant Lisa’s is the new kid on the block in Pristina, serving some of the best steaks in the city. For just over 10 euros ($11), the kitchen offers a giant 8-ounce filet mignon with grilled vegetables and creamed potatoes, alongside huge rib-eye and T-bone steaks. Pasta, risotto, and salads fill out the menu, and the eatery serves an impressive list of wines and spirits made in Kosovo. [$$]

Soma is a modern, creative space that includes a restaurant, bar, and art gallery where you’ll often find live music and cultural events. Until recently, Pristina’s international crowd preferred to gather at the bar for beer and wine, but a recent menu revamp has made dinner at the restaurant equally attractive for a night out. The kitchen now focuses on seasonal, locally grown ingredients in traditional dishes like stuffed peppers with cheese and thyme, assortments of grilled meats, and mezze platters with regional dips such as ajvar (smoky pepper spread) and tarator (sour curd spread with cucumber, garlic, and lemon zest). [$$]

Up until recently, “eating out” in Kosovo almost always meant a trip to a qebaptore, essentially a kebab shop. These institutions are scattered across the city, serving grilled koftas, burgers, and sausages. Skenda, located in the oldest district of the city, is known as the best qebaptore for hamburgers. For 1 euro, the fast-food hole-in-the-wall serves a chicken or beef burger, piled with local slaw, chile paste made from fresh crushed chiles, and salad. [$]

Hannah offers a soothing respite from the buzz of the city. Located by Tokbashqe Park on the Northeastern side of the capital, the restaurant is decorated with plants and murals, while an outdoor patio offers tables beneath shady trees. Chef-owner Fetije Meta carefully prepares fresh soups, salads, and open-faced sandwiches with locally sourced ingredients. If you have time to preorder ahead of your visit, you can even request one of Meta’s traditional specialties like pite (a filo-crusted pie stuffed with tomatoes or spinach), mantija (pastries stuffed with minced beef), and leceniq (native cornbread made with cheese and spinach). [$]

Easily one of the most popular spots in Pristina, the scenic Vila Gërmia is always buzzing with locals. It’s the only restaurant in the expansive Gërmia parkland and forest, a beautiful green space that runs along the length of the city. Visitors can soak in the view from the dining room or the large outdoor patio while enjoying a broad menu of fresh wood-fired pizza, soups, salads, and grilled meats. Be sure to visit at breakfast, when the restaurant serves local treats like llokuma, pieces of moreish savory fried dough best eaten with lëng (spicy yogurt dip) and fried peppers. [$]