Frequently Asked Questions

1.Do I need a reservation for Balkan Night? How can I book?

Yes. Advance reservations are required to attend our Balkan Night events. You can book by phone or WhatsApp at +389 71 394 591, via Instagram @gardenia_skopje, or through the online booking partners listed on our website. Please check our website for upcoming event dates.

2.On which days does Gardenia host Balkan Night?

Our Balkan Night events take place on scheduled dates throughout the year. During June, July, and August, performances are held almost every day. Sessions generally start at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Please consult the event calendar on our website for confirmed dates and availability.

3.How long does Balkan Night last, and when should I arrive?

Our Balkan Night program lasts approximately 100 minutes (1 hour and 40 minutes). Sessions generally begin at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. We recommend arriving at your reserved time so you can enjoy the complete dining and entertainment experience.

4.Can I cancel or change my reservation?

Reservations made directly with our restaurant may be cancelled free of charge at least 24 hours before the event begins. Changes to the date, session, or number of guests are subject to availability.

For bookings made through third-party reservation platforms, the cancellation and modification policies of the relevant booking partner apply. Please contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or Instagram if you need assistance.

5.What is included in the Balkan Night price?

Gardenia offers several fixed-menu options with different selections of dishes. Our menus include traditional Balkan appetizers such as ajvar, the famous Shopska salad, main courses, and dessert.

Your selected menu includes food, water, live music, and traditional folklore performances. Beverages other than water are charged separately.

Prices may vary by season. Please visit our website for current menus and prices.

6.Do you offer vegetarian options or accommodate food allergies?

Please let us know about any vegetarian preferences, dietary requirements, or food allergies when making your reservation. Our kitchen team will review the available options.

We cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment or the absence of cross-contact, so advance notice is particularly important for guests with serious allergies.

7.Are there discounts for children?

Yes. Children aged 0–6 attend free of charge, while children aged 7–12 receive a 50% discount. Guests aged 13 and above pay the adult price.

8.Do we choose our dishes during the event?

Balkan Night dining is offered through pre-arranged set menus. Guests can choose between menu packages offering different selections of dishes when booking.

Individual à la carte dish selection is not available during the event. Please see our website for menu details.

9.Which payment methods do you accept?

Advance reservation payments can be made in EUR by bank transfer or credit card. You may also use the payment options offered by our online booking partners.

At our restaurants, we accept cash in EUR, Macedonian denars (MKD), USD, and Turkish lira (TRY), as well as Visa and Mastercard.

10.Can travel agencies and large groups make reservations?

Absolutely. Restaurant Gardenia Skopje has a capacity of 145 guests, while Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone accommodates 120 guests. Gardenia by Old Stone is an entirely alcohol-free venue.

Both restaurants welcome travel agencies, tour operators, and private groups. Please contact us for special group rates and customized menu arrangements.

11.Can we organize birthdays, corporate events, or private celebrations?

Yes. We welcome requests for birthday celebrations, anniversaries, corporate events, and private group gatherings. Special menus and arrangements may be organized depending on the group size and event requirements.

Our restaurants reach full capacity on approximately 300 days of the year, so we strongly recommend booking well in advance, particularly for large groups.

12.Where is Restaurant Gardenia Skopje located? Is parking available nearby?

Our address is:

Mitropolit Teodosij Gologanov 34A, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia

Restaurant Gardenia Skopje is within walking distance of Macedonia Square. Various parking areas and parking garages are available nearby.

13.Is Gardenia open during the day? What are your opening hours?

Although our legally permitted operating hours are 8:30 AM to 1:00 AM, Gardenia does not operate as a continuously open, walk-in à la carte restaurant.

We primarily welcome guests for scheduled Balkan Night sessions, generally at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, as well as pre-arranged private group and travel agency events.

Please check our event calendar and make a reservation before visiting.

14.Which languages does the Gardenia team speak?

Our team can assist guests in English, Turkish, Macedonian, Albanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Slovenian.

15.Is there a dress code for Balkan Night?

No, there is no formal dress code. You are welcome to attend in comfortable casual clothing or smart-casual attire.

16.Are your restaurants wheelchair accessible?

Restaurant Gardenia Skopje is not wheelchair accessible.

Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone offers wheelchair-accessible entry. We recommend contacting our team in advance to discuss any additional accessibility requirements.

17.Is smoking allowed inside the restaurants?

No. Smoking is prohibited in the indoor areas of both restaurants, including cigarettes, other tobacco products, heated tobacco devices such as IQOS, and electronic cigarettes.

18.Do your restaurants serve alcoholic beverages?

Restaurant Gardenia Skopje offers a wide selection of local and international alcoholic beverages, including Macedonian rakija, whisky, wine, gin, vodka, Turkish rakı, and Greek ouzo.

Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone is completely alcohol-free and does not serve alcoholic drinks.

Water is included in the set menus. All other beverages are charged separately.

19.What kind of music and dance performances can we expect?

Gardenia Balkan Night features live traditional Balkan and Macedonian music and folklore dance performances.

It is an opportunity to experience the region's distinctive musical traditions, dances, and festive atmosphere in one evening.

20.Can guests join the dancing?

Absolutely! Balkan Night is not just a performance to watch; it is an experience to share.

Guests are welcome to join the traditional Macedonian Oro dance and the lively Damat Halayı wedding dance. No previous dancing experience is needed—just come ready to have fun!

21.Can we take photos and videos during Balkan Night?

Yes. You are welcome to take photos and videos of the dining experience, music, folklore performances, and dancing.

We would love you to tag @gardenia_skopje when sharing your memories on Instagram. Please be considerate of other guests' privacy and avoid disrupting the performances.

22.Are pork or pork-derived products used at Gardenia Skopje or Gardenia by Old Stone?

No. Neither restaurant uses pork, pork fat, or any pork-derived ingredients or products.

Please inform our team in advance about any specific dietary requirements or food allergies.

23.Can I attend Balkan Night alone or as a couple?

Of course! You do not need to be part of a tour group to enjoy Balkan Night. Solo travelers, couples, families, and groups of friends are all welcome.

One of Gardenia's distinctive features is its long, shared dining tables, inspired by traditional Balkan hospitality. Guests from different countries can meet over dinner, enjoy music together, join the dancing, and make new friends.

At Gardenia, Balkan Night is not just something you watch—it's something you experience together!

Advance reservations are required.

24.Do you provide transfers from hotels to Gardenia Balkan Night?

Restaurant Gardenia Skopje is centrally located, within walking distance of Macedonia Square.

Individual guests can reach the restaurant on foot, by taxi, or by private car.

Travel agencies and large tour groups are encouraged to contact us in advance to discuss transportation and transfer arrangements.

25.What is the difference between Restaurant Gardenia Skopje and Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone?

Gardenia offers the traditional Balkan Night experience at two distinct restaurants in Skopje.

Restaurant Gardenia Skopje: Our 145-guest venue offers traditional Balkan cuisine, live music, and folklore performances, together with a wide selection of local and international alcoholic beverages.

Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone: Our 120-guest venue offers the traditional Balkan Night experience in a completely alcohol-free setting. It also provides wheelchair-accessible entry.

Both restaurants offer traditional Balkan food, live music, and folklore performances. Special menu and event arrangements are available for travel agencies, tour operators, and private groups.

26.Where is Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone located, and how is it connected to Old Stone Hotel?

Restaurant Gardenia by Old Stone is located in the heart of Skopje's historic Old Bazaar, directly below Old Stone Hotel.

Surrounded by the distinctive atmosphere of the historic bazaar, the restaurant combines traditional Balkan cuisine with live music and folklore performances.

The venue accommodates 120 guests, operates an entirely alcohol-free concept, and offers wheelchair-accessible entry.

It welcomes not only Old Stone Hotel guests, but also individual visitors, travel agencies, and tour groups with advance reservations.

27.Can I choose a table near the stage or reserve a specific seat?

At Gardenia Skopje, the traditional Balkan Night experience takes place throughout the restaurant, not just in one designated performance area.

Live music, folklore performances, and interactive dancing bring the entire venue into the celebration.

For this reason, we cannot guarantee a specific table location or seating close to the stage. Seating arrangements are managed by our team according to reservations and event requirements.

At Gardenia, what matters most is not where you sit, but sharing the excitement of Balkan Night.

28.How far in advance should I book Balkan Night?

Gardenia Skopje is a popular Balkan Night experience, reaching full capacity on approximately 300 days each year.

We therefore recommend booking as early as possible. Last-minute availability can be limited, particularly during summer, weekends, and busy travel periods.

Individual travelers should book once their travel dates are confirmed. Travel agencies and large groups are encouraged to contact us as soon as their event dates are planned.

You can check current availability through the booking calendar on our website.

29.What happens if I arrive late for Balkan Night?

Our Balkan Night sessions generally begin at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and each program lasts approximately 100 minutes.

We recommend arriving at your booked time to enjoy the full meal, live music, and folklore performances.

If you are running late, please inform our team by phone or WhatsApp.

Guests arriving after the program has started may join the remaining part of the event. However, performances or activities already missed cannot be repeated.

30.Can I arrange a birthday surprise, anniversary celebration, or special moment during Balkan Night?

Yes! You can make your Balkan Night experience even more memorable for someone special.

Please share any birthday, wedding anniversary, or other surprise celebration requests when making your reservation.

Depending on availability and the flow of the evening, our team can review possibilities for special arrangements during the live music and folklore program.

We recommend contacting us as early as possible due to our busy reservation calendar.

31.Can we take photos with the folklore dancers after Balkan Night?

Of course! At the end of the Balkan Night program, guests are welcome to take free souvenir photos with our folklore dancers in their traditional Balkan costumes.

You can capture these special moments using your own phone or camera and share your memories with family, friends, or on social media.

Take home not only unforgettable memories, but also wonderful photos of your Balkan Night experience!

32.Can you recommend a hotel in Skopje for guests attending Balkan Night?

If you are looking for a comfortable, centrally located place to stay in Skopje, we recommend Old Stone Hotel Skopje.

Situated in the heart of the city's historic Old Bazaar, Old Stone Hotel is an appealing accommodation option for travelers who want to experience Skopje's unique historical atmosphere.

Its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring the city's historical and cultural attractions.

Hotel information and reservations: https://www.oldstonehotel.com.mk