Ziya

With influences from Turkey, Austria and other Balkan countries Montenegro has a rich tradition of food. Great care is taken when creating each dish and the locals do not seem to have much need for new or different cuisine. Therefore the options for international food has been slow to develop in Montenegro. 

For those of us who desire some alternative options now and then – we can recommend a new restaurant in the middle of Podgorica. Ziya, a boutique hotel appeared in the spring of 2012. It’s restaurant serves up a North African and Middle Eastern fusion, which is quite tasty and dishes are great for sharing. We can recommend their baba ganoush, falafels and pistachio crusted beef tenderloin. Actually, everything we have tried this far is a welcome treat for this region. 

We suggest you sit in in their quiet patio for a meal or just a drink to relax! There is an inside dining room, which is nicely decorated though doubles as the breakfast buffet for morning meals. It would be nice if they could hide the buffet tables during the evening. In visiting Zija every chance we get we have always had friendly and excellent service. 

Be sure to say hi to chef Muammar.