Albania, nestled in the heart of the West Balkans between Italy, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo, has a rich culinary heritage that makes it a top food destination.
This tiny country’s palette has been influenced by big culinary traditions including the Mediterranean, Ottoman and Balkan cuisines, making it truly unique and delicious.
Albania is blessed by an exceptionally favorable climate that makes the countryside verdant, perfect for raising livestock that provide fresh milk and meat. This is why much of the country’s traditional dishes involve a mix of the two. The undulating olive tree groves that line much of southern Albania provide the necessary supply of oil that is used to dress salads, bake byrek and cook many of the country’s traditional dishes. The same climate is ideal for grape cultivation, which has seen Albania’s wine industry flourish and provides the raw materials necessary to produce the country’s hearty liquor, raki, a staple of every Albanian villagehouse.
If you’re wondering where to find the best traditional Albanian food in Tirana, check out our previous blog post, where we list out some of our favorite restaurants in Tirana, and make sure to book your Albanian Night Dinner & Show experience! At this two and a half hour long experience, you’ll get to immerse yourself in Albanian culture and traditions and end the night eating a 7-course traditional Albanian meal with foods from the different regions of Albania and Kosovo.
In the meantime, here are six must-try dishes for your trip to Albania:
1. Byrek – The Iconic Albanian Pastry
Byrek is a flaky, savory traditional pie that can be filled with a variety of ingredients – spinach, ricotta cheese (called gjize in Albanian), meat, onions and tomatoes or wild greens. Most people attribute this pastry’s popularity to Ottoman origins: travel through the Balkans, and you’ll find borek and burek pretty much everywhere the Empire once reigned.
Albania has developed a few of its own unique versions of byrek you won’t find elsewhere, such as lakror. Originating in the southeast Korce region, this dish’s dough is usually batter-like rather than a proper pastry, and the dough is rolled out into thin layers and baked on a large pan over an open fire.
These pies are sold all over Albania in furre bukë, bakeries, and are a filling and easy to order out snack. Many Albanians will enjoy their byrek with a glass of dhallë, a salty, watery yogurt beverage that’s a great way to stay hydrated on a hot day out.
The best places to try byrek are the small, hole-in-the-wall bakeries you’ll find dotting Tirana’s backalleys and villages. If you see a stooped-over old woman behind the counter carefully kneading dough and filling it with spinach or meat, definitely try out her byrek!
2. Tavë Kosi – Albania’s National Comfort Food
Next up is tavë kosi, a baked lamb and yogurt casserole-type dish, which is oftentimes called “Albania’s comfort food.” Typically seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and oregano, this dish is also believed to originate from the Ottoman period and enjoys various regional varieties. The Korçë region has a unique version of this dish called tavë elbasani, named after the town of Elbasan, where the dish is believed to have originated. A popular story claims that in the 15th century, Elbasan locals were marinating lamb in yogurt for the occupying Ottoman sultan and used the leftovers to create the new dish.
This dish consists of tender lamb cooked in a thick, tangy yogurt and egg mixture, which forms a golden, custard-like crust when baked. Every traditional Albanian restaurant will serve it – you can try out an authentic version of this dish at Oda Garden in Pazari i Ri, for example, on your next trip to Tirana.
3. Fërgesë – A Hearty Traditional Cheese Dip
Fërgesë is a delicious, at times slightly spicy, traditional cheese dip made with gjizë, the Albanian ricotta cheese. This dish is a staple in Albanian households, especially in Tirana. It’s prepared with roasted peppers, tomatoes and the savory gjizë, with regional variations adding different ingredients based on locally-available ingredients.
Fërgesë is sometimes also made with meat in a version known as fërgesë me melçi, where liver or other organ meats are included to make a more protein-packed version of this classic dish. Usually served in clay pottery straight out of the oven, order this savory dish on your next visit to Tirana to experience authentic Albanian cuisine!
4. Flija – The Unique Layered Pancake
Originating from Northern Albania and Kosovo, flija is a labor-intensive dish made with layers of batter cooked over open flame. Due to how much time and labor it takes to make this dish, it’s hard to find in some places in Tirana!
Making flija is a time-consuming process that requires patience, as each layer must be carefully cooked before the next one is added. The result is a crispy, golden, and slightly smoky dish best enjoyed with yogurt, honey or butter. If you get the chance to try homemade flija in a rural village, don’t pass it up – it’s a unique culinary experience that reflects Albanian hospitality and ancient ways of preparing food.
5. Qofte – Albania’s Favorite Meatballs
Qofte are minced beef or lamb, onions, herbs and spice meatballs that can be found pretty much everywhere in Albania. This flavorful and savory dish is often served with a side of pink salt, raw vegetables, bread, yogurt sauce or a fresh salad.
Albanian zgara, grill-houses, are a popular genre of restaurant in Tirana where chefs serve up multiple types of meats. Qofte will usually be the most affordable item on the menu and will fill you up pretty quickly! These meatballs are usually fried and served fresh. In some areas of Albania, qofte are served with a tangy tomato-based sauce or paired with pilaf (rice) for a more balanced and filling meal.
6. Speca të Mbushura – Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a staple in the Balkans, a legacy of the Ottoman era. This dish brings together seasonal vegetables, rice and aromatic herbs in a delicious and slow-cooked meal that can include minced meat or be served vegetarian with just rice and tomatoes.
This dish is especially popular in summer months, when bell peppers sprout out of the ground all over the countryside. You’ll find many variations across different regions of Albania, with some regions including feta cheese or herbs like mint and dill in their versions of this dish.
Speca të mbushura is oftentimes served with a side of fresh yogurt or fresh bread. Ask your waiter at a traditional Albanian restaurant if they have speca te mbushur on the menu to experience one of Albania’s most time-honored traditional dishes!
Whether you’re looking to grab a quick snack on the go or sit down for a hearty meal, Albania’s traditional cuisine has you covered with multiple delicious options. From Mediterranean influences to Ottoman dishes, Tirana’s culinary scene has something to offer every type of foodie on their trip to Albania.
