Tirana is fast gaining a reputation as a top culinary destination for foodies and travelers from all over the world.
With a rich cuisine driven by local, fresh ingredients and multiple regional influences – Turkish, Italian and Greek elements are present in almost all Albanian restaurants – Albania has become a top destination for those looking to enjoy a high-quality and affordable meal out.
If you’re spending more than one day in Tirana and have already experienced the Albanian Night Dinner & Show where you get to try 7 different regional dishes sampling the rich cuisine of this country, you should check out these 9 Albanian restaurants.
These eateries are a must-visit on your next trip to Tirana, serving everything from traditional Albanian food to Italian fare to luxurious dining experiences.
1. Era
Traditional | Upscale | Great Service
Those looking to try traditional Albanian food in Tirana can head to either of Era’s two locations in the center of the city. This restaurant offers a slightly more high-end – yet still affordable – experience to visitors and locals alike who want to enjoy traditional speca te mbushur (stuffed peppers), byrek (pastry filled with meat, cheese or spinach) or qofte (meatballs) that make Albanian cuisine so mouthwateringly good. Era Vila is a particularly beautiful and well-decorated venue, offering delicious house wine and excellent service.
2. Arabesque
Halal | Middle Eastern | Affordable
A short walk away from Albanian Night on the busy Kavaja Street, Arabesque is an excellent Middle Eastern restaurant offering incredible hummus, falafel and shishkebabs at affordable prices in a spacious and comfortable setting. Travelers seeking halal options will find this restaurant hits the spot, with fresh tabouli and large portions of hummus filling you up faster than you can say faleminderit (thank you)!
3. Pasta da Pucci
Italian | Date Spot | Cute Decor
This picturesque and charming restaurant is tucked away from the busy action of Tirana’s main streets. This establishment offers up multiple pasta and spaghetti options, each more delectable than the last – we particularly like the Penne with Salmon and Zucchini. Each plate offers generous portions priced fairly, usually up to 700 ALL a plate. The decor is reminiscent of a pastel doll house and offers an intimate spot for couples or even groups of friends to enjoy an evening together.
4. Fishop Tirana
Seafood | Fresh | Fixed Menu Options
This small seafood restaurant offers freshly-caught grilled fish, ceviche dishes and octopus salads that are simply to die for. The inviting atmosphere and elegant decor make this a welcome spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of central Tirana. The staff here are extremely attentive to clients and also offer a reasonably-priced fixed menu option that gives diners a tasting of different seafood dishes that you won’t want to miss!
5. Ceren Ismet Shehu
Upscale | Traditional | Castle of Tirana
This upscale restaurant is a branch of the trendy agrotourism located in Mount Dajti. Ismet Shehu, a world-renowned Albanian chef who studied in the UK, opened this location at the entrance to the Castle of Tirana and offers premium versions of traditional Albanian dishes and meats to clientele in a luxurious space decorated with traditional Albanian tools and furnishings.
6. Xheni Fast Food
Traditional | Low-Cost | Fast Service
In Albania, “fast food” doesn’t have the same connotation it does overseas; Xheni is a restaurant serving fasule (beans), pilaf (rice) and perime zgare (roasted vegetables) to customers in a zero-fuss and unassuming venue right off of Sheshi Wilson in Blloku. The food is delicious, cooked in traditional fashion and served very quickly, making this restaurant a great spot for those looking to try traditional Albanian food in a pinch or on a budget.
7. Çoko
Italian | Blloku | Diverse Options
This centrally-located Italian-style restaurant in the heart of the Blloku neighborhood has multiple seating options – including a balcony – and offers a diverse selection of Italian food items. The ingredients are high-quality and the large venue offers plenty of privacy and options for large and small groups alike. We recommend the carabonara and salmon pasta!
8. SALT
Luxurious | Sushi | Cocktails
This beautiful, high-end restaurant is next-door to Çoko and offers two floors decked out with Japanese decor. Offering both incredible sushi as well as next-level steak, SALT has become known as the local go-to spot for delicious cocktails and high-quality service. The ambiance is unique, calm and tasteful, and the clientele here generally dress up for their dinner reservations. While prices here are higher than in other restaurants in Tirana, the quality of the food and service are top-notch, rivaling and even exceeding what’s offered in restaurants in Western Europe or the United States.
9. Tymi King Pils
Traditional | Meat | Affordable
Looking for where to eat close to Skanderbeg Square? Tymi King Pils is a no-frills, down-to-earth traditional Albanian restaurant serving up delicious and freshly cooked meat dishes. Prices here are super affordable, a rarity in the center of Tirana, and the portions are generous. The qofte (meatballs) and chicken soup are especially delicious, making this venue sometimes packed with tourists (as well as locals) waiting to get inside.
