Tirana Restaurants

The Lonely Planet guide rates this restaurant so highly, that it insists its readers visit it as part of its "Tirana in Two Days" recommendation. It certainly sounds appealing, with "fantastic service" and "tasty Albanian dishes for carnivores and vegetarians alike", all set in the former East German embassy. The only problem that, like many of the Lonely Planet's West Balkans restaurant recommendations, it no longer exists. In fact, judging by the depth of trash and dust gathering outside the embassy, it hasn't been open in years. Unlike my LP guidebook which is dated 2006.

So, to save yourself hours of your holiday wandering around the dark streets of nighttime Tirana looking for this famous restaurant: don't bother.

Update: According to a note left on this page the restaurant has now been re-opened.

A great place, 100 meters from the Tirana Backpacker Hostel...
Information, tourist brochures, fast food, cold & hot drinks....
English spoken, as well as French, Italian, Dutch, Greek & Albanian.

Great chicken wings, hot dogs and fries.

Its a relaxing place, just out of the hastle of the centre...and lots of students passing by!

Also a bulletin board for buying & selling stuff.

If you stay at the Tirana Backpacker Hostel on the Elbasan Road, you MUST visit Kaloj Cafe!!!

Favorite Dish: Chicken wings and beer on thursday and friday!!!

They have great sauces too...and cheap!!

Very good restaurants all around Tirana - and outside it of course. Local recepies, but lots of Italian as well. Personally I must say i have eaten some of the best pasta and pizza in Tirana, instead of Rome or somewhere else italian.
To mention some: Vinum, Artist, King's House, Era, Amour. Look for the "Tirana in your pocket" booklet at the International bookshop in Scanderbeg square and you will find detailed location for all these. Although food is excellent most of the time, prices are still rather cheap compared to EU countries.

Don´t be fooled by the look of this place.
This is not mc donalds.
It´s a fastfood place servind mainly burgers, but they are bigger and better than what you get at mc donalds and they serve beer there so adults come as clients too.

Favorite Dish: I can recommend the skanderburger that is not made on your usual boring bun, but on a proper piece of bread and it´s also a proper piece of meat they use for it.

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Lovely surroundings and English-speaking waiters and menus, make this a relaxing choice for dining. They have an extensive list of soups and appealing entrees. The coffee is good.

Favorite Dish: Chicken with spinach and gorgonzola

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Located behind a high wall, in an old villa, with relaxing and beautiful atmosphere, this is perhaps the best restaurant in Tirana. Order from the menu or take advantage of the chef's special offerings for that day. There is an extensive wine list. Try the stuffed mushrooms, the polenta, and anything made with salmon!

One of the best restaurants in Tirana, the main course emphasize meats and fish. And while delicious, the appetizers are truly memorable. The menu offers so many that a meal could be made from them alone. Be sure to order the spinach souffle (no eggs) and the beans. The rest is up to you. The Tres Leches is a memorable dessert.

There are dining areas both inside and outside and a small offering of animals that intrigue the children and keep them occupied.

Favorite Dish: In addition to the appetizers, try the piglet or the shish kebab. Portions here are generous

The Casa di Pasta restaurant is found in the Taiwan complex. It has a great selection of pasta dishes, pizzas, meat & salad dishes. There are tables both inside & outside. They give good views of the park & nearby boulevard.

The service at the restaurant was very good. The waiters spoke some english & the menus were in albanian, italian & english. The price I paid for a good size pizza & half litre of foreign lager was 850 lek.