15 Best Restaurants in Albania You Can’t Miss

Looking for the best restaurants in Albania? Then you’ve come to the right place. I’m a huge foodie and was so surprised by the food scene in Albania. Not only was everything so delicious, but it was all super aesthetic and instagrammable too! I found some of the most beautiful restaurants in Albania! I’ve compiled a list of my favorite restaurants I personally visited during my 10 day road trip to Albania. Included in this foodie guide are restaurants in Sarande, Ksamil, Gjirokastër, Dhermi, Himare, Berat, and Tirana! Whether you’re looking for the best traditional food in Albania, the best brunch, or spot for a sunset drink and dinner, this guide has it all.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclosure here.

Before you go:
🏨 Everywhere we stayed in Albania linked below:
Sarande: Hotel Myrtai ($$)
Gjirokastër: The Barrels ($)
Dhermi: Zoe Hora ($$$)
Himare: Potam Sea Bliss ($)
Berat: Hotel Ansel ($)
🚖 Pre-book your Tirana airport transfer to your hotel
⛴️ Or if arriving at Corfu Airport, book your ferry tickets to Sarande
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
📱Mobile eSIM card to stay connected for less than a few dollars a day. There’s no hassle of changing out your physical SIM card!

Albanian Food to Try

Albanian cuisine shares many similarities with Greek, Turkish, and broader Mediterranean food traditions, thanks to its geographical location. You’ll find lots of fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, grilled meats, and savory pastries. Albanian food tends to be hearty but fresh, with simple, natural ingredients. It’s perfect for those foodies who love good traditional, home-style cooking with a Mediterranean twist.

Here are some must-try Albanian dishes when visiting:

1. Tavë Kosi: Tender lamb baked with rice in a tangy, creamy yogurt and egg sauce.

2. Fërgesë: A warm casserole made from peppers, tomatoes, and fresh cheese like cottage cheese or feta.

3. Byrek (Burek): Crispy, flaky pastries filled with spinach, cheese, or meat — similar to Greek spanakopita but with Albanian flair.

4. Qofte: Grilled or fried meatballs made from beef or lamb, seasoned with herbs typical to the region.

5. Speca me Glizë (Stuffed Peppers): Bell peppers filled with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat, baked in a rich tomato sauce.

6. Pite (Albanian Pie): A large layered savory pie with fillings like cheese, meat, or greens — similar to Greek pies.

7. Grilled Fish and Seafood: Thanks to Albania’s stunning coastline, expect fresh, grilled fish and seafood served with lemon and olive oil.

8. Petulla: Fluffy fried dough often enjoyed with honey or cheese.

9. Kackavall: A salty, semi-hard cheese frequently served as an appetizer or part of meze plates.

10. Flija: A traditional layered pancake-like dish, cooked slowly outdoors and often served with cream or cheese.

11. Raki: A strong fruit brandy, popular in Albania and neighboring countries — perfect as a digestive after a hearty meal.

12. Baklava: Sweet filo pastry layered with nuts and soaked in honey syrup — a delicious dessert across the Balkans and Mediterranean.

15 Best Restaurants in Albania

I ate at all these places and highly recommend adding them to your foodie list! These are the 15 best restaurants in Albania (in my opinion) after spending 10 days here.

Best Restaurants in Sarande & Ksamil

1. Lekursi Castle

Why go: Epic panoramic sunset views over Sarandë and the Ionian Sea.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.1 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 9 AM – 12 AM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit & cash accepted

Wow, what a place. This is one of the most viral restaurants in Albania, and I must say, it was impressive. We tried to book a reservation here, and the staff told us it wasn’t necessary. Skeptic, we came and visited and understood why.

This place is HUGE. So, there’s really plenty of space for everyone. But, I’d still recommend getting there early as it’s super popular. There are about 3 levels of seating. The bottom is more of a lounge area for cocktails and no food. The second level is where they serve pizza for dinner. And the top level is a more fancy dining experience with a proper restaurant and menu.

We arrived an hour before sunset and headed to the bottom floor to enjoy a delicious cocktail and watch the epic sunset. It was truly beautiful! And after, we came up a level to have pizza for dinner, which was really tasty.

Everyone here is on the same Instagram mission! We saw about 4 drones up in the air (including ours!), and so many people were trying to get the perfect shot. Which did make it feel a bit much, but I still loved it here. It was such a unique spot set up high on the mountain with the most stunning views all around.

🏨 Where we stayed in Sarande: Hotel Myrtai – It was affordable with free parking and a balcony view of the sea

2. Medshe

Why go: Aesthetic interiors, Mediterranean-Albanian fusion, and photogenic cocktails.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.9 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8 AM – 12 AM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

As someone who loves brunch, I really wanted to visit here but we ran out of time. Anyhow, we passed by and it looked amazing. We had it previously saved, so I knew it would be a good one.

3. Vila Bajrami 45

Why go: Beautiful family-run spot serving fresh seafood and traditional Albanian dishes.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.7 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8:30 am–11:30 pm
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 cash only

We asked our hotel reception what a good traditional meal was in Sarande, and they sent us to Vila Bajrami 45. It was actually so charming and delicious, so I was happy for the local recommendation. We tried the Greek Salad, Byrek with chicken, and the mixed meats! It was so much meat, too!

4. Guvat

Why go: Beachfront dining with fresh fish and sea views—very popular in peak season.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 3.9 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 7 AM – 11 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

This restaurant was one of the most beautiful restaurants in Albania, especially at sunset. It overlooks Guvat Beach, and dining here was so nice. It’s set in the heart of Ksamil amongst all the different beaches. We ordered some tasty cocktails, and I had a chicken dish. They also offer fresh seafood if you’re a seafood lover.

Best Restaurants in Gjirokastër

5. Restaurant Gjoça Tradicional

This is the perfect place to eat and watch all the people roll by on this adorable street in Gjirokastër. Restaurant Gjoça Tradicional offers a menu full of traditional Albanian food. Plus, the chef himself will likely be coming out and taking your order. He was too kind!

Why go: Traditional food and a chance to meet the nice chef
💰 Price Range: $
⭐ Rating: 4.3 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 10 am-10 pm daily
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Cash Only

6. The Barrels Ms

Why go: Dining with views of a gorgeous vineyard and farm chicken
💰 Price Range: $
⭐ Rating: 4.9 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 1 2 PM – 10 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

The Barrels Ms is a stunning vineyard less than 10 minutes from Gjirokastër. I highly recommend booking a dinner here at sunset. You’ll be amongst cute chickens and beautiful views in the countryside.

While researching, I discovered The Barrels is also a hotel! You can book it here – but be quick before it sells out! For just around £60 a night, you can stay in a cozy room with gorgeous vineyard views. I stayed there myself, and it was absolutely perfect.

I stayed here, and it was exactly what I needed after a day of exploring Gjirokastër. Just park up, grab some dinner, and chill—it’s the perfect way to end the day.

Best Restaurants in Dhermi

7. Zoe Hora

Why go: Trendy and artistic setting with a mix of Albanian and Mediterranean food.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 3.9 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8 AM – 12 AM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

This will no doubt be your most expensive meal in Albania. Our meal for 2 people came out to be 9900 LEK (100 Euro). And we ordered the least out of any other place we went to, as we were a bit full from a late lunch. We ordered 2 cocktails and 2 mains only. This place is all about the vibe and the views. It’s a nice atmosphere, but it’s really overpriced. But I must say, I’d do it for the experience, just once! The food was nice, but not the best meal we’ve had.

You will likely need a reservation as it’s a popular spot. Request a table by the pool if you can.

Also, believe it or not, we stayed at the hotel too (book it here)! It is the nicest place to stay in the area, but compared to the prices of hotels in the same area, the price is quite high. We paid €360 for one night – our room was gorgeous and had a walk-on terrace with views of Dhermi. So you will have to decide if you’d like to splurge! They have an amazing pool with a view that you could lounge at.

8. Luciano

Why go: Stunning sea views and a nice vibe—perfect for a sunset dinner.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 3.5 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8:30 AM – 11 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

Luciano is a really famous restaurant overlooking Dhermi Beach. It’s got a great atmosphere and delicious food. They specialize in seafood dishes and also offer a selection of vegetarian options. My friend and I got the pasta and loved it. The staff were really friendly and everything came out fast despite how busy the place was. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table around 2 pm, but it was worth it!

Best Restaurants in Himare

9. Elea

Why go: Modern twist on Albanian cuisine with an olive grove setting.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.8 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 1 PM – 10 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Cash Only

Elea, located in Himare, is one of the best restaurants in Albania! It is family-run and set in their back garden. We even saw goats roaming around. It’s such a peaceful setting. We tried the Greek Salad and Mousakka, which are also Greek specialties. Mousakka is so good if you haven’t tried it! It’s basically layers of eggplant, minced meat, and creamy béchamel sauce baked to perfection.

10. Cafe Butterfly

Why go: vegetarian restaurant with amazing views
💰 Price Range: $
⭐ Rating: 4.7 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8  AM – 9 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 cash only

If you decide to visit Himare Castle, you have to stop by Cafe Butterfly. It has stunning views, and I loved the beautiful setting. It’s one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Albania too. They have a short and simple menu. I tried the vegetarian casserole with a cappuccino freddo (these are everywhere in Albania, and I had them daily!). They also have cakes and juices.

🏨 Where we stayed in Himare: Potam Sea Bliss – it was located on Potam Beach with views of the beach from our balcony and free sunbeds!

11. Fig & Olive

Why go: This Mountainside restaurant is perfect for sunset
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.6 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit & cash accepted

Fig & Olive in Himarë is the perfect spot to catch a sunset while enjoying some amazing food. The vibe here is relaxed, with cozy outdoor seating surrounded by olive trees.

You have to try their fresh seafood dishes—especially the grilled octopus and the shrimp saganaki. And if you’re craving something lighter, their watermelon and balsamic vinegar salad is absolutely delicious and so fresh.

Now while you’re in Himare, don’t miss a boat tour to nearby caves and beaches only accessible by boat! We did this highly-rated boat tour, and it dropped us off at a beach where we could relax a bit too.

Best Restaurants in Berat

12. Homemade Food Lili

Why go: Family-style Albanian cooking served by Lili himself—authentic and heartwarming.
💰 Price Range: $
⭐ Rating: 5.0 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 5 :30 PM – 9 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Cash only

Dining at Homemade Lili is an unmissable experience! So don’t make the mistake of not booking ahead! I booked 3 weeks early and snagged a spot here. Other people came on the day and couldn’t eat here, or even the next day, for that matter.

Now, this is a small, cozy place with communal tables. You will be sharing with other strangers, but it’s so nice that you can meet other travelers! I loved our intimate dining experience. Lili is such a character, too. When we stepped inside, he was full of excitement, welcoming us in as if we were family.

The menu is very small and simple. Lili will be explaining it to you as you arrive. Everything is homemade and traditional Albanian food. Be sure to order what you can eat! Lili will not tolerate any leftovers – hahah trust me! He got onto me and told me to finish my food and drink, but of course, in a nice, sweet way! And, actually, we finished every bit of it, ordered more, and got full. So, that was the only reason I didn’t finish!

Lili has a cute dog who will be lounging at the front of the restaurant. His wife cooks everything, and his son is also there helping.

👉 Contact Lili by using this link on WhatsApp to book. It is only open for dinner.

🏨 Where we stayed in Berat: Hotel Ansel – it was affordable and had views of the cute buildings!

13. Tradita E Beratit

Why go: Traditional decor, beautiful views of the riverside, and hearty Albanian specialties.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.4 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit & cash accepted

I celebrated my birthday at this awesome restaurant in Berat, and it was such a great choice! The views are stunning – you can see the iconic Gorica Bridge and the Ionian Sea.

They have a set menu that’s super affordable, offering great value for the price (around €15 per person excluding drinks).

The drinks were also great, and you can just visit for the drinks if you can’t snag a reservation. A booking is recommended as this place is popular.

They also have fantastic brunch I hear!

Check out my Instagram reel to see what it’s like!

14. Cooking Class at Berat Castle

Why go: A hands-on cultural experience with incredible views and local recipes.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 5.0 (read reviews)
💳 Book ahead via Viator

I did this amazing cooking class for my birthday. I love doing activities to celebrate. Taking a cooking class to learn how to make traditional food from a local was the perfect thing to do in Berat. It was set at Berat Castle with beautiful views all around.

We made 3 dishes:

First, Qofte, traditional Albanian meatballs seasoned with herbs. Then, Patëllxhanë të Mbushur, stuffed eggplants filled with a mix of veggies. Lastly, Speca të Mbushur me Djathë, stuffed peppers with ricotta cheese, which was a delicious vegetarian option.

Cooking alongside Mama Nina in her kitchen, hearing her stories, and tasting everything fresh and homemade made the whole experience so good.

If you’re ever in Berat, this cooking class is an absolute must!

Best Restaurants in Tirana

15. Cafe Botanica

Why go: Aesthetically styled cafe in the heart of Tirana with great brunch options and coffee.
💰 Price Range: $$
⭐ Rating: 4.2 (read reviews & check menu)
⏰ Hours: 8 AM – 9 PM
📍 Location: Google Maps
💳 Credit accepted

Cafe Botanica is located in the heart of the city of Tirana. It’s possibly the best brunch spot in Tirana. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor space. The seats outside overlook the “I Love Tirana” sculpture and the busy Skanderbeg Square. This central location makes it an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of coffee while people-watching. If you want inspo on how to visit Tirana in a day, read my full blog post.

For more reading, you may also like:
⛴️ How to take the Ferry from Corfu to Albania
🌃 Best Things to do in Tirana
🇦🇱 Albania 10 Day Itinerary
🇬🇷 Corfu 7 Day Itinerary