Restaurants cuisine du monde Albania

A very popular address. But why "G & T"? Because this restaurant plays on the traditions of the Guègues (northern Albanians) and the Tosques (southern Albanians). Housed in a ^17th-century house, the restaurant offers specialties from all over the country. Meats and cheeses come from the Theth region, and all kinds of rakis are served, including that of the owner, Djon. In winter, you'll be seated in a vast dining room with a huge fireplace. What's more, this establishment boasts some very attractive rooms.

Located in an elegant house near the Palace of Justice, between the Bratko and Medieval Art museums, this is Korça's most famous restaurant. Carefully prepared traditional cuisine, a few vegetarian dishes, a pleasant garden, live music at weekends, a warm atmosphere and plates of cold meats to enjoy with a rakia e pjekur (raki with cinnamon and honey). Not everything is perfect, however: service is sketchy, there are too many sauces and, above all, too many private parties. But if it's open, don't sulk.

Right in the heart of Përmet's restaurant district, this excellent restaurant is run by chef Urim Jaçe, who launched the slow food movement in Albania in the 2010s. In a slightly kitsch décor reminiscent of a Greek temple, you'll find traditional regional dishes such assalcë shakulli (sheep's belly stuffed with dried yoghurt) orkofshë qingji e mbushur (leg of lamb stuffed with almonds), as well as wild boar, rabbit and fish from the Vjosa... Well-presented plates, organic house wines and service sometimes in French.

Turn right up Dervish Hima Street from the stadium and you will only see a small sign indicating the restaurant. But nothing else, because it's located in the basement. You should know that... They serve a rather Italian cuisine, some Albanian dishes and very good fish well prepared. Except for the TV in the background and the smokers who are tolerated, everything is perfect here. The impeccable service, the generous plates and the bread that comes out of the pizza oven is a pure marvel! For smaller budgets, we recommend the cheap mussels and pasta.

Traditional dishes in a superb ^19th-century house next to the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Christ. On the menu: stuffed vine leaves(japrak), stuffed peppers(speca të mbushura),, spinach or meat burek, meat okra(bamje me mish) and perfectly cooked pizzas. The same proprietors also own the recently opened and delightful Çoçja Boutique Hotel on Rue Vilson, 250 m south of Demokracia Square (from €69 for two with a good breakfast).

We recommend this restaurant only for one thing: its pleasant shaded terrace which offers a splendid view on the lauze roofs of the old town. For the rest, it is an address for tourists. But for patient tourists (the service is slow) and not too much in search of an amazing culinary experience, because the cuisine is decent, without more (grills, salads). However, with a small glass of local wine (not bad at all by the way) and a ray of sunshine, one spends a good moment here. And if it's just for a coffee break, then it will be perfect.

One of the last popular offal restaurants in Tirana. It's located in the "bicycle district" (Tregu i Biçikletave), at the intersection of the street leading from the Pazari i Ri market. In the early hours of the morning, locals come here to eat soups made from offal and the less noble parts of beef or lamb. Don't worry: you can make yourself understood if you want to avoid pieces of brain or heart. Sprinkled with chilli and accompanied by a pilaf, it's really good, even for breakfast.

This restaurant claims to offer Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. That's not wrong, but it's mostly for his homemade pasta that you have to come. Located in a small white villa, between the American and Italian embassies, the hotel also offers a charming garden for romantic outdoor dining. At least, the decoration is sober and rather nice, and we will always find a waiter who speaks English. Nearby, Mustafa Matohiti Street is very lively, with some of the trendiest night bars in the capital.

Located in a cobblestone quarter dating from the late ^19th century, this restaurant had its heyday during the Communist era, when foreign delegations would visit the French Lycée opposite, where Enver Hoxha was a student and later a teacher. Now out of fashion, this "lycée inn" is still a good address, just a stone's throw from Republika Boulevard. The cuisine is simple and quite decent (grills, soups, salads). You'll appreciate the rustic fireside setting in winter and the garden under the arbour in summer.

It is one of the most charming restaurants in the area. Located at the top of the site of Apollonia of Illyria, it bears the name of the French archaeologist who excavated the site from 1924 to 1938. The building was built by his team to serve as a shelter for the site and one can still meet archaeologists working on the site. Daily dishes are served in the room decorated with photos of the first excavations or on the terrace, under the olive trees, with a view of the ruins and the Vjosa delta. Near the monastery, the Apollonia restaurant offers a more touristy menu.

This popular traditional rotisserie(zgara) offers inexpensive grilled meats (lamb chops, sausages, pork, etc.) and fergëse (stews). It has two addresses in the lively Kavaja street. The one closest to Skanderbeg square (Zgara e Tironës by Le Noir) offers a slightly cold, fast-food atmosphere, close to the Tirana Backpacker Hostel. The second (Tek Zgara e Tironës), 250 m further along the same sidewalk, is our favorite, with its rustic decor, terrace and checked tablecloths.

This traditional restaurant is well placed for partying in the Blloku district, as there are several well-known bars nearby. The establishment is a piceri (pizzeria), but it offers a wide range of local specialties: soups, various fërgesa (simmered tomato and cheese dishes), meatballs in tomato sauce, pickled vegetables, salads, grilled meats... It's not haute cuisine, but it's a good introduction to local gastronomy. Another address is on rue Papa-Gjon-Pali-II, near the national stadium.

This is Blloku's trendiest restaurant. You'll find everything here... except Albanian cuisine: sushi, seafood, tempura, tacos, fish ceviche or carpaccio, large cuts of beef and fusion dishes, accompanied by fine wines and plenty of good cocktails, all in a pleasant, modern setting. But be warned, the prices are almost Parisian, with, for example, a large seafood platter for 3 people at 13,000 leks or crab and truffle makis at 2,700 leks. Expensive, but good.

Located in an alleyway off the main street, the "Trefoil" restaurant takes its name from the Greek name Përmet bore in ancient times. It offers some very good, purely local specialities: salcë shakulli (sheep's belly stuffed with dried yoghurt), kolloface (pork sausage), pulë me përshesh ("whole chicken" cooked with cornmeal crumble), kofshë qingji e mbushur (leg of lamb stuffed with almonds), shqeto përmeti (milk, flour, egg and lamb soup), and finally gliko (candied fruit or vegetables) for dessert.

Authentic Turkish and Ottoman cuisine is served in a refined setting and attracts loyal clientele for years. Very attentive service and traditional Turkish music in sound. The hotel is located near the intersection of S. Frashëri Street and Brigada VIII Street.

Situated in a pleasant 1936 villa with garden, this restaurant offers good-quality Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, with simple but tasty wood-fired pizzas and more elaborate dishes that follow the seasons. The establishment is also a hotel: ten good-quality rooms at €75/100 for two, with perfect bedding, good breakfast and parking on reservation, plus packed lunches, airport shuttle and car rental. A good option for sleeping in the city center.