Traditional Albanian Food: 39 Delicious Albanian Dishes!
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When travelling to Albania I can almost guarantee that you will be surprised about traditional Albanian food. Albania is not known for its food necessarily, but it should be because it’s delicious.
Albanian cuisine can be described as fresh, healthy and mouth-watering. The food of Albania has Mediterranean flavours which can be compared to its neighbours in the Balkans.
The Albanian menu also has as an Italian and Turkish influence.
You will find lots of fresh salads, lots of meat, white cheese (feta), lots of olive oil and herbs such as oregano in most traditional Albanian food.
The fruit is also something I must mention because to me, it’s the most flavourful, and it plays a big part in the Albanian kitchen.
Most of the products are grown in a garden or farm no more than 30 minutes from you (if you go to the market instead of the supermarket).
Make sure you try the figs, blackberries, peaches, plums and watermelon in the summer.
In autumn you will find mandarins and oranges everywhere – these Albanian snacks are mouth-wateringly juicy!
Albania doesn’t have a huge market around its food, but with the Mediterranean flavours, the slow food movement is beginning to take off.
There are some great Albanian restaurants and agritourism businesses starting within the country. One of the most popular is Mrizi I Zanave located in Lezhe!
Unlike much of the rest of Europe, you won’t find much fast food in Albania; the country has managed to avoid a lot of fast food businesses coming in.
This is due to Albanian being a communist country until 1990 and basically disapproving of fast food (except souvlaki!).
But Albanian food is so delicious, you won’t miss fast food! I am fortunate to enjoy Albanian cooking everyday and hope you love it as much as I do!
Let’s look at some of the best traditional Albanian food that you should try during your time in Albania.
Table of Contents
North Albania Food vs South Albania Food
There are notable differences between the traditional food in northern and southern Albania.
In the north, as it’s colder, you will find Albanian stew and more hearty food. In the south – along the coast especially – you will find a lot of fresh seafood and lighter meals.
Here are 39 Traditional Albanian Foods You Must Try!
1. Tava e Kosit (Lamb with Yoghurt)
Tava e kosit is a popular Albanian lamb dish that’s baked in yoghurt. It’s a simple dish which is baked with garlic, oregano and rice.
The lamb is tender and flavourful and there should be a nice golden layer on the dish when it comes out of the oven. I highly recommend you try this delicious dish while in Albania.
This is one of my personal favourite traditional Albanian foods and a national dish of Albania.
2. Jani me Fasule (White Bean Soup)
This is a hearty dish usually eaten in the winter to warm up the insides. It’s made with white cannelloni beans, tomato paste, olive oil and onion.
It’s a simple dish but a staple of traditional Albanian food that you will find just about everywhere.
This is one of the best Albanian recipes to learn since it’s so simple and easy to make with foods usually found in every Albanian pantry.
3. Pastiche
One of the most popular Albanian dishes, one that my mother-in-law makes very well! This traditional Albanian dish can be described as a quiche.
It’s made with milk, butter, white cheese (feta) and cooked spaghetti. Then it’s put all together and baked to make a slice. Definitely one of the heartier traditional Albanian food recipes.
It’s dairy heavy but a great dinner dish alongside an Albanian salad or a great snack, very filling!
4. Fish
You will find a lot of fresh seafood, especially along the Albanian Riviera. It’s known for its fresh array of fish; beautifully flaky and almost melt in your mouth it’s so fresh.
As you can imagine, Albanian dinner recipes for fish are many and varied. Lots of traditional dishes in Albania involve fish, especially in the south.
There are many seafood restaurants or shacks in which to have your Albanian lunch along the seaside. In Albania, they cook the fish and serve whole.
I highly recommend trying the fish while you’re visiting to get a taste of traditional Albanian cuisine.
5. Shrimps
Another great seafood option and another one you will find on the menu everywhere in cities like Vlora, Saranda and everywhere in between.
6. Calamari/Squid
This is my favourite seafood to have in Albania cuisine. Believe it or not but I didn’t eat seafood before I moved to Albania so that’s a tribute to how fresh and delicious Albanian seafood is.
You will get the option to have grilled or fried although fried is the best (in my opinion!).
7. Mussels
You must try the mussels in Albania if you love seafood. They are also incredibly affordable, as is all the seafood here.
You can get a big bucket of mussels for a quarter of the price that you will find in Greece.
8. Byrek
This is one of the most popular Albanian foods! You will find this famous Albanian food everywhere here – it’s possibly the closest thing to Albanian fast food.
It’s a popular breakfast option for Albanians or a great snack on the go. But you should know there are LOTS of different flavours, combinations and textures to a byrek.
There are so many Albanian breakfast recipes for byrek, you could have it every day and never feel like you’re repeating yourself!
The most popular style is the crispy flaky pastry stuffed with white cheese. There’s also broshura which is a type of byrek that’s made from greens such as spinach.
If you want it with meat, as for byrek me mish. This is sometimes called Albanian meat pie in English.
If you’re after an Albanian breakfast food, a byrek (or two!) is a great way to go.
My mother in law makes it with over 8 different types of greens. It’s savoury, garlicky and very filling so this byrek is not so much a snack but more a meal!
This is definitely one of the best Albanian recipes to know so you can make this delicious snack wherever you are!
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9. Fërgesë
If you’re looking for an Albanian national dish, then this is possibly it! While not an official Albania national dish, this is a tasty recipe that has been adopted widely around Albania.
The most popular and common way to make this Albanian delicacy is white cheese with red peppers, tomatoes, onion, a little flour, butter and yoghurt!
Then it’s mixed together and cooked in a clay pot in the oven. Delicious, authentic Albanian food!
Like much of the vegetarian food in Albania, it’s incredibly delicious and one I recommend having! They have variations that are spicy and one that’s made with liver.
10. Perime në Scarë (grilled Vegetables)
Grilled vegetables are a popular complement to any Albanian dish, especially if you’re having grilled meat which is also popular in Albania.
This is one of the best options for Albanian vegetarian food, but also often served with meat.
Have them with a dash of balsamic vinegar and it’s delicious!
11. Flea/Fli
Flea is traditional Albanian food that varies depending on village and region. This is a layered pancake dish made using a grill. It’s one of the easy Albanian recipes but it cooks for a few hours.
You keep lathering the pancakes while it’s baking slowly making a delicious, soft dessert. It’s usually served with some local honey or yoghurt.
If you want to try sweet traditional food in Albania, Flea is a great option!
12. Speca te Mbushura (Pepper Stuffed with Cheese)
This is one of the tastiest Albanian foods especially if you’re vegetarian, although some variations have mince in so beware of that! Peppers are stuffed with white cheese (feta) and cooked in the oven.
This dish is mouth-watering and simply delicious. This is one of my favourite traditional Albanian recipes to make at home too.
13. Tarator (Cold Soup)
A cold soup? Yes! This dish is a popular Balkan dish, so it’s not only found in Albania.
This delicious soup is made with yoghurt, garlic, thyme and vinegar. Apparently, it’s good for a rough hangover.
It’s the perfect Albanian soup for summer; it’s also called summer soup!
14. Qofte
This is another dish which you will find all over the Balkans with various names. This is essentially a meatball, but longer and more delicious in my opinion.
It’s made with minced lamb, garlic and herbs then fried in hot oil.
15. Grilled Meat
You will find lots of little restaurants and street shacks in Albania selling grilled meat. From lamb, chicken and pork, there are lots of options for an avid meat eater.
Most of the tavernas will offer a mixed grill plate so you get an array of different meat. One of my favourites is pork pancetta!
16. Pershesh
This dish is a traditional Albanian food from the city of Elbasan. It’s turkey with bread and walnuts. This is a meal which you may find hard to locate in restaurants within the touristy areas.
This is a meal which I eat homecooked; it’s not one that I have seen on menus (especially here in Saranda). The texture and taste are like chicken stuffing, with the bread, herbs and onion.
It’s got a delicious taste to it!
17. Paçe Koke (Head Soup)
Don’t worry, it’s the head of a lamb! This traditional Albanian food is like a meat stew. It’s hearty and popular in Albania, something you would find in a typical Albanian home!
Before you turn your nose up at the head part, know that it’s one of the historic foods of Albania, and that (helpfully) it’s surprisingly delicious!
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18. Pace Plenci
This Albania dish is like the one above but instead of a head, it made from tripe (the insides).
Full disclosure: this dish is an acquired taste, and I have to admit that it’s one of the Albanian traditional food recipes which I have not been able to bring myself to eat.
Just the smell of someone cooking this puts me off eating for the day so it’s safe to say, this dish is not for me – but it might be for you! Try it and tell me below what you think.
19. Kukurec
Another tripe inspired dish, kukurec is a grilled form of intestines and liver. The liver is wrapped in the intestines and then grilled for a grilled meat taste.
People worried about “weird Albanian food” might be hesitant to try this Albanian dinner option, myself included.
However, I have heard that this Albanian dish is delicious, and it is a favourite with my boyfriend. I am yet to try it!
20. Kulac (Bread)
This traditional Albanian bread is firm, dense and known as soda bread. It’s a great compliment to almost all typical Albanian food dishes and it’s very inexpensive.
Don’t be surprised to find this being served at every meal, including with most traditional Albanian breakfast food.
21. Salce Kosi
This is like what tzatziki is in Greece; this is a dip made from yoghurt and garlic. It’s great with grilled meat, Greek salad and bread.
It’s sour, simple and delicious, and a great accompaniment to lots of Albania recipes.
22. Japrak (Wrapped Vine LEaves)
If you have been to Greece, then this dish may look similar and that’s because it is! Japrak is minced lamb, rice, herbs and cooked until tender. I highly recommend tasting Japrak.
For those who want to try traditional food in Albania, but don’t eat meat, you can usually get the vegetarian variation (dolma) depending on where you are.
The vegetarian version is the same, but without the lamb.
23. Qifqi (Vegetable Risotto Balls)
This is a dish which comes from the UNESCO city of Gjirokastër (only an hour from Saranda).
If you want Albanian vegetarian food, this traditional Albanian food is essentially vegetable risotto balls.
Egg, rice and herbs are mixed together then cooked into deep fried balls. They are a great compliment to other Albanian dishes, and are especially good with some Salce Kosi or grilled meat.
24. Qumeshtor (Milk Pie)
Qumeshtor is unique to Albanian food. It is basically a byrek, but you may be surprised because this one is sweet! It’s made with milk, eggs and vanilla. It tastes similar to custard.
25. Byrek me Kungell (with Pumpkin)
This particular Albanian byrek is made with mashed pumpkin and its delicious. It’s sort of sweet but savoury at the same time. A perfect snack or even meal!
26. Djathë i Bardhë (Baked Cheese)
This is exactly what the translation is, baked cheese! White cheese is also known as feta and is baked with olive oil, herbs and sometimes olives or tomato and pepper.
It’s a great compliment to your dinner or a good appetizer to have with bread.
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Albanian Desserts
27. Baklava
Although this isn’t a traditional Albanian food (this dessert comes from Turkey), it tastes delicious and should be tried while you’re travelling Albania!
Baklava is a sweet dessert with layers of crispy Albanian pastry filled with honey, walnuts and many delicious things!
This is one of my favourite Albanian sweets and shouldn’t be missed!
28. Petulla
Petulla is like little fried doughnuts or churro balls. It’s usually served with honey or chocolate sauce.
Along the Albanian Riviera, you will usually find people walking up and down the beaches selling these little treats!
There are similar treats all over the Balkans, but Petulla is a traditional Albanian dessert. It’s one of those Albania dessert recipes you should try and make at home.
29. Kadaif
Kadaif is a sweet and crispy Albanian dessert which looks like it has hair on top! It’s also made with filo pastry like Baklava. Fortunately, these traditional Albanian desserts are simple to make.
The filo pastry is shredded to make it’s strange texture. It’s very sweet, like a lot of Albanian desserts and contains walnuts with a syrup which makes up most of the dessert.
This is one of the most unique Albanian sweets, but it’s hard not to love!
30. Shendetli
This is a sweet honey biscuit cake and again, walnuts! Seems to be a popular theme with Albanian dessert recipes.
It’s soft but a little hard and very sweet. Another one of the most delicious Albanian traditional desserts to try!
31. Sultjash
Sultjash is a creamy rice pudding which contains rice (duh), milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon and cardamom.
I find this a nice change to the other Albanian desserts as it’s not as sweet but it’s just sweet enough!
32. Kabuni
This Albanian dessert is another rice-based pudding but with raisins, cinnamon, almonds, cloves, brown sugar and sometimes mutton broth. It’s a darker dessert and not creamy like Sultjash.
Drinks in Albania
33. Raki
When you come to Albania you will probably be forced to try raki at some point. This is a popular drink throughout the Balkans and a very important part of Albanian cuisine.
Usually, it tastes similar depending on what region you are in.
It’s a distilled alcohol made from fruit (usually grapes but it’s made form lots of other fruits too!). It’s very strong, you may not be able to drink it all!
In Albania, you will notice the older men having their morning coffee with a shot of raki. Although it’s not downed like a shot, you should sip it!
Raki is believed to be healthy, good for the heart, which is why the old men drink it. It’s also used in hospitals as an antiseptic and for a whole lot of other medical issues.
Basically, if you have anything wrong with you, you should drink a glass of raki. It’s the Albanian way!
34. Dhalle
Dhalle is a sour yoghurt drink like the Turkish drink ayran. Albanians usually have this with a byrek or if you’re eating something spicy then this is your best friend!
You should try the byrek and Dhalle combo. It’s a staple of Albania cuisine and a match made in heaven!
35. Bozë
This is a simple Albanian drink containing corn flour, wheat flour, sugar and water. Bozë is an ancient drink influenced by Ottomans. It’s a sort of brown/yellow colour.
36. Expresso
Expresso is an integral part of Albanian cuisine. Did you know that Albania has the most coffee shops per capita than any other country in the world? Albanians love coffee.
Going to a café is usually not a 10-minute deal like you might see in the other countries. Sitting down, having an expresso is an art form in Albania.
Many can sit up for hours, drinking coffee, catching up with friends and enjoying life (or the Albanians have told me it’s because they have nothing else to do).
I’m not sure which one but whatever it is, I’m down for it. An expresso only costs 50 lek at my local coffee shop.
Just like seafood, I didn’t drink coffee before I came to Albania so that’s another testament on how good the coffee is!
37. Albanian Beer
You can find some local Albanian beer, the most popular being Korca which is made in the city of Korca – wow who would have thought?!
They make a couple of different beers, a light and a dark. I don’t normally like dark beers but this one I don’t mind, it’s delicious.
38. Albanian Wine
Like coffee, wine is an important part of Albanian cuisine and culture. That’s because Albanians have been making wine for thousands of years.
They have some of the best climate and terrain for grape growing, grapes are everywhere in the summer!
One of the best places to taste local wine is a winery called Cabo, in Berat. Here you can have tastings and they even have a platter option so you can snack and learn about their wine.
39. Tea
Just like raki, tea is used for many medical problems. In Albania, there is a tea for every sort of problem you could have.
One of the most popular is Sideritis also known as mountain tea because it’s grown in the mountains. This tea is everywhere, there’s so much that you probably would never have to buy it.
Another popular Albanian tea is cherry tail tea which helps with an array of problems too and is a little sweet and a little bitter.
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Other Popular Food (Not Albanian)
Other food that you will find popular in Albania includes Pizza, Pasta, Russian salad and chicken fillet with mushroom sauce. Although these are not typically Albanian food, these are made for tourists.
In saying that I highly recommend you do try the pizza and pasta in Albania. I have had better pizza here than I have had in Italy.
This is because a large amount of Albanians moved to Italy and brought back the art of making the most delicious pizza and pasta!
Being Vegan/Vegetarian in Albania
Is being a vegan/vegetarian hard in Albania? What do Albanians eat if they’re vegetarian?
Are there Albanian vegetarians in the first place?
As you can probably tell meat and dairy are a staple to the Albanian diet. But vegetarian Albanian food does exist!
As a vegetarian, you will find traditional Albanian food like fergese, fasule and byrek are your best friend.
You will notice Albanians have a salad with everything so there’s usually good salad options (Greek or Albanian salad is the most popular and always delicious).
Also, grilled vegetables are a staple so there is that option, but you are certainly limited on Albanian dishes.
While Albanian vegetarian recipes are easy to come by, if you’re a vegan, it’s going to be hard because nearly every Albanian dish is made with dairy or other animal products.
The friends I have that are vegan stuck with fresh fruit (which is so juicy and the best in the world!) and lots of fresh salads.
Vegan Albanian restaurants are hard to come by; hopefully in the future that will change! You may find one in the capital of Tirana.
Frequently Asked Questions
The byrek is an exceedingly popular traditional Albania food. It comes in many varieties, both sweet and savoury.
The Albanian Riviera has some of the best and freshest seafood dishes in the world, including mussels, shrimps, calamari and plenty of other delicious fish recipes.
Raki is the most popular alcoholic drink in Albania. It’s believed to be good for you when you’re unwell, and it’s very strong!
While the traditional food in Albania is very meat heavy, there is some Albanian vegetarian food. The best Albania cuisine for vegetarians is grilled vegetables, fergese, fasule and byrek.
Yes, there are lots of similarities between traditional Albanian food and Turkish food, with many dishes being the same or slightly different. Sometimes the only difference is the name of the dish (though many dishes share the same name across cultures). Albania cuisine is also very similar to traditional Greek food and Cypriot food, as well as other Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Croatia.
So, there was your round-up of the best traditional Albanian food, tell me below which of these delicious Albanian dishes you would love to try and which ones you think you will be avoiding!
Other articles you will love:
- The Best Summer and Music Festivals in Albania
- Albania Travel Guide for First Timers: Everything You Need to Know!
- Visiting Butrint, Albania: One of Albania’s Best UNESCO Sites
- Incredible Cities in Albania to Explore
- Lessons I learned from living in Albania
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The Comments
Shawn
Being a vegetarian in Albania is difficult- vegan is hard! We ope ed a restaurant in Saranda to make sure folks had options. As a vegetarian I understand the struggle. Our food is not traditional Albanian but we do make everything from bio local ingredients. You can find us on TripAdvisor or Facebook as Salad Farm Saranda. Come and visit. Let us know Anita sent you;)
Bota
Thank you so so much for your blogs on Albania – these are so insightful and helpful. I’m from Kazakhstan and love Turkish airan (we also call it airan in Kazakh and kefir in Russian) and it’s so great to hear that Albania has its own version dhalle. Looking forward to try it! I take it, dhalle will be easily available in local shops?
Once again, thank you for your blogs on Albania – beautifully written!