Azul by Havana in Dhërmi, Albania

Azul by Havana is a beachfront restaurant on Dhërmi Beach that positions itself between a relaxed Riviera lunch spot and a more polished evening dining venue. Current listings consistently place it at Plazhi i Dhërmiut and classify the menu around European, Italian, fusion and seafood cooking. It is a good match for travellers who want a sea-view table, cocktails and a broader menu than a traditional taverna. The main limitation is price and expectation: current listings place it toward the more expensive end of Dhërmi dining, so it makes sense to read the menu carefully and confirm any market-priced seafood before ordering.

The venue’s claimed Tripadvisor profile describes Azul as a fine-dining concept by Havana and emphasises the sunset view. That branding is useful because it explains the tone: Azul is not trying to be a rustic inland restaurant. The setting is part of what guests are paying for, with the beach, evening light and social atmosphere forming a large part of the experience. Current listings also report outdoor seating, reservations, parking and Wi-Fi, making the restaurant practical for visitors who want to stay through sunset rather than stop only for a quick plate.

Food is broad but leans strongly toward seafood and contemporary Mediterranean combinations. Current restaurant directories classify Azul under European, fusion, Italian and seafood, while the claimed business profile markets it around a more elevated gastronomic experience. User-uploaded menu material shows enough variety to suggest that the restaurant is not restricted to one cuisine, but those menu images are not a reliable basis for quoting current prices or promising individual dishes. A better strategy is to decide first whether you want seafood, pasta or another main course, then ask what is especially fresh or seasonal that day.

Seafood deserves extra attention because pricing can vary according to species and weight. Dhërmi’s better-known beachfront restaurants often sell premium fish or shellfish differently from fixed-price pasta and starters. Azul’s current price bands are notably higher than many casual restaurants in the area, with Restaurant Guru placing it in an upper range. That does not mean every meal will be expensive, but travellers should not assume that a plate of fish is priced like a standard menu main. Asking for the total or per-kilogram price before preparation is the simplest way to avoid surprise.

The restaurant currently lists daily hours from morning until late evening. Several independent sources agree on an opening around 09:00 and closing around 23:30, while Tripadvisor extends the close slightly later. Because the difference is small, the practical conclusion is straightforward: Azul serves through the main breakfast-to-dinner period in season, but anyone arriving near closing should check whether the kitchen is still taking full orders. The venue’s strongest moment is often sunset, and that also means the most desirable tables can be in demand. Reservations make sense for a specific evening rather than relying on a walk-in at peak time.

For a relaxed dinner, allow about two hours. Lunch can be shorter, especially if the restaurant is being used as part of a Dhërmi Beach day. Current listings report takeaway as well, although the seafront location means the venue’s main value comes from eating there rather than treating it as a collection point. Parking is reported, but summer congestion around the beach strip can still make a car less convenient than walking from nearby accommodation. Guests staying in old Dhërmi village face the same steep difference in elevation that affects most trips to the main beach.

The atmosphere is better suited to people who enjoy a social beach scene than to travellers seeking a quiet traditional dining room. Azul’s branding, cocktail emphasis and sunset positioning point toward a stylish, lively experience. Recent visitor reviews are generally positive about food and the setting, but individual accounts naturally vary on value and service. Those comments are useful as a reminder that a higher price band does not guarantee a flawless evening. Booking a table, asking about current specials and clarifying fish pricing remain sensible even at a well-known venue.

Accessibility is not clearly documented in authoritative sources. Outdoor seating and beach-level positioning can make parts of the venue appear straightforward, but that should not be translated into a claim of wheelchair access. Beachfront sites can have decking, steps, uneven paving or seasonal furniture layouts. Travellers with mobility needs should contact Azul and ask specifically about the route from parking or road level to the dining area and toilet. The same applies to families using strollers, especially during crowded evening periods.

Azul by Havana is most worthwhile when the objective is an occasion-style beachfront meal rather than the cheapest dinner in Dhërmi. It combines a prominent beach location, late daily hours, seafood and fusion influences with the sunset-and-cocktail atmosphere associated with the modern Albanian Riviera. The trade-off is that the experience is more curated and potentially more expensive than a simple taverna meal. Check the current menu, reserve for sunset if the view matters, and confirm any variable seafood price before ordering. Used that way, Azul offers a clear, specific type of Dhërmi evening rather than trying to represent every style of local dining.