Food & Drinks in Albania

Restaurants are quite easy to come by. The cuisine of Albania, like the rest of the Balkans, is greatly inspired by Turkish cuisine. The region’s 400-year Ottoman domination has had an influence. Following the fall of communism in the early 1990s, Italy and Western Europe in general have had a recent impact. Albania will have access to the bulk of what is available in neighboring countries like as Greece and Italy, particularly in larger cities.
Many individuals grow fruits and vegetables in their backyards, particularly red, black, and green grapes, which are used to make raki.
Albania is a hilly country, and the olive trees that thrive there influence Albanian cuisine. Fresh tomatoes and onions are often used in salads. Although most Albanians prepare their own bread, dining out is also popular.
The majority of Albanian meals include a big stew. These stews are easy to make and may be made with a variety of ingredients. Potatoes, onions, rice, and other cereals are among them.
If you visit Albania, you can expect lamb to be the main dish at many restaurants. Lamb is reared in a natural way and does not stink as it does in the United States. Try two byreks and an ayran for breakfast to learn why it’s so popular.

• Byrek –  Another popular dish is byrek, a savory pie that may be made in a number of ways. Using spinach and feta cheese is one technique. Ground beef and onion are another choice. The national dish, Byrek Shqiptar me perime, is sometimes referred to as Byrek Shqiptar me perime.
• Tavë kosi – This dish consists of roasted lamb, rice, and a yogurt sauce. It’s often referred to be Albania’s national dish.
• Qofte të fërguara – Albanian fried meatballs with feta cheese. Served with fried potatoes or rice, as is customary.
• Cheese – a wide range of cheeses, primarily feta. Expect your cheese to be delivered in a less hygienic way than at a supermarket, but it’s worth a shot since it’s typically good and cheaply priced (try those higher priced first). “Gjirofarma” feta cheese is similar to Greek feta cheese, but somewhat more expensive. This cheese is served in most restaurants in Albania, notably in Tirana and the south. It’s really excellent, and it’s one of Albania’s few cheese exports.

Desserts and snacks – Don’t miss the various pastry shops (pastiçeri) that provide a wide variety of scrumptious pastries, such as delectable cakes and:

• Baklava is a famous dessert that is always served on New Year’s Eve.
• Oshaf – Pudding with fig and sheep’s milk