ExploFood · Europe
What to eat in Albania
Five dishes to try in Albania, the most typical first. Four are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Albania
Tavë kosi
Baked lamb and rice under a tangy yoghurt and egg custard.
How to have it: Originally from Elbasan; traditional restaurants bring it in the clay dish it was baked in.
Byrek
Flaky filo pie usually filled with cheese, spinach or leeks.
How to have it: Bought warm from a byrektore for breakfast; pair it with a glass of dhallë (salted yoghurt drink).
Fërgesë
Peppers and tomatoes baked with salty cottage cheese.
How to have it: Fërgesë Tirane is the classic; scoop it up with bread as a starter or light meal.
Qifqi
Rice balls with egg, mint and spices, fried in a special pan.
How to have it: A specialty of Gjirokastër; look for it in the restaurants of the old bazaar there.
Raki
Clear grape or plum brandy, often homemade.
How to have it: Offered as a welcome to guests; sip it slowly with meze and say gëzuar.
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Questions
What food is Albania famous for?
Tavë kosi (baked lamb and rice under a tangy yoghurt and egg custard) comes first on our list, followed by Byrek, Fërgesë, Qifqi and Raki.
What is the national dish of Albania?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Albania is Tavë kosi: baked lamb and rice under a tangy yoghurt and egg custard. Originally from Elbasan; traditional restaurants bring it in the clay dish it was baked in.
Which dishes in Albania are vegetarian?
Four of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Byrek, Fërgesë, Qifqi and Raki. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Albania?
Byrek (flaky filo pie usually filled with cheese, spinach or leeks).
What do people drink in Albania?
Raki: clear grape or plum brandy, often homemade.
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.