Tirana's culinary scene is a delightful blend of flavors, drawing inspiration from Greek, Mediterranean, Islamic, and Ottoman cuisines.

Here's a mouthwatering guide to the top 10 traditional Albanian dishes you simply can't miss:

Baklava

Treat yourself to a sweet delight with layers of phyllo dough, honey, and chopped walnuts, offering a taste of Turkish-inspired indulgence. Baklava has its origins in Turkish cuisine. Average Cost: €2.00

Main Ingredients: Phyllo dough, honey, chopped walnuts

There are many variations of the baklava dessert: some make it only with almonds or pistachios, some add sugar or spices. Like with all traditional recipes, each family has its own version passed down from generation to generation.

Byrek

Enjoy a savory pie experience with layers of thin puff pastry filled with minced meat and flavorful vegetables like leek and spinach. Byrek is influenced by Turkish culinary traditions.

Average Cost: €2.00

Main Ingredients: Yufka (thin puff pastry), minced meat, vegetables

Dolma

Delight in rolls of meat, rice, and oriental spices wrapped in vine leaves, offering a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Dolma has its roots in Middle Eastern and Ottoman cuisines.

Average Cost: €5.00

Main Ingredients: Vine leaves, rice, meat, spices

Kadaif

Indulge in a picturesque dessert featuring noodles soaked in a sweet mixture of honey and sugar, delivering a delightful culinary experience. Kadaif is a popular sweet treat in Albanian, Ottoman, and Turkish cuisines.

Average Cost: €2.00

Main Ingredients: Kadaif noodles, honey, butter, sugar

Meze

Start your culinary journey with a delightful array of appetizers featuring cheese, olives, and savory vegetable purees. Perfect for whetting your appetite before the main course. Meze originated from Greek and Turkish culinary traditions.

Average Cost: €3.00

Main Ingredients: Cheese, yogurt, olives

Shishkebab

Savor succulent meat skewers, typically lamb or beef, infused with aromatic spices and grilled to perfection over an open flame. This dish traces its roots back to Arab culinary traditions.

Average Cost: €5.00

Main Ingredients: Lamb, beef, coriander

Tasqebap

Relish a hearty stew made with tender veal, white wine, and tomato pulp, served with peppers and crusty bread for a satisfying meal. Tasqebap is a beloved Albanian dish.

Average Cost: €4.30

Main Ingredients: Veal, tomato, white wine, peppers, bread

Tave dheu

Dive into the flavors of "terracotta meat," a hearty dish featuring tender meat and vegetables, enriched with Albanian ricotta. Tave dheu is a quintessential Albanian dish.

Average Cost: €4.00

Main Ingredients: Veal, gjizë (Albanian ricotta), tomatoes, onion

Tave kosi

Treat your taste buds to a unique dish of lamb and yogurt, inspired by Greek and Middle Eastern influences, offering a delicious journey of flavors. Tave kosi is a staple dish in Albanian cuisine.

Average Cost: €7.00

Main Ingredients: Lamb, yogurt, eggs

Ballokume

Celebrate Spring Day with these delectable biscuits made from corn flour, eggs, and icing sugar, embodying simplicity and goodness. Ballokume is a traditional Albanian treat enjoyed on special occasions.

Average Cost: €0.50

Main Ingredients: Corn flour, eggs, icing sugar

These culinary delights represent the essence of Albanian gastronomy, inviting you to enjoy a flavorful adventure in Tirana. Experience the rich tapestry of Albanian cuisine with myTour in Albania. Bon appétit!