Cafe Botanica Tirana
Good vibes and people watching
At the top of Skanderbeg Square in the middle of the city, you will see the Opera and Ballet House, which houses a number of bars and restaurants, all with their own charm and style. A personal favourite of mine is Café Botanica.
As there is always something happening at Skenderbeg Square, Botanica has made the most of its perfect position for people watching by directing its outdoor seating towards the main square. You do not, however feel too overwatched sitting outside, as being on the steps of the opera provides some shelter. The vibe inside is also very cool, with a maximalist mix of industrial bareness and nature, making it a great instagrammable spot.
Any time of day, Botanica is full of people both inside and out enjoying the cool chilled vibes. As is the case for a lot of Tirana’s eateries, Café Botanica is a Jack of all trades; you can easily pop in in the morning for a coffee or juice, at lunch or dinner for a full meal, or in the evening for a cocktail.
As is obvious from my notes above, I love Café Botanica for a number of reasons, but another main one is the level of service – the waiting staff are always on hand and ready for anything you might need to ask them, there is no waiting around for someone to notice you, which really makes a huge difference to any dining experience.
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