This one is for those of you who really want to feel like a local! Located in the heart of Tirana’s Qyteti Studenti (Student City), Mensa Hamburg provides comfort food for all.
I was recently introduced to this quaint little cafeteria serving the most warming and delicious home-cooked meals by a team of missionaries from Norway who had made it their local during their time in Tirana. The simple cafeteria is nostalgic and takes you back to simpler times. I would note that none of the staff speaks English, so make sure you have a local or Google translate to hand if you don’t speak Albanian.
While I have described a lot of places in Tirana as serving traditional food, generally, the other areas tend to provide still very tasty but more ‘fancy’ versions of dishes; I say this with love, but this is not something that Mensa does at all! The food here is simple - classic dishes cooked to perfection by the team of grandmas behind the hatch and served as you would at home with no bells and whistles.
The food at Mensa is also very reasonable - on my most recent visit, I tucked into a bowl of Tasqebap, pilaf and turns, and I don’t think I spent a penny over 600lek.
8RCM+GPQ
Lek
no-price
"Proper Pizza" is the most famous pizza in Tirana. Between different combinations, I always prefer the spicy ones, so I'll always go for Pizza Loca...
By
"COD", or the Centre for Openness and Dialogue in Tirana, is a new initiative in Albanian cultural life. I love coming here to work or curl up with a book.
By
"Oda" in Tirana is a typical 'museum restaurant' -- the whole decoration has a lot to say about Albanian customs and traditions. Suitable for vegetarians!
By
"Nona (plot me Gjona)" in Tirana is a cafe and buffet kind of restaurant I visit when I'm hungry and in a hurry. I just hope my grandma never reads this!
By
The cakes, cheesecakes, and cupcakes are all made with hand-picked ingredients from all over the world, and have some interesting flavor combinations.
By
This 23rd-floor bar is a hidden gem, offering a breathtaking view of the entire city, especially at night when the city lights illuminate the skyline.
By
"Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar" is one of the newest steakhouse and rooftop bars in Tirana! Kind of reminds me of Terraza Aperol in Milano...
By
"Bar My Way" in Tirana is my definitely my go-to bar. Inexpensive drinks, well-prepared, simple snacks, polite waiters, animal friendliness... what more?!
By
"Bonaparte Wine Bar" in Tirana is my favorite hidden, cosy, refreshing bar! I like to refer to its wine menu as classic. They've got great variety, too!
By
"Kosherja" in Tirana is a tapas restaurant shaped like a beehive on one of the city's best-known streets & frequented by the city's youth!
By
Our Spotters' Local Favorites Only. Skip the Tourist Traps.
Find Nearby Spots and Navigate with Ease
Save Your Favorites and See Them on the Map