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
Explore Tirana like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Tirana guide.
"Piramida" is the ultimate meeting place in the center of Tirana and one of the best spots to chill with a beer. It means different things for everyone...
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
Mullixhiu is one of the first restaurants that started the farm-to-table movement in Tirana, and it offers a tasting menu with a traditional touch.
By
"Gelato la Nocciola" is an ice cream shop I really like in Tirana. They use the typical Italian methods to create their flavors. It's really worth it!
By
"Le Chateau" in Tirana is a recently opened coffee shop near Kavaja street - come here to experience Parisian vibes and try some classic board games!
By
"Kapelet" is a new restaurant in Tirana with 1500 hats in the ceiling! It has an amazing view over the whole city, and the food is well cooked...
By
"D'Angelo Chocolate & Coffee" in Tirana offers without a doubt the city's finest. I love the pistachio waffle stick, and the seats are very comfortable!
By
165 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 165 Insider Tips from our local Spotters