Experience Cafe Culture At These 15 Top Cafes In Albania (2024)

Usually, cafes are places where people go to have a drink and then move on with their day, but they have a whole different meaning for Albanians. The Albanian definition of a “cafe” is this: a place where you can relax, read, study, work, hang out with friends and family, etc. Albanians frequent cafes an average of 3 times a day to relax and connect with family and friends. Cafe culture is a way of life in Albania.

It is more about the location than about coffee and drinks. Proximity to home, work, and school is also very important to Albanians. Some cafes are socially acceptable to visit and some that are not, but those walls are crumbling or at least less of a factor as time goes by.

Number 9 and Number 2 are very special to me. I asked my wife to marry me at Kompleksi Kristalina in 2010, and Bar Agron is the café we have visited the most in Tirana. They both stand up on their own and separate from my personal experiences. Bar Agron is a perfect representation of a high-end neighbor café that locals visit more than once daily.

So, what are the best cafes where Albanians basically “live”? We’ve considered many factors, including location, value for a traveler, service, etc.

1. Komiteti – Tirana

Komiteti Kafe Muzeum is a museum in a coffee shop. As weird as it may sound, this is a great and unique idea to get people to notice you amid a galaxy of cafes, as Albania is. The place’s interior design is inspired by the communist era in Albania: the furniture, the walls, the selling of the special candy that was very famous in 1970-1990 in Albania called “karamele Zana” and even the toilet (it’s true).

“Raki & Dashni” (Raki & Love) is their motto. Raki is the most famous and traditional alcoholic drink in Albania, and Komiteti is the only place where you can choose between 18 different types. The staff is very willing to explain the history behind all the different objects inside the coffee shop. Komiteti is the number one place for nostalgic Albanians. The café’s location is near the center, thus making it perfect for anyone to find it.

2. Bar Agron – Tirana

Bar Agron is a coffee shop located at “Fusha e Aviacionit”, Tirana. “The Aviation Field” is now turned into a park, where thousands of people flood the location every day. The area is tranquil, and the service is wonderful. You will find anything a variety of options, whether cold drinks in the hot summer or hot teas, coffees, and chocolates during winter.

Park View Home is a very nice place to stay if you are interested in staying in Tirana without the noise of being downtown and it is very close to Bar Agron.

3. Sky Tower – Tirana

Sky Tower is one of the best locations to have a drink. The cafe is located on top of “Sky Tower Hotel,” thus allowing a clear and fantastic view of the city of Tirana.

Sky Tower is also a restaurant. The menu is similar to other bar-restaurant, but what makes Sky Tower special is the view that it offers. Click here to see information about staying at Sky Tower Hotel.

Please note Sky restaurant is under reconstruction now, but it will probably reopen very soon.

4. Mulliri i Vjeter – Tirana

Mulliri i Vjeter is one of the best cafes in Albania. You can find so many different branches of Mulliri everywhere in Tirana. The place is very friendly and has an attractive design. There are many different types of people that frequent Mulliri i Vjeter, from babies to the elderly, students, and freelance workers.

The thing to remember is that Mulliri is self-service. Self-service is not typical in Albania. The menu is extensive and includes every drink that you can imagine. A branch called “Mulliri Plus” is located where the train station used to be, which offers a food menu. It is worth checking it out.

5. Mon Cheri – Tirana

Mon Cheri is a similar cafe to Mulliri i Vjeter. They have many branches across Tirana, but unlike Mulliri, Mon Cheri is not self-service. The service is excellent, and the menu they provide includes many incredible drinks. It is a friendly place to hang out with friends and family.

6. Noor – Tirana

Noor is a unique place. It is located next to the Plaza Hotel in the center of Tirana. It is full of people aged 16 to 40, offering a beautiful balcony to their guests. The décor is very upbeat and modern.

The service is excellent, and the place is friendly. They offer many good co*cktails and cold drinks, thus being a perfect cafe during summertime.

7. Taiwan – Tirana

Taiwan is a place where your kids can have fun playing at the park while you enjoy your coffee at the same time. Located very close to the center, next to the Orthodox cathedral, Taiwan is one of the most famous cafes in Tirana.

The playground is enormous, and so is the cafe. You can eat and drink in Taiwan. The service is really good, and the prices are not bad at all. The environment is perfect for families but also has something for everyone. They also have a bowling alley in the basem*nt.

8. Real Scampis Elbasan Castle

Real Scampis is the most featured place to hang out for a family event in Elbasan. It is located inside the Elbasan Castle and offers a hotel, restaurant, pizzeria, and cafe bar.

The environment is very friendly and comfortable to hang out with family and friends. The service is exceptionally good, and they have live music performances also. Real Scampis hosts different events, concerts, and conference meetings. If you are visiting the city of Elbasan, then Real Scampis is a must!!

9. Kompleksi Kristal – Vlora

Kompleksi Kristal is very unique in Vlora. The location is built on a dock that jets out on the water. The beautiful beach view and the friendly people make it very attractive for visitors. The prices are reasonable, and the service is very good. You can have various drinks and meals, as it is one of the most visited places in Vlora, especially during summertime.

Our top picks for accommodations in the area are; Hotel Nimfa, Hotel New York or if you are looking for an apartment try Belleview.

If you’re up for a little sightseeing try: Speed Boat Trip to Sazan and Karaburun.

10. Kuzum Baba – Vlora

If you are looking for a wonderful view on top of the city of Vlora, Kuzum Baba is the right place to go. This is one of the most visited café/restaurants in Vlora.

The fantastic view attracts many visitors every year. The service is very good, and the food is always delicious. The trek to the top of the hill is also not for the faint of heart. If you are up for a bit of exercise, a trip to the top can be a great way to start your day!

11. Casa Gace – Korca

Are you looking for a tranquil place to hang out with family and friends? Would you like to enjoy your drinks and enjoy traditional Albanian music?

Casa Gace is the most famous place in Korca for traditional Albanian food and live music performances. It is situated on a hill that allows you to see all of Korca while enjoying your beverage of choice. There is also a great view of the cross on Morava Mountain from Casa Gace.

Plan a stay at Casa Gace.

12. Hotel George

Hotel George is another featured play to stay in Korca. It offers a hotel and with bar-restaurant. A children’s playground is also present, which makes Hotel George a very family-friendly place.

The service is available 24 hours a day which is amazing for anyone that decides to stay there. The menu offers a variety of food and drinks. Hotel George is known for the quality of its traditional Albanian dishes.

Plan a stay at Hotel George.

13. Komiteti – Korca

Another Komiteti Kafe, that’s right. The cafe museum “Komiteti” is located in a very convenient place in the city of Korca. The service is so good that they will even offer you different raki types (the traditional Albanian alcoholic drink).

The food is excellent, drinks are enjoyable, affordable prices, and the design is the best in the city. You won’t find a more nostalgic cafe in Albania than Komiteti.

Consider a day trip tour to Pogradec and Korca which includes Drilon Nation Park if you haven’t been to the eastern part of Albania.

14. Kosherja – Tirana

Kosherja is a hidden cafe in Tirana but still pretty famous. It is located near “Kosova school”. The place has instrumental music in the background and it is very comfortable for hanging out with friends and family or even couples who are dating.

The level of quality is high-end, and the service is impressive. Kosherja has an extensive menu of traditional food and drinks, but I recommend their watermelon co*cktail in the summertime! If you are looking for a quiet evening, you should try Kosherja.

15. Stolia – Shkodra

Open 7 am to 7 pm, Stolia is the friendliest café you will find in the city. It is located right at the beginning of the pedestrian street, next to Colosseo Hotel. The service is exceptionally excellent, and the staff speaks multiple foreign languages.

The rumor is they have the best cappuccino in the city, but their other drinks are delicious. The menu that they offer is not very large, but if you want something small and fancy for breakfast, their toasts are the best!

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As you can see, it is not easy to pick out cafes in Albania, as they are so many, and they are all unique. One thing we can say for all of them: they all aim to bring family and friends to enjoy a drink together.

The cafe culture is a way of living in Albania. I don’t think there can be an Albanian person who doesn’t frequent a cafe at least once a day. (Not exaggerating!)

I hope that this article has helped you get to know some of the most famous and featured cafes in Albania so that next time you visit Albania, you know where to enjoy a drink with family and friends. If you have visited Albania in the past and feel we’ve missed a great café, leave us a comment below.