The Best Traditional Albanian Dishes For Vegetarians

I had heard that travelling through the Balkans can be tough for vegetarians and vegans, but honestly speaking, I didn’t struggle too much. Sure, traditional Albanian dishes are very meat heavy but a number of their local dishes have always been vegetarian which is great news for us non-carnivores. 

If you fall into the same category as me, you will be pleased to read that more restaurants in Tirana are catering to veggie needs by offering more diverse menus too. Whether or not you like Albanian traditional foods though, is another matter entirely. 

I always strive to try as much traditional local food as I can when I travel. Whether that is dishes that are traditionally vegetarian or veganised versions of local food. I must admit that Albanian cuisine didn’t blow me away, but taste is subjective – so here’s a run down of dishes you should try when visit the capital.

Patëllxhanë të mbushur me perime

Patëllxhanë të mbushur me perime translates to ‘stuffed eggplant with vegetables’ and reminded me of the Turkish version called Imam Biyaldi. Stuffed aubergine is a very popular dish across several Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and European countries that were once under the Ottoman Empire.

While I am not a huge lover of aubergine, when in Rome (or in this instance, Tirana), I had to try it.

I ordered this after being told it is the most popular vegan Albanian food and I have to say it was deliciously rich and comforting. 

The aubergine (or eggplant) is sliced in half lengthways, hollowed out and stuffed with some mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce, before being baked in the oven.

This is a very filling main course; rich, herby and tomatoey goodness but I personally could have done with some chilli sauce for a bit more flavour. 

Sometimes patëllxhanë të mbushur is stuffed with meat, so it’s always best to check whether you are ordering the veggie version, if you are that way inclined.

Stuffed peppers are another typical Albanian dish which is naturally vegetarian. Similarly to the stuffed aubergine, peppers are stuffed with vegetables and rice too.

Byrek

Byrek, otherwise known as börek in Turkey and burek in other Balkan countries can either be a starter, a snack or a breakfast staple.

However it is spelled, the recipe is pretty much the same across the board; layers of filo pastry filled with vegetables, meat, cheese, or a combination of all three.

Byrek is very typical in all Balkan countries and dates back to the Ottoman Empire. In Albania, byrek is traditionally filled with cheese and tomato, cheese and spinach or meat. 

My personal favourite was cheese and spinach, and the crispier, the better.

Lakror 

Lakror is an Albanian pie, very similar to byrek in terms of the fillings, but the main difference is that the pie is made of batter instead of filo pastry and the portion sizes are often larger.

I had a spinach and cheese pie, which is known both as lakror and byrek me spinaq (spinach pie). The pie is cooked in a large pan in the oven and then cut into squares, triangles or rectangles for serving.

While spinach and feta cheese are a match made in heaven, I found this particular pie to be quite earthy for my liking.

Fërgesë

Fërgesë is a staple in traditional Albanian cuisine. It is a combination of cottage cheese or curd cheese, red peppers and tomatoes.

I believe this is traditionally cooked with either milk or yogurt, but I’m not completely sure. This dish really wasn’t for me. I despise the texture of cottage cheese or scrambled egg anyway, so I was slightly horrified when this came out. I am grateful the waiter for suggesting we order a half portion when we placed our order.

One bite was more than enough for me. I could barely look at it without feeling queasy, never mind eat any more. 

Fërgesë is usually served with fresh bread (we were served focaccia alongside this) but it can also be eaten on it’s own.

Where is the best place to try traditional Albanian food in Tirana?

Whether you eat meat, are a vegetarian or vegan, Oda Traditional Albanian Restaurant is the best place to try Albanian cuisine in Tirana. 

This family run eatery has earned a well deserved reputation as being the best place to taste authentic Albanian food. 

The restaurant exudes a welcoming ambience with its cosy vibes, traditional decor and inviting outdoor seating complete with patio heaters for when the temperature drops. You can dine outdoors, surrounded by all the lime and olive trees.

They serve hearty dishes which are the perfect introduction to traditional Albanian cuisine.

Location: Rruga Riza Jasa, Tiranë, Albania

Should you tip in Albania?

Tipping is not required in Albania, but it is appreciated and a way to show gratitude for good service – particularly as salaries are very low there. 

You can round up the bill if you want to, but tipping culture isn’t the norm in Albania. I noticed most restaurants didn’t have the option to add a tip when paying by card either, so it’s advisable to carry some cash.

Does Tirana have any food and drink tours?

There are a number of food and drink tours in Tirana, depending on your preference. You can choose from a guided tour to explore the cuisine or immerse yourself in a cooking class to make the dishes yourself.

There are so many great bars in Tirana too, if thats more your thing, and so bar crawls are very popular here.

What is the national dish of Albania?

The national dish of Albania is tavë kosi, which is essentially lamb baked with rice and a yogurt sauce, topped with an egg and a sprinkling of nutmeg.

Occasionally, this dish is made with chicken instead of lamb, which is called tavë kosi me mish pule.