The 10 Best Restaurants in and around Durrës

Durres › The 10 Best Restaurants in and around Durrës

From traditional Mediterranean restaurants and flavours to modern fusion cuisine, Durres offers a variety of top-notch places to eat that guarantee a memorable dining experience.

Table of Contents

The 10 Best Restaurants in and around Durrës

Durrës, a charming coastal city right on the Adriatic Sea, is a seafood lover’s paradise. So, let’s have a look at some of the best restaurants in Durrës to make your holidays in Albania a culinary delight.

Pastarella – The Best Seafood restaurant in Durrës

This is my overall favourite restaurant. It feels fancy, but is still reasonably priced. Staff are attentive staff and not shy to help you out with recommendations. You will find many seafood pastas and dishes here, fish soup, crudo salads, vegetarian croquettes and mussels along with a great selection of mainly Itralian wines to accompany your dining experience.

The restaurant entrance is located on the side of the building, and you have to take the elevator up. Great views of the harbour area guaranteed.

• Address: Rruga Taulantia, Durrës 2003, Albania

2 Kitarrat Aromë Deti – Dining right by the sea

This is one of the rarer places in Albania where the food is just delicious, the music is amazing, and the staff is very welcoming and careful. Located right by the sea, with great ambiance, the restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sun setting behind the sea. Live music starts at 8pm here most of the days.

• Address: Rruga Curilla

Flair Croissanterie – The best Breakfast Spot

Flair Croissanterie & Coffee is a must-visit spot for breakfast or a light snack during the morning. Known for the best croissants in town, this place offers freshly made croissants, muffins, and sandwiches. Their products are not only delicious but also widely available in many coffee bars around town. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a perfect spot to start your day.

• Location: Rruga Fetah Bllaca, Durrës 0001, Albania

Spaghetteria Luli – Easy Lunch / Dinner Spot

This hole in the wall pasta place has some of the best Italian pasta in Durrës. Luli is the owner and since her family lived in Italia for years she learned the trade there. You will find different pastas, lasagna and some other options to try. There is no set menu but rather a daily speciality offer, very reasonably priced. I suggest visiting for lunch and trying the truffle/mushroom ravioli.

Location: near the great mosque

Durres – The best Agroturizem (farm to table)

Kodra e Kuajve

One of the first agrotourism restaurants in Durrës was Kodra e Kuajve (the horse on the hill), located at the top of a hill, overlooking the stunning coast of Durrës. At the centre of the complex stands a horse stall with an area for horse riding (your children might enjoy this) that is surrounded by the restaurant. It’s definitely one of the nicest places to visit in Albania. The agrozurizem also features a small hotel with some very cosy rooms to stay a night or two.

The restaurant offers traditional Albanian food as well as a selection of seafood. The food here is all organic, straight out of their farm close to the restaurant. They also have a wide wine selection available, from local Albanian wines to reasonably priced foreign ones.

• Address: Shkembi Kavajës
• Contact Information: +355 69 609 0080

Agroturizem Gjepali

Located in a picturesque valley, Agroturizem Gjepali has turned into a top destination for those who want a taste of traditional Albanian food. Here, you will get to experience Albanian culture first hand and learn more about its history and traditions.

The owner of the restaurant and head chef, Fundim Gjepali, has managed to bring some of the most fantastic dishes to his tables, which hold the real essence of Albania. The place is also the perfect spot for families to spend more time together in the tranquillity of nature. Besides the restaurant, you will also find a small numbers of rooms to stay here for the night.

• Address: Rruga Elez Gjepali 1, Shijak 2022, Albania
• Contact Information: +355 68 905 8888

Kallmi i Bukur – Relaxing in nature

One of my favourite spots outside town right by the sea is Kallmi i Bukur (hotel & restaurant). The small place is reached via a gravel road a little north of the old town centre of Durrës following the road along the coast. You will find fewer people here by tendency and can combine the trip with a day sunbathing or swimming in the sea right in front of it. A few tastefully decorated rooms are available if you wish to spend the night out of town.

The Best Bar in town for sea view – Rooftop Bar XV

A tall building stands just a few steps away from the Venetian tower. The 15th and top floor is where you will find the Rooftop XV bar & restaurant. On my last visit, I watched the sunset from up here.

From the outdoor terrace, you have a great panoramic view of the city, mountains, harbour, and coast. The sunset is truly unique. Despite the exclusive location, the prices are reasonable. Service, I have to say, was not amazing here.

• Location: Rruga At Erazmi, Durrës 2000, Albania
• Opening hours: 11:30 to 24:00 daily

Another great option to watch the sunset follow next.

ZINS – Best for sunset views

Located in Currila Beach, ZINS is one of the most popular places in Durrës to relax by the sea. The beach bar is owned by a famous Albanian rapper. It’s a pretty interesting architectural design as well. I recommend enjoying a delicious cocktail while watching the magical sunset and relaxing on one of the loungers on the terrace. Snacks such as chicken wings, burgers, and some very good sushi are also served here.

The place is rather famous with the younger crowd and becomes more and more busy the later the day.

• Location: Rruga Currila, Durrës 2001, Albania

My conclusion

Durrës offers a wide range of Mediterranean and Albanian cuisine. In addition to light salads, you will also find seafood, traditional meat and pasta dishes. Italian cuisine has the biggest influence here.