Eating out in Saranda is a real treat as you will mostly be served dishes made with the freshest ingredients from the region. But for long, most restaurants had very similar menus, based on a mix of the local Albanian cuisine, with Greek, Italian and Balkan influences. Over the last few years this has changed with more and more restaurants offering a distinguishing menu with more contemporary and international dishes. Sometimes you simply want something different, right? Therefore we have listed the best international restaurants with the most distinguishing menus.
The Nomad Burgers & Steaks
This is the only place where they know how to make real American style burgers and steaks is at The Nomad Burgers & Steaks. All burgers are freshly cut and shaped by the chef, so no premade patties here. So far, no restaurant in town has even come close to what you get here. Also check out the delicious fries and sauces.
Casa Mexicana
It takes a trip to Ksamil, but it might be worth it just for the food at Casa Mexicana. The only 100% real Mexican restaurant in Albania has a chef from Mexico City, and he knows all to well how to make real tacos. All ingredients are fresh and the tacos are handmade and simply mouthwatering!
Art Sushi
Art Sushi has only had its first season, but has already made a name for itself. It’s not the first place that introduced sushi to Saranda, but it’s the only real Asian restaurant with a large selection of delicious Chinese and Japanese dishes.
Moma Pasta Fresca
Another new restaurant in town that has been an instant success in it’s first year is Moma Pasta Fresca. The Italian owners came over to Saranda from their hometown Bologna in Italy, to bring new flavors to town. All pasta is made freshly by hand and if you’re lucky, Mario will give you a demonstration when he cuts the pasta sheets into strings. We tasted the papardelle with ragu (bolognese is called ragu in Bologna) and it was absolutely delicious!
Balbi 34
At Balbi 34 they also make fresh pasta for which they already deserve a place on this list. But they have many more distiguishing dishes on their menu and the quality and flavors are simply amazing. They also have good quality wines and delicious deserts.
Salad Farm
The menu at Salad Farm is based on the Californian cuisine, which the American owners brought to Saranda, but of course everything is made from locally grown ingredients. Check out their Botë Farms as well to see for yourself! Apart from a range of salads they also have sandwiches, wraps and gourmet lemonades and smoothies. You can also pick up a lunch box for the beach.
Manxurane
At Manxurane the chef combines local cuisine and ingredients with French and other international inspired touches, making this a true fusion restaurant. All dishes are of high quality and this is also the case for their wine menu.
Marini in Saranda
At Marini all food is considered good, albeit a bit of a mix of local and international cuisine. Hands down their breakfast is the best in town as it stands out from any other place. From eggs benedict to omelets and pancakes, or what to think of their full American or Albanian breakfast platter for two, there’s no better way to start your day! For lunch or dinner they have many choices, but we were particularly fond of the appetizer dips and the brazed beef.
Pizzeria Maria Madalena
You can get pizzas almost everywhere in Saranda, but the quality varies a lot and if we’re truly honest, really good ones are even rare. The pizzas at Maria Madalena are our absolute favorites. They stand out for their quality dough and other ingredients, and their crispy thin crust. From the outdoor terrace, you also get to enjoy a seaview.
The Dick & Devil’s Pub
The Dick & Devil’s Pub is a newly opened American style bar with a distinguishing menu for Saranda. You can get American breakfast, biscuits & gravy, burgers, meatball subs, pierogies, and chili, most of which you can’t get anywhere else in Saranda.
The Tunnel Bar
The Tunnel Bar is another expat bar with a distinguishing menu, so no seafood or grilled meats here. The Tunnel serves a variety of burgers, chicken parmesan, crispy fries and occasionally they also organise food specials, so keep an eye out on the events calendar to see what’s coming up.
For more restaurants, you can search in our Food & Drinks section.
