Albanian cuisine is Mediterranean, fresh, flavourful and varied. With meat, seafood, dairy products, tons of fruits and vegetables, and the herbs of the Mediterranean, there is everything to love about the culinary options in Albania. It has elements from familiar Italian, Greek, and Turkish cuisines.
The Albanian cooking traditions are varied taking advantage of the suitable climate for the cultivation of nearly every kind of herbs, vegetables and fruits as well as olive oil.
With hospitality being a fundamental custom of Albanians, food, cooking, serving and eating, is integral to Albanian life.
Albanian cuisine can be divided into three major regional cuisines. Meat, fish and vegetables are central to the cuisine of the northern region. Many kinds of ingredients are used, which usually grow in the region including potatoes, carrots, maizes, beans, cabbages but also cherries, walnuts and almonds. Garlic and onions are also important components to the local cuisine and added to almost every dish. Albania is ranked fourth in the world in terms of onion consumption per capita. In Shkoder you find delicious carp dishes.
The cuisine of the central region is rich in vegetation and biodiversity as well as culinary specialties. It has Mediterranean characteristics due to its proximity to the sea, and is rich in fish. Dishes here include several meat specialties, especially poultry, dairy and desserts of all kinds. Tava e kosit, baked dish of lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs, from Elbasan is the queen dish of the region and country.
The cuisine of the south of Albania is dominated by dairy products, creamy yoghurts and a variety of cheeses. The main components of this cuisine are citrus fruits and olive oil, and in the coastal areas seafood. This region is particularly conducive to raising animals, as pastures and feed resources are abundant.
Byrek (also byrek or borek), a savory pie with layers of flaky phyllo filled with cheese, spinach, cabbage, leeks, meat, or any combination of vegetables is the most popular food in Albania, found everywhere and perfect pretty much any time of day.
