Food & Cuisine in Shkoder & Albanian Alps

Most of the big cities in the country have a host of good restaurants, coffee shops and bars, though the choice becomes limited in the smaller towns and remote areas. The prices are high in big cities such as Tirana and Durres. Away from these places, food is inexpensive. Though fresh fish and lamb are more popular, vegetarians can be happy eating salads; luckily for them, the tomatoes and cucumbers in Albania are fresh and delectable.

For the wine connoisseur there is a wide choice available; the Albanian vineyards produce high-quality grapes, which are the source of the country's famous local wines. Kallmet (red) and Shesh (red and white) are the two varieties of grapes found here.

In the smaller towns and local eateries you may find a non-existent heating system. So, when out for dinner, remember to wear your woollens, particularly in winter. Usually, you will be expected to tip no more than 10 percent of your bill.

National Specialties

Albanian cuisine specialties include Mediterranean fishes such as the sea-bream, sea-bass and eels. Do not miss the national favourite - Koran - a trout found in the Orhid and Prespa lakes. Most meat dishes have some vegetables, cheese or curd and yoghurt added to increase the quantity. Some of the meat favourites are Paçë koke and Kukurec, which use sheep meat.

National Drinks

Though raki is considered to be the national drink, as far as alcoholic beverages go, Albanians thrive on coffee. Bars and restaurants serve espresso or cappuccino. However, local people make the kafe turke, a Balkan recipe, where sugar and coffee are brewed together.

Albanian Cuisine

Four hundred years of Turkish rule have left an undeniable influence on Albanian cuisine. Beside the Ottoman influence, there is also a pronounced evidence of Italian and other western European nations, after the breakup of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Stews, soups, bread, dairy products and vegetables, particularly peppers, tomatoes and aubergine, are liberally used. Meat is eaten mostly grilled and barbecued. Roasted, fried and minced meat - as in meat balls, are other common ways of serving.

For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert spread includes milk puddings, ice creams and honey cakes. Fresh fruits such as apples, pears, figs and all sorts of citrus fruits and nuts are available.

Farm fresh local food such as cheese, oven-fresh bread, pickles, fruits and vegetables can be bought from the numerous villages that you pass by on your hiking trails. Though negotiation would be a problem without knowing Albanian, your local guide can always help you. Another interesting thing that you can buy from the people is Turkish coffee and homemade plum alcohol called rakija.