Pastaria — Restaurant in Bashkia Sarandë

In Saranda finding a place that delivers quick, quality food is gold. Pastaria in Albania did exactly that.

No wait for a table, which was a win in itself. The vibe was relaxed but professional - you could tell they take pride in what they do. I was looked after by Vaso, who was genuinely friendly and helped me pick the right dish - The Superior which was a great call. When service comes with a smile and some actual thought, it sticks with you.

The food came out fast and was genuinely excellent. Rich flavour, perfect portion - one of those meals where you start thinking about round two before you even leave. Can’t lie, I was annoyed I didn’t order another plate.

Price-wise? Around £8 for a pasta and a drink, even with extra meat. You’d struggle to get that kind of value in London - or really, anywhere decent.

If you’re craving pasta or just want something quick and properly done, Pastaria is well worth your time. No fluff, just good food, good people, and...

The food was good. We got fusilli in Mar sauce & tagliatelle creamy sauce.

The waiter on the other hand… initially he was quite nice. My sauce mentioned that basil was an ingredient but I couldn't find any, not even basil oil. So I thought I'd ask if they have already included it in the sauce. When I called the waiter, he stood about 2 feet away and he was so tense as if he was already ready to say no to anything I would say. I actually liked my food but would have loved the freshness of Basil in it as mentioned. Without even hearing me out, he started repeating that this is the sauce that was ordered and this is how it is. People even turned around to see as if it was a scene. I didn't feel like pushing so I just continued to eat. Overall, he was intimidating and I would never want to go in and communicate with him again.

Ravioli was not available (the only ones we...

We took our whole family—4 kids, my wife, and my mom—to Pastaria, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was warm and attentive, and everyone left happy (no small feat with a big family!).

But what really blew me away was what happened after we left. My 5-year-old had ordered mac & cheese, and we had packed the leftovers to go. After grocery shopping and getting home, we realized we had forgotten the bag. I walked back about 20 minutes later, explained the situation, and told them no worries if it had already been tossed. Without hesitation, they said, “No problem, we’ll make you another!”

What restaurant does that?! Truly above-and-beyond service.

Pastaria has earned our highest recommendation—not just for the great food, but for the heart they put into caring for their customers. We’ll...