“Tradita te Meri” — Restaurant in Tirana Municipality

Terrible Experience – Avoid at All Costs!

I had the unfortunate experience of dining at Tradita te Meri near the New Bazaar in Tirana, and I must say it was deeply disappointing from start to finish.

The food was cold, tasteless, and felt like it had been sitting out for hours. Absolutely no flavor or care put into preparation. I was expecting traditional Albanian hospitality, but instead, I was greeted with rudeness and arrogance from what seemed to be the owner or waiter – completely unprofessional and unpleasant.

What shocked me even more was the lack of cleanliness in the place. The entire environment felt dirty and neglected. Tables were sticky, chairs were filthy, and even the salt shakers, cutlery, and napkin holders were disgusting to touch. It made me question whether any hygiene standards are followed at all.

This place is a complete embarrassment to Albanian cuisine and culture. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone – not even for a quick coffee. There are far better and cleaner restaurants in the area. Avoid this place unless you want to...

They are horrible! Extremely rude experience. I had some food here, which was okay, and stayed at my table using my laptop after finishing my main course. It hadn’t even been 20 minutes since I finished eating. In fact, I was just about to leave when the owner suddenly came over and told me I had to go because there were other people waiting. He raised his voice and even tapped me on the back three times, which made the situation completely unacceptable.

Eventually, someone else who spoke English came and apologized, but the damage was done. Let me be clear: you do not raise your voice at customers, and you do not touch them. Basic respect is not optional.

This kind of behavior is exactly why so many people complain about service in Albania. I had read similar comments in forums before coming, and unfortunately, this experience confirmed them. Treating customers with courtesy and common sense should not be too...

If you’re traveling between Tirana and Ksamil, the best choice is to stop for lunch in the town of Berat — which sits right at the halfway point. 🗺️

Famous for its thousands of identical windows facing the river, Berat showcases the best-preserved Ottoman architecture in Europe. It’s a charming medieval village where you’ll find:

Tradita e Beratit Restaurant & Hotel — widely known as the best place to eat in town.

Their signature dish for two is a delicious mix of traditional Albanian flavors — and that was our pick today. 🍽️🇦🇱

💶 In 2025, the “Tradita the Famous Menu” costs €30 🍷 Great selection of wines at friendly prices

📍1h20 from Durrës 📍1h30 from Vlorë

Have you been to Berat? Or do you have another great tip for Albania? 👇 Drop it in...