It’s no secret that Tirana has a great café scene: strolling through the town you’ll see plenty of cafés always crowded with people of all ages. Sipping a coffee isn’t just a thing in Albania, it’s more a way of life. Read our list of the best cafés to go to in Tirana.
Mulliri I Vjetër (which literally means “the old mill”) is one of the most famous chain cafés in Albania. This cozy café reminds of Starbucks because not only does it serve delicious espressos, but also frappes, smoothies, cappuccinos, and lattes, and offers a big choice of sweets and pastries too. Mulliri is almost full at any time of day, but don’t worry: you’ll find it everywhere in Tirana, so you just need to choose one. We suggest you to go to Mulliri I Vjetër in Rruga Ibrahim Rugova, a large street near the Rinia Park: after your coffee your can take a stroll through the park and relax.
Komiteti is not just a café: it is a gorgeous place full of furniture from the Communism era, located in the heart of Tirana, that serves coffee too. The place’s interior design is completely inspired by that period, so you will find typical carpets, radios, paintings, and other interesting artefacts used in those times. Komiteti is the only place in the capital that offers more than 20 types of different raki, the famous Balkan grappa liquor.
Another famous chain café of Tirana is Sophie: this elegant and charming café is a coffee shop where you can find all kinds of coffee, delicious cakes, cookies, and hot and cold drinks. There are several Sophies through the entire town, but the most famous is maybe the one near the Pyramid of Tirana. Therefore, after your coffee you can climb the top of it and admire Tirana from a different perspective.
If you want to taste baguettes, traditional French cakes, desserts, macarons and biscuits, there is only one place to go in Tirana: Patisserie Française. A French woman, who has lived in Tirana for a few years, runs this lovely café, which is very popular with expats and tourists. It is located in the centre of vibrant Blloku, the coolest area of the city near the river, so is not difficult to find.
The third chain coffee shop in Tirana that is worth a visit is Mon Chéri, a nice café with many locations through the town (one of the coolest is located in Wilson Square, in the middle of Blloku). Here you’ll not only find coffee and cappuccino, but also a vast choice of desserts, such as exquisite chocolate pies and croissants. Some locations of Mon Cheri are bigger than other cafés in town and have lovely terraces where you can relax sipping a coffee and admiring the view.
If you are looking for a small, cozy café in town, the best choice is to head into Amelie Coffee Room. Here you’ll not find crowds or lines, but only locals searching some quiet and relaxation. The menu has plenty of products such as milkshakes, smoothies, coffees, cappuccinos, fresh juices. Amelie has also a gorgeous design, like the beautiful central wall covered by open books.
Sky Tower is maybe the most famous café in Tirana. Located at the beginning of Blloku district, it is one of the best places in town to sip a coffee, eat a trilece (a typical dessert made with milk) and admire the best panorama over Tirana. The café offers gorgeous views by day and night with a 360 degree view of Tirana, so remember to bring your camera with you to take a few pictures.
