Breakfast in Albania – A simple Albanian breakfast consists of bread, cheese, olives, and other savory items along with a hot beverage. Traditional Albanian breakfast food is qebapa, bakllava and tave kosi, while a hot beverage can be tea or Turkish coffee.
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Where to Stay in Albania – Albanian Breakfast
A lot of budget option is available for accommodation in Albania. Where you can sleep in a dorm room or a room for less than $10 USD while you can stay in a budget hotel for as low as $20-30 USD. There are so many to choose from depending on what type and how luxurious you want your stay to be starting from $50 USD.
Book your accommodations in Albania through Agoda or Booking.
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Traditional Breakfast in Albania – What to Try for Your Albanian Breakfast
Qebapa
Qebapa is a popular dish in Albania, typically served for breakfast. It is a type of grilled minced meat sausage made from beef, lamb, or pork, mixed with spices such as paprika, garlic, and onion. The sausage is usually served with a side of bread and accompanied by a cup of Turkish coffee.
Bakllava / Baklava
Bakllava / Baklava is a traditional sweet pastry made from layers of phyllo dough, filled with honey, sugar, and chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios. The dough is carefully layered and then baked until golden brown. The syrup used to sweeten the baklava is typically made from sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Tavë Kosi
Tavë Kosi is a traditional baked dish with yogurt, lamb, and rice. The dish is typically made in a large, shallow clay dish and is oven-baked until the yogurt forms a creamy sauce. The lamb is usually seasoned with spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin, and the rice is often mixed with eggs, onions, and butter.
BYREK
Byrek is one of the most popular breakfasts in Albania. Byrek is a baked bread with cheese and it can be with meat or vegetarian with spinaches. You can see everywhere in the bakeries in Albania and prices are less than €1.
These are just a few of the most popular dishes in the Albanian breakfast tradition. Each region of Albania has its own unique variations of these dishes, and there is a wide range of ingredients used to create traditional breakfast fare in Albania.
While Qebapa, Bakllava, and Tavë Kosi are popular dishes in the Albanian breakfast tradition, there are many other traditional breakfast dishes that are also enjoyed in Albania.
Some other popular breakfast dishes in Albania include:
Jufka
A type of thin, round, handmade pasta that is often served with a variety of sauces and toppings, including eggs, cheese, and vegetables
Flia
A traditional Albanian dish made with thin layers of crepe-like dough filled with cream or cheese
Qumeshtore
A traditional dairy dish made with boiled milk, sugar, and vanilla
Paçe
A type of porridge made from cornmeal, milk, and sugar, and sometimes flavored with cinnamon or fruit
Albanian Food – Breakfast Drinks for a Typical Breakfast in Albania
Gjellë
This is a traditional Albanian drink made from hot yogurt mixed with water and salt. It has a sour and tangy flavor and is often consumed alongside a savory breakfast, such as bread with cheese and olives. Gjellë is believed to aid digestion and boost the immune system due to the probiotics found in yogurt.
Salep
Salep is a warm milk-based drink popular in Albania and other countries in the region, such as Turkey and Greece. It is made by simmering milk with flour, sugar, and cinnamon until it becomes thick and creamy. The drink is then served hot and may be topped with additional cinnamon or nuts. Salep is often consumed during the winter months as it is believed to have warming properties.
Tea
Albanians typically drink black tea with their breakfast, which is often served with honey or sugar. Herbal teas, such as chamomile or mint, are also popular and may be consumed for their calming and soothing properties.
Turkish Coffee
This strong and flavorful coffee is a staple of Albanian breakfasts and is often served in small cups alongside a sweet pastry, such as baklava. Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee beans in a cezve (a small copper or brass pot) with sugar and water, which results in a thick and rich brew. It is typically served with a glass of water to cleanse the palate between sips.
Tea, Turkish coffee, gjellë, and salep are all popular options that may be consumed alongside breakfast or as a standalone morning drink. The specific beverage consumed will depend on individual preferences and regional customs, but all of these drinks are widely available and enjoyed throughout Albania.
Hope you like our breakfast in Albania guide and til our next trip post. Let us know if you have any questions!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.