One of the highlights of visiting southern Albania is dining at the many great restaurants in Saranda. Located on the Albanian Riviera, the coastal city of Saranda offers a huge variety of cuisine ranging from top quality fresh seafood to traditional Albanian, Mediterranean and much more.
During my 3 month stay in Saranda, I was very lucky to sample an abundance of Saranda restaurants and quickly found my favourites which I returned to time and time again.
I created this detailed guide on the best restaurants in Saranda so that you don’t miss any of the top gems! I’ve also included some of my favourite sunset bars where you can sip a cocktail or glass of wine while watching the sun set over the ocean.
Whether you’re going to do an epic Albania road trip or you’re planning a beach holiday in the south of Albania, I share with you the best Saranda restaurants that you don’t want to miss.
So come with me as we take a journey through the sunny seaside city of Saranda and discover all of the best places to eat and drink. From the most popular beachfront restaurants to the hidden gems tucked away in the sloping hills, here is my ultimate list of the best restaurants in Saranda!
Dine by the sea in Saranda
Table of Contents
26 Best Restaurants in Saranda – The Ultimate Guide on Where to Eat in Saranda, Albania
The Best Seafood Restaurants in Saranda
Taverna Fish Filipi
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Albanian
Price: $$
Stop in here for an authentic meal of freshly caught seafood for very reasonable prices. This local gem is located a few streets away from the bustle of the promenade offering a less touristy dining experience.
Choose from a selection of fresh fish, prawns, octopus etc that you see on display and the staff will prepare it for you with the dish of your choice. Taverna Fish Filipi is open year round as it’s a popular restaurant for both locals and tourists.
Fresh fish at Taverna Fish Filipi
Fish Restaurant Ladi
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Albanian
Price: $$
This highly-rated seafood restaurant is in a central location right next to the Port of Saranda. It’s a small, family-owned restaurant that is known for serving top quality seafood dishes with a stunning view of the bay.
Some of their top dishes include seafood spaghetti, seafood risotto and grilled prawns. Be sure to sit on their outdoor patio for the best view. Fish Restaurant Ladi is a must for any seafood lover!
Enjoy the freshest seafood at Fish Restaurant Ladi
Centrali
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, Albanian
Price: $$$
Being one of the most popular restaurants on Saranda’s promenade, Centrali is always busy with people dining at any given time of day. Based on my experience, I would recommend this place if you’re looking to go for a nice dinner.
Their menu features a variety of seafood dishes, plenty of meat options and a great selection of pastas and risottos to choose from. Their desserts are also delicious.
What stood out for me while dining at Centrali was the excellent service, relaxed vibe and high quality of the food. The restaurant is only steps from the ocean so you can enjoy a peaceful sea breeze as you dine.
A colourful plate of risotto and a nice glass of wine at Centrali
The Best Meat Restaurants in Saranda
Taverna Labëria
Cuisine: Meat, Seafood, Mediterranean, European
Price: $
Taverna Labëria is tucked away in the Kodrra neighbourhood, about 15 minutes by foot from the center of Saranda. This small, local gem offers some of the best grilled meat in town and is particularly known for its lamb dishes.
You can expect to have a great traditional meal here with a menu that features all kinds of seafood and meat dishes accompanied by soups and salads. The portions at Taverna Labëria are huge and the prices are surprisingly low for what you get.
Enjoy a traditional Albanian meal at Taverna Labëria
The Nomad Burgers & Steaks
Cuisine: Burgers, Meat, Veggie options available
Price: $$
If you’re craving a juicy burger, look no further than the best place in town, The Nomad Burgers & Steaks. The prices are a little higher compared to other Saranda restaurants but you won’t be disappointed by the quality and flavours of the food.
This is the perfect spot to go if you want a break from seafood and Albanian cuisine. Keep in mind this is a pretty small restaurant and during busy times it’s not uncommon to wait a while to be seated.
Nomad Burgers & Steaks
Meat House Restaurant
Cuisine: Mediterranean, European, Fusion, Barbecue, Meat, Seafood
Price: $$
With a huge range of traditional meat and seafood dishes, the name of this place really captures the essence of it. Only steps from the beachfront promenade, you can dine with an impressive view at Meat House Restaurant.
From grilled seafood to lamb ribs, carbonara spaghetti and everything in between, there is something to suit every meat lover on their menu. There are several vegetarian options on the menu for those in your group who don’t eat meat.
Traditional Albanian food at Meat House Saranda
The Best Traditional Saranda Restaurants
Haxhi
Cuisine: Seafood, Albanian, Mediterranean, Grill, Vegetarian options
Price: $$
With some of the highest ratings of all the restaurants in Saranda, Haxhi is a gem not to be missed during your holiday in Albania. This family-owned restaurant has a cozy ambiance, a fun eclectic décor and most importantly incredible food.
Serving traditional Albanian and Mediterranean dishes for a very reasonable price, you are sure to enjoy anything you choose from their varied menu. The friendly waiters are always working to keep their customers happy with appetizers, fresh fruits and raki shots on the house.
The seafood pasta and grilled fish are some of the most popular items on the menu at Haxhi however I really enjoyed the “Pink Pasta”, a great vegetarian option made with beets.
Seafood pasta is one of the top dishes at Haxhi
Kasandro’s Fast Food Traditional
Cuisine: Albanian, Fast food, Barbecue, Mediterranean, European, Greek
Price: $
Despite its name, Kasandro’s Fast Food is actually more of a sit-down restaurant serving tasty Albanian and Greek cuisine with views of the sea. You can order all of the staples of a fast-food place such as souvlaki, kebabs, gyros and much more.
Kasandro’s became one of my go-to restaurants during my stay in Saranda, even though it was more than a 30 minute walk from my Airbnb, it was always worth the effort.
For great service, tasty food and even better prices it’s worth stopping in here for a relaxed lunch or dinner at least once. However after one visit, you’ll probably be back for more!
Grilled eggplant and vegetable soup at Kasandro’s
Taverna Garden
Cuisine: Seafood, European, Albanian, Mediterranean
Price: $
Seeking some authentic Albanian cuisine right on the boulevard? Pop into Taverna Garden to try some of their delicious seafood and traditional dishes on the outdoor terrace by the sea.
This small family owned restaurant is the place to go if you’re looking for Albanian/Mediterranean cuisine, especially fresh seafood, at an affordable price.
A Greek salad and traditional Albanian dish, Fërgesë
Natyra
Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Albanian, Vegetarian
Price: $$
Natyra is a popular restaurant in Saranda that’s located on the road leading up to Lekuresi Castle. It boasts an incredible panoramic view over the valley and mountains behind Saranda. The best way to get there is by car as it’s around 40 minutes by foot up a steep hill from the town center.
The restaurant’s menu features both Albanian and European cuisine with some of the highlights being seafood, grilled meat, ribs, pasta and more. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry there are salads, soups and pastas available without meat!
This is the perfect place to stop in for a meal if you’re driving up or down from the castle. A great idea would be to watch the sunset at Lekuresi Castle and then have dinner at Natyra on your way down.
I found that the prices were better than the food at the castle as it’s not a tourist trap. In my experience, the wine was also better here (not to mention cheaper) compared to the castle.
Take in the amazing scenery at Natyra
The Best Brunch Restaurants in Saranda
Marini
Cuisine: Albanian, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Greek
Price: $$
Just steps from the main beach in Saranda, Marini offers a fantastic breakfast menu featuring all the classics such as eggs benedict, omelettes, pancakes, waffles and more. Known as being one of the top brunch spots in town, the food at Marini is just as good for lunch and dinner.
The portions sizes are all very generous no matter what you order. I spent many afternoons there working on my laptop with a huge quinoa salad and a green smoothie, it’s a great place to grab a healthy meal. Marini is also known for its fresh local seafood, meat dishes and pastas/risottos.
The owners of Marini are so friendly and you can really feel the love that goes into everything they do. Be warned, this place gets extremely busy during peak season so you might want to book ahead!
Veggie omelette with hash browns at Marini