Brunch in Tirana: My Favourite Spots for Breakfast & Brunch

Fancy brunch is kind of a new concept in Tirana, but I think the city has really embraced the idea!

Restaurants that used to serve only lunch and dinner are now offering brunch dishes too. As someone always looking for good places to eat in Tirana, I love having the option of brunch.

During the week most Albanians prefer a quick byrek on the street, but on the weekend these brunch spots are busy with just as many locals as tourists.

The Best Breakfasts & Brunches in Tirana

I enjoyed all my brunches in Tirana. But if I had to pick my absolute favourites, they are:

Tony’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant (overall favourite)
TeDuKtu (best inventive menu)
In’s Myslym Shyri (best variety)
Mulliri Gourmet (best outdoor terrace and opens at 6:30 am)

1. TeDuKtu

stack of fanc pancaked with salmon and cream cheese at TeDeKtu, one of Tirana's best spots to eat brunch — Salty pancakes at TeDuKtu

I had one of my favourite brunches in Tirana at TeDuKtu. This was also the only restaurant in Tirana I saw someone working online. So I guess that’s okay.

The menu gets very creative with traditional breakfast foods, like my salty pancakes with salmon, avocado and cream cheese. Another must have item is the French toast with custard and stuffed bananas.

There’s a big outdoor terrace in the back. With minimal street signage it’s easy to miss TeDuKtu, but it is exactly where Google maps shows!

Rruga Mustafa Matohiti, Tirana (opens at 9 am)

2. Tony’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant

breakfast at Tony's Coffee Shop and Restaurant — Tony’s famous hash browns and one of the specialty toasts

Tony’s is my favourite breakfast and brunch eatery in Tirana. Looking at the menu you’d think you were in the US: pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, omelets and Tex-Mex. It’s all good, but whatever you order, get the hash browns. They’re seriously the best!

There’s two locations, and I usually go to the Pyramid one. It’s perfect actually, you can climb the Pyramid (one of the must see sites of Tirana), and then have breakfast at Tony’s.

Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II 13, Tirana (opens at 8 am)

Rruga Sami Frasheri, Tirana (opens at 8 am)

3. In’s Myslym Shyri

shrimp and avocado no toast and big blow of bluberry topped yogurt at In's Myslym Shyri, Tirana — Yogurt with honey and fruit, and shrimp avocado toast at In’s Myslym Shyri

This is a really popular neighbourhood restaurant, famous with locals for brunch and breakfast.

They also have a very creative menu, but offer omelets and your basic eggs and sausage for anyone not so adventurous. I love my breakfasts here. This is one of those places I go to regularly when in Tirana.

a big white mug with restaurant log and burned white marshmallow topping on top at In's Myslym Shyri — Baked Alaska hot chocolate for ‘dessert’

The restaurant signage is jn’s – not the full name. I almost missed it the first time.

Rruga Sami Frasheri, Tirana (opens at 8 am)

4. Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar

eggs benedict on a white plate, kale salad in blue pottery bowl and wooden bowl of bread on wooden table at Lift Steakhouse & Rooftop Bar — Eggs Benedict and kale salad at Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar

As you probably guessed from the name, Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar specializes in steak, but they recently added brunch to their menu.

This is one of the more upscale restaurants in Tirana, so prices are higher, but so is the service and quality of food. The brunch menu is a little limited, but offers all the standards and salads, which I loved.

I enjoyed the rooftop terrace with views of Tirana, and the soft piano music playing in the background.

ABA Business Center, Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II, Tirana (opens at 9 am)

5. Mulliri Gourmet

eggs benedict at Mulliri Gourmet in Tirana — Eggs Royale at Mulliri Gourmet in Blloku

I love Mulliri Gourmet in Blloku because it has such a nice outdoor terrace full of greenery, and they play good music! Plus the coffee is the best!

Mulliri is an upscale Albanian coffee chain, so their coffee is always excellent. They make a cappuccino with the richest foam I have ever tasted!

They sell coffee beans too. I always buy them here when in Tirana.

outdoor terrace at Mulliri Gourmet in Tirana with black umbrellas, lots of greenery and wooden tables — My favourite terrace in Tirana is at Mulliri Gourmet in Blloku

There are several Mulliri Gourmet locations in Tirana, but go to the Blloku one. It’s much nicer and opens very early. They make fancy cocktails too!

Rruga Pjeter Bogdani, Tirana (Blloku neighbourhood) (opens at 6:30 am)

6. Painted Black

Croque madame on white plate garnished with sprial of green sauce and eggs shashuka in dark casserole dish with baske to bread at Painted Black in Tirana — Croque madame and eggs shashuka at Painted Black

I ate some of the most delicious brunch dishes I’ve had in Tirana at Painted Black. The last time I was in Tirana for a couple of days, my Airbnb was on the same street, a happy coincidence.

It’s a very contemporary restaurant, with a dark interior and no terrace. It feels like a lounge (which I think it is, after dinner), and I’m sure they make terrific cocktails.

Personally I prefer something brighter and not so… noir… in the morning. But the food is great.

Rruga Hajdar Hidi 5-8, Tirana (opens at 11 am, closed Sunday)

Last Words on Brunch in Tirana: My Favourite Spots for Breakfast & Brunch

Enjoy Tirana’s brunch scene! Whether you’re a super early bird (or super jet lagged) (go to Mulliri Gourmet), or prefer a later brunch with a fancy cocktail (go to Painted Black), there’s a perfect brunch for you.