Where to Eat in Saranda Away from the Crowds (2026)
For a small place, Saranda has a good selection of restaurants, but many are closed during the off season. This year I was in Saranda in June, so I took advantage of it. I ate out quite a bit, exploring where to eat during the busier months.
I did find prices higher (as opposed to March 2024), and a lot more than where I ate in Durres, which I visited just before Saranda. The Albanian Riviera is getting more expensive.
Where to Eat in Saranda & What it Cost
Whether you’re visiting Saranda in high season or off-season, here’s my take on where to eat without falling into tourist traps.
I prefer to eat at restaurants away from the main tourist areas. The food is usually better and prices more reasonable. If there are locals eating there, it’s a good sign.
Most of these places are outside the busiest tourist areas. There are a couple that are near the port, but I included them because they’re really good.
1. Dollia Restaurant
I came here hoping for lunch but I was too early, so ordered from the breakfast menu which was omelets and eggs only.
I got a mixed omelet and Greek salad (it came with fresh bread), which cost 850 lek ($9.85 USD). Food was good, service was fast, friendly and I had great views of Corfu, Greece from the balcony where I ate.
The lunch and dinner menu is mostly grilled meats, a few vegetable dishes and tasqebap, Albania’s version of goulash.
2. Peta Jon
There are 2 things I really love about this byrek shop: it’s open off season AND they have types of byrek most places don’t.
They’re also open really early. I started making it part of my early morning dog walking route with Watson.
I can’t say the service is overly friendly, but they do speak English and can tell you what everything is. In 2024 I came here a few times for their cabbage byrek (amazing). This year I tried onion – another type I haven’t seen anywhere else.
Peta Jon sells two of my other Greek favourites, bougatsa (custard in layers of phyllo) and peinirli (bread boats filled with cheese, egg and ham). Both terrific for breakfast!
Planning a longer trip to Albania? See how I fit Saranda into this two-week highlights of Albania itinerary, with both car and bus versions.
3. Taste of Tradition
The first time I was in Saranda, Taste of Tradition was closed for the off season, so I was really happy to have a chance to eat there this time. It’s a popular spot with local expats.
Food is good, very traditional Albanian dishes and home cooking. When I was there for lunch they had several meat dishes, including tave kosi, soups, spinach byrek and vegetarian stuffed peppers. Prices are reasonable.
Lunch and dinner are self-serve. For breakfast you order at the counter and they serve you. Try the petulla for breakfast – traditional Albanian soft fried dough balls.
4. Taverna Oxhaku
This was my second year in a row eating at Taverna Oxhaku and prices were definitely cheaper last year in March. The menu I was given looked brand new, so I’m not sure if they use a more expensive menu for tourist season, or if the prices just went up a lot.
I come here for the kalamari. It’s always excellent, probably my favourite one in Albania. The menu is mostly grilled meats and seafood, and a couple of vegetable dishes.
5. Taverna del Mare
I came here by accident looking for another place. I didn’t realize I was in the wrong restaurant until after I ordered. Luckily it turned out to be very good!
This restaurant is strictly seafood. Fish soup, crudo (raw marinated fish), kalamari, octopus, whole fish and shellfish. The menu was brand new, so I’m certain the prices are higher during the summer.
My sea bass was grilled perfectly. I also has grilled vegetables and fried potatoes – everything was good, but the fish was excellent. The Greek coffee is great too.
Even the taverna cat was well behaved. She patiently sat on the other chair and waited for me to debone some fish and skin for her. And I got to watch the goats return home on their own after a day’s grazing. They actually checked for traffic before crossing the street!
6. Rozmarine
Rozmarine is one of Saranda’s best restaurants.
It was the most expensive place I ate at in Saranda, but everything was excellent and the food very fresh. I recommend it if you want to treat yourself after a day at Saranda’s beaches.
Rozmarine is known for seafood, especially crudo (raw seafood). I ordered the salmon gravlax, dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and on the server’s suggestion, the octopus salad. Everything was superb, even the bread.
Unfortunately, as I was eating my octopus salad I remembered the Netflix documentary ‘My Octopus Teacher.’ I still feel guilty. Don’t order the octopus salad if you saw the film!
Rozmarine offers a breakfast menu until noon, which is more reasonably priced. A good option.
7. Kreka Restaurant
I really like this cute little restaurant across the street from the Halo next to the stadium. The outdoor street side patio has a nice relaxed, ambience as long as you don’t sit next to the TV!
They serve grilled meats, pastas, risotto, and Greek style casseroles like moussaka and pastitsio. My ‘meat balls’ were more like meat patties, but nicely grilled and came with a good serving of tzatziki and salad.
In Saranda I’ve noticed a lot of Greek foods on the restaurant menus. And I love it when my meal comes with tzatziki!
8. Taverna Beni Peshkatari
A wonderful fish taverna right at the bottom of the road by a small fishing port. They have a excellent variety of fresh fish and shellfish.
There’s no meat at all on the menu, so don’t come here with anyone who doesn’t like fish. There are salads, vegetable dishes and plain linguine for the non-fish eaters!
My waiter was very friendly and I met Beni the owner and chef, who doesn’t speak English but has a big smile.
9. Bar Riviera
This is an excellent spot for dessert and coffee if you take a stroll on Saranda’s promenade (my favourite thing to do in Saranda). It’s not that fancy, but the sea views (especially from the rooftop) and desserts are great.
When I was there they had portokalopita (orange cake), zup and a couple of other things. It was my first time trying the Albanian sweet zup, which is a layered confection of custard, cream, cake and nuts. Albania’s version of trifle!
Even though it’s right on the promenade, there were a lot of Albanians in there and prices reasonable. My zup was 250 lek ($2.90 USD).
Last Words on Where to Eat in Saranda Away from the Crowds
If you’re wondering where to eat in Saranda without the tourist crowds, you don’t have to go far to escape the crush. There’s plenty of great food just off the beaten path.
Prices are definitely higher in summer than they are off season, but still reasonable compared to Canada and most of Europe.
