Over recent years sushi has really taken over the trendy dining scene of Albania’s cosmopolitan capital, with all the coolest lounges offering the opportunity to taste this Japanese classic.
With such an overwhelming variety of choice, not to mention vast range of quality, it can be hard to know where to go for the best bites.
Here are five of my top sushi spots:
This is one of Tirana’s hottest spots, full of socialites and frequented by VIPs. The prices match the style accordingly. However, their Monday night “All You Can Eat” sushi offer is one that you just can’t beat!
Their sushi is delicious and it will just keep coming for the price of 1990 leke per person. Be sure to come on an empty stomach!
They serve sushi all week long either in the downstairs restaurant or upstairs lounge. There are outside tables, too! They also serve a killer brunch on the weekends!
This is my favourite dedicated sushi restaurant in Tirana. It was one of the first to open up and they are continuously improving year on year. The menu boasts some of the best value sushi in Tirana and their catering packages are incredible value, every day of the week. I particularly like their ‘temaki’, or what I have dubbed as the ‘sufllaqe of sushi’.
The menu also offers appertizers such as tempura and spring rolls, as well as noodles, salads and desserts. You can even try the Japanese alcohol ‘sake’ here!
- Mado
Back to the more fancy affair, this upmarket restaurant is top of the charts for service, style and selection. Their food is fantastic, the service is impeccable and, most importantly for me, their wine offerings are absolutely on point.
Stay a little later and the bar area will start to feel up, the weekend djs will spin some tunes and who knows, you might even end up dancing around with one of their delightful cocktails in your hand.
- Sakura Sushi Bar
A newer addition to the sushi scene, the large terrace of this upstairs restaurant is beautifully decorated with cherry blossom trees and koi fish.
Their sushi menu is quite extensive and they have a lot of additional offerings too, such as noodles and ramen, mains such as Teriyaki salmon, and nibbles like tempura, edamame and spring rolls.
Prices are moderate here.
- Nama Sushi
A more casual take on a sushi restaurant, this cosy little spot is tucked away in a quieter street near Sheshi Uillson.
I’ll often choose Nama Sushi when I’m looking to have sushi for lunch.
My favourite thing about this sushi restaurant is the variety packs on offer which give you the ability to try a wide variety of different types of sushi without breaking the budget.
They have EXCELLENT catering packages too!
