There’s no shame in craving a ‘taste of home’ or just wanting some different flavours to the usual Mediterranean cuisine whilst visiting Albania. One of my favourite spots when I’m dying for something different is to dine at Spaghetti Western, one of the, considerably, many – and arguably the best – ‘Tex-Mex’ restaurants found across the capital of Tirana.

For me personally, it’s the tacos that are the biggest attraction here. You’ll find delicate soft tortillas adorned with your chosen toppings just bursting with flavour, whether you go for the pulled pork, avocado or vegetarian (or all three). They’re incredibly good value, too, at just 130 leke per piece.

I’m not American, so I never really understood a lot of the options here, but thankfully my American friends have recently helped me to grasp just how precious the inclusions of their Mac and Cheeses, Southern Fried Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak truly are. The burgers are pretty good, too!

When it comes to the decor, they really go for the theme here, but they pull it off without being kitschy. Your friendly servers are dressed in appropriate garb, the walls are adorned with interesting ornaments and the giant wood tables give the dining hall a kind of ‘saloon’ feel.

Another great thing is the location, in that it is in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Blloku and easily accessible by public transport. So, easy to enjoy a great meal and then head on out for a drink or two at one of the numerous nearby bars, lounges, pubs etc. if you’re feeling that way inclined.

Though you are surprisingly spoilt for choice in Tirana when it comes to Tex-Mex, with numerous restaurants specializing in this cuisine, in my opinion it’s Spaghetti Western that takes the most care in actually delivering a delicious dining experience over a simply rambunctious party night out that you probably won’t remember the next day.

This is definitely my pick when I’m looking for a taco fix!

Spaghetti Western – ✪✪✪✪

Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American, Burgers, Pasta, Mexican

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday; 8am to 11pm

Contact: 

+355 68 207 2000

Location:

Rruga Pjeter Bogdani

Blloku