Food and Drink Archives - The Balkanista

A visit to the Fundjave Ndryshe restaurant and centre

August 23, 2022August 25, 2022The Balkanista

A short drive to the outskirts of Tirana, under the shadow of the Dajti Mountain Range, sites the Qendra e Solidaritetit Fundjave Ndryshe. The NGO behind the project, headed by energetic and bright-eyed Arber Hajdari, has been working tirelessly for some six years to bring much-needed aid, support, and on-the-ground assistance to vulnerable families and […]

Quality picks

What The Balkanista did in 2020!

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021The Balkanista

Itâ€™s been a while since my last post, and for that, I apologise. I started 2020 intending to travel extensively in the region, conducting interviews each week, and writing on The Balkanista more than ever before. Then the pandemic struck and I was left with the task of raising a toddler, working, and trying to […]

Albanica Winery- a gem in the hills of Fier County

August 1, 2020August 1, 2020The Balkanista

At the top of a hill, somewhere between Fier and Lushnje sits the Albanica Winery, home to the Prifti family, a small guesthouse, kantina, and vast vineyards. To reach your destination, you have to drive up a winding hill, pass through a forest, and cross a small ridge before you descend to the winery which […]

Fustanella Farm: a traditional culinary delight!

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020The Balkanista

Located a 20-minute drive from Tirana, Fustanella Farm sits below the castle of Petrele overlooking a picturesque valley. An organic restaurant, Fustanella uses seasonal ingredients that are grown in the grounds of the farm. Meat, for the time being, is sourced from local farmers. The menu changes daily and is based on whatâ€™s good, fresh, […]

14 Things Iâ€™ve Observed in Albania

February 3, 2020February 3, 2020The Balkanista

Itâ€™s been a while since I have made any observations about life in Albania. Here are a few lighthearted, tongue in cheek things I have noticed during my 2.5 years here. Take an Albanian with you when trying to get anything done that involves a government department, anything legal, or the post office. Even if […]

Where to visit in Albania this year!

January 4, 2020January 4, 2020The Balkanista

One of the most common New Yearâ€™s resolutions is to travel more and explore the world. If you are one of the people that pledged to do just this in 2020, then you should really consider putting Albania on your list. Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, bordered by Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, […]

A journey to Kosovo

November 9, 2019November 9, 2019The Balkanista

A trip to Kosovo has long been on my agenda, after all one cannot call oneself the Balkanista and only have visited Albania and Macedonia so far. Autumn is perhaps my favourite season in this part of the world due to the abundance of rich colours that punctuate the landscape, combined with a faint smell […]

Welcome to Mrizi i Zanave

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019The Balkanista

I first visited Mrizi i Zanave when I was around six and a half months pregnant, during a small window of good health in between extended periods of bed rest. Since then, we have returned and vowed to go again and again. To me, it is like a paradise- clean country air, eagles circling overhead, […]

Nine Coffee Shops to Check Out in Tirana

April 21, 2019April 21, 2019The Balkanista

Did you know that Tirana has the highest number of coffee shops per person compared to anywhere else in Europe? It is no secret that Albanians take their coffee very seriously and that pretty much any important decision, meeting, or discussion takes place over a cup of something hot, strong, and caffeinated. With literally hundreds […]

Guest Post- Albanian food and how it changed me

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019The Balkanista

After I moved to Albania, one of the adjustments I had to make was adapting to the different kinds of flavours, ways of cooking, and of course, ways of eating. Albanians love their food and with the Albanian palette, simplicity is key- bread, olives, oils, cheese, meat and tomatoes are found on dinner plates across […]

Category: Food and Drink

A visit to the Fundjave Ndryshe restaurant and centre

Quality picks

What The Balkanista did in 2020!

Albanica Winery- a gem in the hills of Fier County

Fustanella Farm: a traditional culinary delight!

14 Things Iâ€™ve Observed in Albania

Where to visit in Albania this year!

A journey to Kosovo

Welcome to Mrizi i Zanave

Nine Coffee Shops to Check Out in Tirana

Guest Post- Albanian food and how it changed me

Categories

The fight to protect the Vjosa continues as European scientists visit Albania

Third edition of Albanian Diaspora Conference ‘Diaspora Fletâ€™ heads to Kosova

Call for applications from Albanian civil servants in capacity building scheme

After UK drop, EU sees decline in Albanian asylum seekers in 2023