The daily diet of most Albanians includes milk
and cheese, vegetables and bread. Meat, eggplants, peppers, olives and
tomatoes are frequently part of Albanian dishes. Feta cheese and a coarse
white cheese called djathe i bardhe are common. Albanians also eat
lots of fruit. 

Turkish dishes have influenced Albanian cooking.
Shishqebap (shish kebab), romstek (beef patties) and qofte
(meatballs) are popular grilled foods. Other popular Albanian foods include
bourek or byrek (layers of pastry filled with cheese, meat,
or vegetables), pilaf (a dish made with rice and cheese) and faszle
(white bean soup). Beef stew and roast meat with sour cream or yogurt are
common. A dessert popular in the city of Gjirokaster is hoshaf,
which is made with figs.

Breakfast is usually bread and jam with tea and
milk and sometimes eggs. The midday meal is the main meal of the day. It
usually includes soup, salad, meat, and vegetables. Instead of a sweet
dessert, most people will finish the meal with fresh fruit or nuts. However,
akullore (ice cream) is popular in summer. In the cities, many people
have their evening meal in a restaurant.

Did you know?

A spring near Gjirokaster provides excellent mineral water for drinking. The water is named Glina after the nearest town.

A guest in an Albanian home may be offered Turkish
coffee and raki, a clear strong brandy made from grapes. In Kruja,
people enjoy boza, a thick drink made with cornmeal, sugar and water.
When Albanians gather in coffeehouses or bars, they may toast each other
by saying "Gëzuar!"