Albania’s café culture deserves its own love letter. During my 23 day stay in Albania, I visited 21 cafes and fell in love with the local drink – the cold freddo. A Freddo is a popular Greek cold coffee drink, featuring a double shot of hot espresso blended with ice and sugar to create a smooth, foamy texture served over fresh ice – featured in many of these photos.
Here are the top cafes in Vlorë you can’t miss:
1. Cafe Ura – Cultural Hub
Run by an American couple who also lead a local church, Cafe Ura is a welcoming spot with a large communal table ideal for working or socializing.
2 & 3. Cafe Adore & Street Coffee.
These two cafes sit right across from each other and offer very different experiences. For a lively local bar-café atmosphere where you can hang out with friendly older men and soak up local gossip and TV, Street Coffee is the place. Right next door, Café Adore offers a cozier, stylish vibe.
4. Trio Bar – Upscale & Stylist
Featuring pink and green marble decor, Trio Bar has an extensive menu and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. It’s perfect for relaxing.
5. Mullin Vjeter – Popular & Fun Drinks
A classic cafe with a library feel. This cafe offers a lot of fun drink options with different flavors, and is always packed.
6. Cafe Arabica – Best People Watching
My personal favorite! Located on a busy roundabout, Arabica is ideal for people watching. I spent 5 hours here one day.
7. La Boheme – Hidden Gem
Tucked away on a quiet street, La Boheme surprises visitors with its unique charm and cozy ambiance.
8. Choco Bar – Convenient Location
This cafe is on the main road – Ismail Qemali boulevard and is surprisingly big on the top level so makes for great people watching down below.
9. Kuzum Baba – Coffee with a View
Known for its stunning panoramic views, Kuzum Baba is the ideal place to enjoy your coffee with breathtaking scenery.
10. Corner Cafe – Casual & Relaxes
A simple and stylish cafe. The freddo coffee was especially sweet here.
11. Bonaparte
Located right next to Lungomare beach, Bonaparte offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating. You can grab a coffee and then take a refreshing swim — the best of both worlds.
12. Easy Coffee
A tiny cafe on the way to Vlore downtown. They welcoming staff, known for tasty sandwiches — a great quick bite spot.
13. Bounty Lounge Bar
Another spot on the 2nd level which makes for great people watching.
If you’re wondering what to eat and do in Vlore, Albania, one of the best ways to experience the city is by visiting it’s charming cafes. Albania’s café culture is truly special — with a strong influence from Greece, you’ll find many locals enjoying a cold freddo coffee or mixing their coffee with the national spirit, Raki, a homemade grape brandy.