Albania’s café culture deserves its own love letter. During my 23-day stay in Albania, I visited 21 cafés and fell in love with the local drink: the cold freddo. A freddo is a popular Greek cold coffee: a double shot of hot espresso blended with ice and sugar into a smooth, foamy texture, then served over fresh ice. You’ll spot one in a lot of these photos.
Albania’s café culture comes from its Ottoman past and a strong Greek influence, and you’ll see locals lingering over a freddo or mixing their coffee with the national spirit, raki, a homemade grape brandy. Here are the top cafés in Vlorë you can’t miss:
1. Café Ura: Cultural Hub
Run by an American couple who also lead a local church, Café Ura is a welcoming spot with a large communal table, ideal for working or socializing.
2 & 3. Café Adore & Street Coffee
These two cafés 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 has a cozier, stylish vibe.
4. Trio Bar: Upscale & Stylish
With pink and green marble decor, Trio Bar has an extensive menu and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. It’s perfect for relaxing.
5. Mullin Vjetër: Popular & Fun Drinks
A classic café with a library feel. It has a lot of fun drink options with different flavors, and it’s always packed.
6. Café 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 Bohème: Hidden Gem
Tucked away on a quiet street, La Bohème surprises visitors with its unique charm and cozy ambiance.
8. Choco Bar: Convenient Location
This café is on the main road, Ismail Qemali Boulevard, and it’s surprisingly big on the top level, which 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 Café: Casual & Relaxed
A simple and stylish café. The freddo was especially sweet here.
11. Bonaparte: Coffee Next to the Beach
Right next to Lungomare Beach, Bonaparte has spacious indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a coffee and then take a refreshing swim: the best of both worlds.
12. Easy Coffee: Quick Bites
A tiny café on the way to downtown Vlorë. The staff is welcoming, and it’s known for tasty sandwiches. A great quick-bite spot.
13. Bounty Lounge Bar: Second-Floor Views
Another spot on the second level, which makes for great people-watching.
More Albania Travel Guides
- Living in Vlorë, Albania: What It’s Really Like on the Albanian Riviera
- The Perfect Albania Road Trip: Where to Go
- Albania Is About to Blow Up: Cost of Living, Culture & Why I’d Move Here
- Day Trip from Sarandë (Albania) to Corfu (Greece)