Tirana’s café culture has been quite a revelation to us, and we’ve found lots of great places where we could happily hang out for hours. One of our favourites is Komiteti, tucked away in a little side street, not far from where we stayed at the Lowen Inn B &B.
It was recommended to us by the Lowen’s receptionist, Julie, who was a fount of knowledge about all the best places to eat and drink in Tirana. We would never have found the café if it wasn’t for her, so we have much to thank her for.
The interior of Komiteti is inspired by Albania’s communist era, and as its name suggests, it’s as much a museum as it is a café. There are knick knacks from that period all over the walls, classic old furniture, and cleverly recycled pieces such as rakes hanging from the ceiling holding the wine glasses.
We ordered cappuccinos (130 lek or $AUD1.30) and they came in dainty porcelain cups, along with a little caramel sweet that was very popular in Albania in the 70s and 80s. There’s an extensive menu of nearly 40 different types of raki, the heady alcoholic drink that is hugely popular in Albania.
Komiteti is divided into a number of small, cosy rooms and there’s a little courtyard out the back, reached through colourful glass doors. It’s comfortable and quirky, and we loved it.
If you go:
Komiteti Kafé Museum
Rruga Fatmir Haxhiu, 2
Tirana, Albania
Tel: +355 69 61 21 770
What a great find, a treasure of a place!