This year the Giro d’Italia starts in Durrës. Here are 4 unmissable places to eat in the Albanian city

The 108th edition of the Giro d’Italia will start in Albania and, more precisely, in Durrës. The Adriatic city on Albania’s coast will host the Grande Partenza of the Corsa Rosa for the first time in its history. The opening act, on Friday 9 May, is a medium mountain stage starting in Durrës and ending in Tirana, with a total of 1,800 metres of elevation gain spread over 164 km. On Saturday 10 May, the vibrant Albanian capital’s streets will host a 13.7 km individual time trial — a key test for the cyclists aiming for the general classification. The trio of stages in the Land of the Eagles will end on Sunday 11 May with another medium mountain stage, starting and finishing in Vlorë, covering 160 km with 2,800 metres of elevation.

Places to eat in Durrës

If just reading the numbers of kilometres and elevation gains along the Albanian route has already worn you out, worry not. We’re here to lift your spirits and recommend 4 fantastic seafood restaurants in Durrës where you can enjoy superbly prepared delicacies from the sea. The Albanian city boasts numerous restaurants with chefs who have honed their skills in Italy and beyond — serving dishes that rival those found in the finest kitchens of the Bel Paese.

Restorant Sardi
Overlooking the sea, Restorant Sardi is one of Durrës’s crown jewels. At its tables, you can enjoy seafood crudités, ultra-fresh seafood salads, paccheri with monkfish and cherry tomatoes, fish meatballs, grilled calamari and crispy fried fish. It’s a must-visit location when in the city. A tip: come in the evening, when sipping a glass of wine over dinner you’ll witness one of the most captivating sunsets on the Albanian Adriatic coast.

Lagja nr.1 – Currilla – tel. +355697488981 – Instagram 

Aragosta
Since 1995, this restaurant has welcomed guests to its tables facing the Adriatic, serving exquisite seafood cuisine with strong Italian influences. From tavë peshkatari, the fisherman’s casserole with fish like sea bass and gilt-head bream baked in tomato sauce, to linguine with sea urchins and marinated anchovies, the menu is a feast of flavour.

Rruga Taulantia 1 – tel. +355692058070 – website

Spiranca
Spiranca is another institution in Durrës. The menu ranges from seafood risottos to grilled octopus, from linguine allo scoglio to a daily catch mix — and the most mouth-watering dish: oven-baked fish with tomato sauce and mixed vegetables. A delight for the eyes and the palate.

Rruga Pavarësia, Shëtitoria e plazhit – tel. +355697504440 - Instagram

Ventus Harbor
Just off the newly revamped seafront of Durrës, Ventus Harbor is the perfect spot to impress your partner. The elegant restaurant, housed in a white structure surrounded by the sea, offers a rich menu of seafood dishes. Fried fish, seafood salads, red prawns, penne with langoustines and grilled fish — all to be enjoyed while admiring the blue waters of the Adriatic and, come evening, the sun setting into the sea.