With its refreshing spin on traditional Albanian staples, Dhurata Thanasi’s delightful restaurant offers an authentic, nostalgic, and delicious gastronomical experience.  

If you have enjoyed breakfast at Luga e Argjendtë (in English, “silver spoon”) at least once then you have already fallen in love with the sheer variety and impeccable tastes of the restaurant’s rich menu. Though it offers both lunch and dinner, its breakfast menu is one of those rare finds that you wish all restaurants would offer. It includes sweet and savory alternatives, light and heavy dishes, authentic local and international options.

It is not only the delectable taste of each dish but their impeccable presentation that makes your mouth water! As an accurate Albanian saying goes: “First the eye must eat, then the mouth.” So, enjoy the nice walk toward the Castle of Tirana, where the restaurant is located, and get ready to dive into one of the most exciting menus in town.

More about the menu

The restaurant’s amazing collection of nostalgic breakfast offerings makes the locals think of their grandmothers’ tables and introduces the international customers to authentic Albanian tradition in a delicious way. Bukëvalë, for instance, an old breakfast staple made of bread crumbs, cheese and butter, is one of those simple yet addictive dishes that keeps everyone coming back for more. It can very well replace muesli and is served with milk or tea, based on preference.

Some mornings are perfect for that simply delicious yoghurt or kefir sprinkled with seasonal, fresh and dried fruits. Other times, petulla (Albanian type of donut) are what you crave. The petulla here are far less greasy than the traditional recipe dictates but still delicious. Dhurata Thanasi, the owner and head chef of Luga e Argjendtë, does not divulge all the secret ingredients behind her perfect petulla, but she does confess that she only uses fresh flour. Worth mentioning are also Dhurata’s delicious waffles. With a melt-in-your-mouth consistency, waffles come in an assortment of unexpected flavors like chocolate, beet, or spinach to name but a few.

Luga e Argjendtë offers a lighter version of the traditional paçe (traditional soup with meat) using only cheek meat in order to make it less heavy while retaining the authentic flavor. Paçe is an ideal dish to order if you are looking for that authentic Albanian gastronomic experience. Here, it can be ordered for lunch, as well. Here, you can also find papare and trahana, two famous Albanian staples. They come in both versions: the red one, prepared with tomatoes, peppers and pork innards, and the white one which is sweet.

For a more classic breakfast, you may opt for eggs, that international breakfast favorite which here is anything but boring here. They come in a pillow-shaped omelet stuffed with smoked ham and cheese produced in northern Albania, as well as a healthy serving of seasonal vegetables and fresh cheese. Whatever you choose, what is certain is that you will keep coming back until you have tasted the entire breakfast menu!

Thanks to Dhurata’s devotion and talent, Luga e Argjendtë is an especially warm and unique restaurant. What began as a small, unassuming space in one of Tirana’s minor streets, has now grown into one of the most-loved restaurants, and reference points, of the capital. Dhurata’s cooperation with local small businesses has been mutually beneficial: the latter have found a place for their products and Dhurata always guarantees freshness in her servings. We like to call Luga e Argjendtë the Castle of Tirana’s “best secret.” It remains fairly hidden, but incredible tastes and aromas emerge as if by magic in this charmed place.