Hotel Tradita Gege & Toske

The rooms are nice, though there's no elevator to the top floors. As a vegan, I was offered specific dishes, but there wasn't much variety. When everyone else got their main dish, mine was a plate of grilled vegetables, and they weren't fully cooked.

We didn't stay at the hotel, just came in for food, but eating here felt like home to us as Albanians. The traditional dishes were full of flavor and amazing. The staff were nice, dressed traditionally, and the service was so good. The restaurant itself was beautiful and had a real traditional feel. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone stopping by shkoder.

I ordered several starters, including cheese byrek, spinach byrek, and other traditional dishes. One was a grape leaf filled with rice, which was interesting to try. Then I had beef with tomato sauce and cheese, full of flavor and incredibly good. The baklava was delicious, sweet, and satisfying, and the local wine from Shkodër went well with the food. It was young and a bit stronger than other Albanian wines I'd tried on the trip. Hotel Clarita's restaurant has a beautiful exterior, like an old Albanian house, and the building seems to have a lot of history. I ate upstairs, where the interior felt charming and authentic. Arriving without a reservation and looking like a tourist, I found the initial welcome a little cold. Communication was also tricky because many staff spoke very limited English, so it helps to know what you want to order. As in many places outside the capital in Albania, payment is cash only. The food is truly excellent and traditional.

The food was delicious and the service very good. The hotel has character and a nice atmosphere, and staying there felt like being at a friend's place. It's about a 10-minute walk to Shkodra's main pedestrian street. It was my first stay, and I'd happily return.