A Taste of Himara

The gastronomic culture of Himara is rich, it complements its cultural identity. Inspired by the peculiarity of the terrain (mountain-sea), the climate, the peoples settled here and the emigrants of Himara who traveled to the edges of the world.

CUISINE OF THE SOUTH

The Albanian Riviera lies along the west-southern part of the country, where the combination of the fresh mountainous air with the warmth of the sea makes it the pearl of the touristic destinations of Albania, which are preferable not only for the wonderful climate but even for the very delicious food of this Region.

On the way to the Riviera, along the seaside, there are several restaurants which prepare plates whose basis just-fished seafood. Among them, the quality and the taste of the shrimp, cuttlefish, squids and mussels is impressive. Llogara Pass, as the only terrestrial passage towards Riviera, is a must stop where the tourists might enjoy the typical cuisine of the mountainous region, such as the meat baked in the broach, a warm plate with harapash (prepared with corn flour) with the entrails of the lamb, yoghurt with honey and nuts, as well as other traditional dishes.

The meat from this area is the most delicious throughout the country. The approach to the sea and the quality of the pastures give an incomparable taste, particularly the lamb of the Acroceraunian mountains. It is prepared on a skewer (an entire lamb) and roasted on the embers or baked in the oven.

"Seafood and wild greens play a very important role at the humble Himariot table, accompanied with a glass of raki of course!"

Fresh collected fruits of the region of Himara.

Boiled greens with olive oil and lemon.

Fresh Red Mullet from the Ionian Sea.

Grilled octopus with vinegar.

THE HIMARIOT CUISINE

The gastronomic culture of Himara is rich, it complements its cultural identity. Inspired by the peculiarity of the terrain (mountain-sea), the climate, the people settled here, and the emigrants of Himara who traveled to the edges of the world. Simple, authentic, wisely matched flavors create extraordinary traditional foods, utilizing raw materials of nature, full of flavors and delicacies

A typical example is pie. Pies are made daily or for festivities, simple or ritual, fast or easy, or even so complex that they can be the judge of the culinary skills of a newlywed the day after marriage. Pies open or closed, salty or sweet, with or without phyllo, filled with all kinds of ingredients. The salty taste of the fish, the aroma of the wild grasses of the mountain, the simplicity of the cheese. Here, everything can be made into a pie; meat, fish and pasta, and even vegetables. It’s an everyday food and there are at least 30 kinds of pie. Tasty masterpieces from simple ingredients that combine the wisdom of the culinary economy with the high gastronomy.

Fish soup a delicacy of the region.

A himariot grandma opening a pie dough sheet.

Mplatsaria, a local delicacy with corn flower and greens.

My favored pie! Potato pie, made with potato pure, feta cheese and olive oil.

EVERYTHING CAN BE A PIE

The most characteristic pie of the region is the fish pie, made with fresh fish, onions, freshly cut garden greens, and a lot of olive oil. An example of mastery of the Himariot housewife is the opening of a sheet for a pie. Dough sheets up and down and in the middle the filling. There’s a great variety of vegetable pies, the most popular among them is the onion pie.

Sometimes our table is filled with simple ingredients - like wild mountain greens with olive oil and lemon accompanied by fried sardines, live crayfish and pike, cuttlefish, octopus and fish soup, and olives - foods that are less common in the North.

By ESPERIA RESTAURANT

Esperia is a seafood restaurant located at the port of Himara, serving fresh local dishes since 2004.

http://esperiarestaurant.com/

Plan Your Trip

How to arrive

It is easy to reach Himara and travel around the region once you arrive. By air from Tirana or Corfu airports, by ferry from Corfu, by bus or by your own car.

How to get around

Read about buses, taxis and ferry’s that tie the region together in a web of sea and land connections operated by both large and small scale operators.

Useful Informations

We have compiled useful information and good advise for your visit in the Region of Himara in our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

When to come

Summer is a season of swimming and partying , while spring is for exploration and sightseeing, read about when is the perfect time to Visit Himara.