The cuisine of Albania is strongly influenced by Turkish and Italian cuisine, as well as containing elements of the gastronomy of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
Albania is situated in the Mediterranean region close to Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. Two seas bathe its coast, the Adriatic and the Ionian. The geographical situation of the countries that make up this region makes the majority of their dishes based on the famous Mediterranean diet.
Some typical dishes are lamb roasted with yogurt, potato soup and cabbage, fried meatballs (Qofte të fërguara) and the Albanian vegetable pie.
Alcoholic beverages are widely consumed in Albania. The majority are produced in their locality and some by the citizens themselves. The most typical ones are the wine, local brand beer Birra Tirana, the Albanian Brandy and the Raki (a liqueur).
The typical dish is the Fërgëse, consisting of a hot stew with veal, eggs, parsley and cheese and served in a clay pot.