27/01/2025
History of Mrizi i Zanave
Mrizi i Zanave is one of the first agrotourism businesses in Albania, bringing the concept of “slow food” properly to life. The owner of the business, Altin Prenga, started his cooking career in Italy in the late 90s.
When he returned to Albania, he wanted to use his experience to bring something new to the country, thus combining his international skills with his true roots. He named the establishment Mrizi i Zanave in 2007, just like the poet Gjergja Fishta called it, as the village of Fishte was his hometown.
From the beginning, the chefs of the restaurant focused on homemade food, which is full of flavor and is sure to stay on your mind for a long time. After all these years, this place hasn’t lost its touch, and it continues to be one of the most famous Albania tourist attractions, accommodating more than 100,000 guests each year.
Agrotourism
Let’s start with what made the Mrizi i Zanave agrotourism business so popular—the farm, winery, and production facilities, where you’ll find some of the freshest produce, which they also use for the dishes served at the restaurant.
The dairy and meat products are gathered from 400 families who grow them themselves, in addition to fruits and greens. There are also food stands at Mrizi, where you can buy jars of organic honey, milk, or olive oil, which count for some of the best souvenirs in Albania!
The whole premises is covered in greenery, with various greenhouses, olive trees, grapevines, and squash vines. Even the walk up to the restaurant is amazing, with green vines accompanying you all the way.
You can also take a tour around the fields and workshops or visit the winery, which produces the finest wine you’ll ever taste, using fresh grapes and other organic ingredients. All the production facilities at Mrizi are state-of-the-art, but the owner also wants to incorporate traditional methods for food processing, like wooden barrels or old stone mills for flour.
Animal Farm
At Mrizi i Zanave, you can really get in touch with nature and all of its charms, including animals. At the farm, you’ll get to see horses, cows, chickens, sheep, and more. They all live in harmony with each other and nature, making for a very pleasant environment.
You can even take horse rides around the farm, with the help of the staff, of course.
Restaurant
If you’re a food lover and looking forward to trying new and unique dishes, the restaurant at Mrizi i Zanave is the place to go. It’s among the first restaurants in Albania to perfectly combine traditional Albanian food with fine dining, making for some mouthwatering dishes.
What’s unique about the restaurant is that the Mrizi i Zanave menu is never written down, as it changes regularly. They always focus on seasonal produce, preparing variations of delicious dishes and drinks.
The outdoor area of the restaurant is breathtaking, set in the middle of the fields, offering stunning sunset views and amazing panoramas. The staff is always friendly and helpful, carefully walking you through the menu and making suggestions based on your preferences.
The restaurant’s motto is “Think Globally, Eat Locally.” There couldn’t be a better way to represent this place, which works with the local resources to create something original and full of taste.
Keep in mind that you should book a table before you go to Mrizi i Zanave, as it’s usually pretty packed there. You might be lucky and find a table without booking in advance, but to avoid any unpleasant situations, simply call the number +355 69 210 8032 for reservations.
Hotel
The hotel at Mrizi i Zanave is a unique and beautiful building set in an old stone house that once belonged to the owner's grandfather. A really creative aspect of it is the ruined corner of the structure, which has been turned into a floor-to-ceiling glass window, beautifully illuminating the space.
There is a variety of rooms available, so here is a list of them to help you decide which one fits your needs best:
1) Deluxe Room
2) Basic Triple Room
3) Family Room
