Astro Brunch & Cocktail Bar is the best dedicated brunch spot in Himara. With a 4.8-star rating, creative plates that go well beyond standard Albanian hotel breakfasts, and craft cocktails from morning onward, it has earned its reputation as the place to start your day on the Albanian Riviera. Located in the Potam area of Himara center, it's a 5-minute walk from Spile Beach and within easy reach of the town's main promenade.
If you're looking for a proper sit-down brunch — not just coffee and a byrek — Astro is where to go.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Astro Brunch & Cocktail Bar |
| Rating | 4.8 stars (136 reviews) |
| Price range | 600-1,100 ALL / 6-11€ ($7-12) per plate |
| Location | Himara center, Potam area |
| Hours | Opens early morning, serves all day |
| @astro_brunch_cocktails | |
| Best for | Couples, solo travelers, remote workers, brunch lovers |
| Order this | Benedict My Day + fresh juice |
What Makes Astro Stand Out
Himara's breakfast scene has grown fast, but most options still fall into two camps: traditional Albanian cafes serving espresso and byrek, or hotel buffets with generic continental spreads. Astro Brunch occupies a different space — creative, ingredient-focused plates served with real attention to quality.
The menu borrows from international brunch culture (avocado toast, eggs Benedict, smoothie bowls) but does it with consistency that many beach-town restaurants struggle to maintain. The 4.8-star average across 136 reviews is not accidental. The kitchen runs tight, portions are generous, and the cocktail program means you can order a proper aperol spritz alongside your eggs without getting a puzzled look.
What separates Astro from Tonea's Brunch at Livadhi Beach or a morning coffee at Kafe Pasticeri 1928 is ambition. Tonea's does excellent pancakes and smoothie bowls in a beach setting. 1928 is a century-old pastry institution serving trilece and baklava. Both are great at what they do. Astro is for when you want a creative, full-service brunch experience — the kind of place that would work in any European city but happens to be in a small Albanian beach town.
The Menu: What to Order
Astro's menu is divided into brunch plates, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. All ingredients are sourced from local farmers. Here's the full menu with prices.
Brunch Plates
| Dish | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Astros Avocado Toast | 600 ALL (6€) | Mashed avocado with olive oil and lime juice on sourdough, fresh veggies, fried egg, herbs, sesame |
| Salty's Pan | 700 ALL (7€) | Pancakes with cream cheese, bacon, cheese, fried egg with chilli, black sesame, cherry tomatoes, arugula |
| Shakshuka | 700 ALL (7€) | Homemade tomato sauce with veggies, eggs, and herbs. Served with sourdough and cheese on top |
| Astros Brunch | 750 ALL (7.50€) | Scrambled eggs with veggies and cheese on burger buns, Astro sauce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chicken breast |
| Madam Astro | 750 ALL (7.50€) | Sourdough with garlic butter and herbs, ham, cheese, homemade mornay sauce, eggs, fresh veggies |
| Bagelmania | 850 ALL (8.50€) | Homemade bagel stuffed with cream cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, basil sauce |
| Benedict My Day | 900 ALL (9€) | Poached eggs, homemade hollandaise, bacon, sourdough, chilli flakes, black sesame, cherry tomatoes with balsamic oil, smoked salmon |
What to order first time: Benedict My Day (900 ALL) is the standout — multiple reviewers call the eggs "cooked perfectly" and the hollandaise is homemade. If you want something lighter, the Avocado Toast (600 ALL) is the cheapest plate and still substantial. Shakshuka (700 ALL) is the best vegetarian option.
Salads & Sandwiches
| Dish | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Caesar Salad | 650 ALL (6.50€) | Chicken breast, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, bacon, croutons, caesar sauce, toasted sourdough with garlic olive oil, parmesan |
| Life Salad | 700 ALL (7€) | Chickpeas, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pepper, fresh mint, lemon juice, garlic olive oil, feta cheese, toasted bread |
| Astros Club Sandwich | 750 ALL (7.50€) | Toasted bread with cream cheese, gouda, bacon, tomato, mayo seed sauce with fried potatoes |
| McChick Club Sandwich | 750 ALL (7.50€) | Toasted bread with Astro sauce, gouda, lettuce, chicken nuggets, tomato with fried potatoes |
Burgers
| Dish | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Astro Burger | 1,000 ALL (10€) | Beef patty, caramelised onions, tomato, melted cheddar, BBQ sauce, red peppers, pickles |
| MC Astro | 1,000 ALL (10€) | Deep fried chicken fillet, cheddar, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mayo relish |
| Travis Burger | 1,100 ALL (11€) | Beef patty, triple bacon, double cheddar, lettuce, tomato, mayo, chilli flakes, fried egg |
The burgers are a solid lunch option if you're past brunch hours. The Travis Burger at 1,100 ALL is the most expensive item on the menu — still under 11€.
Drinks
Craft Cocktails — Astro's cocktail program is what sets it apart from other breakfast spots. Brunch cocktails are available from morning, and happy hour brings all cocktails to 600 ALL (6€). The cocktail menu rotates but expect classics done well.
Espresso — 150 ALL (1.50€). Albanian espresso culture meets decent equipment.
Fresh Juices & Smoothies — Made to order, reasonably priced.
Price Summary
| What you'll spend | ALL | EUR | USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest brunch plate (Avocado Toast) | 600 | 6€ | $6.60 |
| Most popular plate (Benedict My Day) | 900 | 9€ | $9.90 |
| Most expensive item (Travis Burger) | 1,100 | 11€ | $12.10 |
| Espresso | 150 | 1.50€ | $1.65 |
| Brunch + coffee + juice (per person) | 1,050-1,550 | 10.50-15.50€ | $11.50-17 |
| Two people, full brunch with cocktails | 2,500-3,500 | 25-35€ | $27.50-38.50 |
These prices are moderate by Himara standards — more than a budget byrek breakfast but significantly less than comparable brunch spots in Saranda or Dhermi. For reference, a seafood dinner for two at a waterfront taverna runs 3,000-5,000 ALL (30-50€).
The Vibe and Setting
Astro leans modern and clean — think urban bistro aesthetic transported to the Albanian coast. The menu notes that all ingredients are sourced from local farmers, which shows in the freshness of the plates. The interior has a contemporary feel that separates it from the traditional taverna style that dominates Himara's dining scene. Outdoor seating is available and preferred in season, offering views and a morning breeze.
The atmosphere shifts through the day. Mornings are quiet and coffee-focused — a good window for remote workers who want to combine a breakfast session with some laptop time (the WiFi clocks around 16 Mbps, functional for email and calls). By late morning it fills with tourists fueling up before the beach. Afternoons transition into the cocktail bar identity, with a more social, relaxed energy.
The staff gets consistently positive reviews — friendly, attentive, and willing to customize orders (vegetarian requests, leaving out bacon, dietary modifications).
Practical Tips
Go before 10 AM. Astro fills up during peak summer mornings, especially on weekends. If you arrive by 9 or 9:30, you'll get a table without waiting. After 10, expect a short wait on busy days.
Cash is safer. Like most Himara restaurants, cash (lek or euros) is the most reliable payment method. Card acceptance varies — don't count on it.
Budget 60-90 minutes. This is not a grab-and-go spot. The kitchen takes care with plating, and brunch is meant to be lingered over. Plan accordingly if you have a morning boat tour booked.
Combine with a beach morning. Astro to Spile Beach is a 5-minute walk. Eat at 9, be on a sunbed by 10:30 — that's the optimal Himara morning sequence. For Livadhi Beach, you're looking at a 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk.
WiFi works for light work. At ~16 Mbps, you can handle email, calls, and basic browsing. Not ideal for heavy uploads or video editing, but enough for a productive morning stint before switching to beach mode. See our coworking cafes guide for more work-friendly spots.
How Astro Compares
| Astro Brunch | Tonea's Brunch | Kafe Pasticeri 1928 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Creative brunch plates | Pancakes & smoothie bowls | Traditional pastries & coffee |
| Location | Town center (Potam) | Livadhi Beach | Town center |
| Price | 600-1,100 ALL (6-11€) | 600-1,000 ALL (6-10€) | 200-400 ALL (2-4€) |
| Rating | 4.8 stars | 4.7 stars | 4.6 stars |
| Best for | Proper sit-down brunch | Beach-side morning | Quick pastry & espresso |
| Cocktails | Yes (full bar) | Limited | No |
| Vibe | Modern bistro | Beach casual | Historic Albanian cafe |
| WiFi | ~16 Mbps | Limited | Available |
Bottom line: Astro for the best food quality and cocktail option. Tonea's if you want pancakes steps from the beach. 1928 for a quick, cheap, traditional Albanian morning with trilece and strong coffee.
For the full ranking of morning options, see our best breakfast in Himara guide.
Location and Getting There
Astro Brunch is in the Potam area of Himara center, a short walk from the main town strip.
| From | Distance | Walk Time |
|---|---|---|
| Spile Beach promenade | ~400m | 5 minutes |
| Town center / main road | ~200m | 3 minutes |
| Livadhi Beach | ~2 km | 20 min walk / 5 min drive |
| Potami Beach | ~300m | 4 minutes |
The restaurant is easy to find — look for the modern signage on the Potam side of town. If you're coming from the promenade, walk inland toward Potam and you'll see it on your right.
Address: Himarë 9425, Albania GPS coordinates: 40.0973, 19.7537 — useful if you're navigating from outside town.
FAQ
Is Astro Brunch good for families?
Yes. The menu has options that work for kids (pancakes, waffles, eggs), portions are generous, and the staff is accommodating with modifications. Several family travel guides recommend it as a solid brunch option for families looking for a substantial morning meal before hitting the beach.
Does Astro Brunch take reservations?
Walk-ins are the norm. In peak summer (July-August), arriving before 10 AM avoids any wait. Outside of peak season, getting a table is rarely an issue.
What are the best cocktails at Astro?
The cocktail menu rotates, but the bar handles classics well — aperol spritz, mojitos, and signature creations. Happy hour brings all cocktails to 600 ALL (6€), which is among the best cocktail value in Himara. The brunch cocktail angle is what makes Astro unique — most Himara cafes don't serve alcohol in the morning.
Is Astro Brunch open in winter?
Astro, like most Himara restaurants, operates seasonally. Peak season runs May through October, with the busiest months being July-August. Off-season availability varies year to year — check their Instagram @astro_brunch_cocktails for current status.
How much does brunch cost at Astro?
Budget 1,050-1,550 ALL (10.50-15.50€ / $11.50-17) per person for a brunch plate with coffee and juice. Plates range from 600 ALL (avocado toast) to 1,100 ALL (Travis Burger). For two people with cocktails, expect 2,500-3,500 ALL (25-35€ / $27.50-38.50) total — moderate by Himara standards and a fraction of what comparable brunch spots charge in Greece or Croatia.
