Book the meal that needs a table
Oda, near the centre, is the choice for a traditional Albanian dinner: look for fërgesë, stuffed vegetables, lamb dishes, and shared plates. It is small enough that an evening reservation is sensible when the city is busy. Mullixhiu, by the Grand Park, suits a planned meal rather than a quick bite; its cooking is rooted in Albanian ingredients and it is the place to check directly for current tasting-menu format, service days, and reservations. These are two different evenings, not interchangeable versions of the same meal.
Use Blloku and the New Bazaar differently
Era Blloku is an easy Blloku dinner when your group wants a broad menu and a polished but relaxed setting. Expect Blloku to cost more than a local grill or bakery, especially for drinks. For lunch, take a short walk to Pazari i Ri and choose a grill, byrek, fruit, or cheese based on what is actually on offer. Flower's Grill has long been known for inexpensive, filling plates near the market; treat it as a quick local-style lunch and check the day's hours rather than planning a late dinner around it.
Spend according to the occasion
A bakery breakfast and market lunch leave room in the budget for dinner and wine in Blloku. Order raki only if you want a strong grape spirit, and ask for Albanian wine by the glass when you want a slower drink with food. Restaurants may keep different hours on Sundays or in the quieter summer weeks, so confirm the same day for a particular name. Pick your table after your route: Pazari i Ri makes sense after Skanderbeg Square, while Blloku works after the Pyramid or Grand Park. The things-to-do guide maps those combinations.