Burgers start around 600 ALL at Kolonat by T1 departures
Right by the departures check-in area in T1, Kolonat is the Albanian fast-food chain everyone compares to McDonald’s. It sits landside, so both flyers and people dropping off passengers use it as a quick stop before security. Expect the standard formula: burgers, fries and soft drinks, with a basic combo running roughly 600–900 ALL.
The menu sits firmly in the $ tier for airport food, though locals point out it’s pricier than Kolonat branches in Tirana city. You’re paying airport markup, not gourmet pricing. A kid’s burger-and-fries situation is easy to sort here, and most reviews land around a 4-star experience: nothing special, but it fills the gap before a 2–3 hour flight.
Speed is hit-or-miss. When only one cashier is on and the morning or evening bank of departures lines up, you can be stuck 10–15 minutes in the queue. That’s also when complaints spike about lukewarm burgers and soggy fries, especially if trays sit under the heat lamps too long during a rush.
Regulars treat Kolonat as the backup plan. Reddit threads suggest eating properly in Tirana city, then using this spot mainly if you’re running late or managing kids who just want something familiar. A cola plus burger-and-fries combo still lands under 1,000 ALL, which is decent for airside-adjacent food in a small airport like TIA.
Watch out for the peak departure waves: roughly 05:00–08:00 and early evening when multiple flights leave close together. That’s when queues form, food quality dips, and it stops being “quick.”
Tip: if your flight is already checked in online, grab Kolonat 45–60 minutes before departure, then head through security once you’ve eaten so you’re not juggling trays and last-minute passport checks.