Restaurant · Cocktail Bar · Local Culture
About Us
MANIFATURA started as a dream project of three friends in 2016.
After a lot of endless restoration work, the restaurant opened on 07.07.2017.
Today it is the culmination of giving our best to the community by providing great food, service, and atmosphere. Tucked inside the historical pedestrian street in Shkodër, it allows us to create a memorable setting for you to catch up with friends and make new ones over tasty pizza bites and a refreshing beer.
Our Story
Rooted in History
The building is more than 100 years old. In 1937 (first picture), the building was used as a textile shop facing the main street of the city. Back then, our corner was called Manifaturë Moderne (Modern Manufacturing), trading various textiles and carpets. Since the early 90s the place was left uncared for and over time forgotten… until now.
Our journey begins…
In 2016 three childhood friends saw the potential the building had. That is when our journey began. Even though almost in ruin, we took on the challenge to renovate the whole place and turn it into a space that showcases the city’s literary and cultural heritage. Feeling responsible for its continuity, the whole concept was developed keeping in mind Shkodra’s rich heritage. The building itself is a national protected heritage, thus the construction process was fanatically overseen by our architect. To honor its history, we decided to call the restaurant MANIFATURA. The logo itself is designed from motives found in traditional carpets. Everyone from the future staff started helping with the works. By then we had grown from three friends to a loving community eager to start this journey together. MANIFATURA opened its doors officially on the night of 07.07.2017.
And it goes on…
Since then, we have given our all to the city’s bar and restaurant scene, and we still keep improving and evolving. Come once, and we know for sure you will come back again. It is hard to miss us if you are walking by in the main pedestrian street. If you look at it from the street, it seems like a small corner, but once you enter you will notice the large inner garden in the back.
When you step in, you are greeted by the warm colors, wooden furniture, and a mural depicting one of the shopkeepers in 1937. Inside this small area, you'll find a nostalgic collection of comforts, classics, and curiosities with a modern twist. Sitting at the window table, you can enjoy a pizza and a drink while watching the world go by. As you walk, you will notice a beautiful traditional carpet in front of a medieval map of the Shkodra Region. The outer walls display portraits of the most important local artists of the 20th century, as well as dialectical funny old phrases used in the region. Once you reach the inner garden, you will be embraced by the plants and trees living happily there. Most of them are native species that our grandparents used to have in their own gardens.
Sit and enjoy the calm relaxing environment in the middle of the busiest street. MANIFATURA will go on serving happiness to friends and families, for years to come…