The best restaurants Dubrovnik & Area

Taverna Otto used to be a popular restaurant in Dubrovnik with a fine cuisine. Due to the pandemic, it had closed permanently. In September 2021, the owners returned with a tighter fast food concept, in the Boninovo neighborhood, where restaurants are scarcer. On the menu, we note an assertive coup de jeune with a proposal of fast food, on the spot and especially to go. Smoked BBQ ribs, hamburgers (pork, chicken or veggie), fries, salads, cold drinks, beers: it is basic, good and honest.

Fast food in Dubrovnik is a rarity, as are restaurants where you can get by on the cheap... so Barba goes against the grain. In this little store with its nautical tones, the emphasis is on traditional Ragusan cuisine and local ingredients. The house specialities are the octopus burger, homemade fried fish (squid, small fish, shrimp...) and fresh oysters from Ston, but salads and sandwiches are also served. Special mention for the black bread rolls! Please note: waiting times can be long.

A superb setting with a beautiful terrace facing the ramparts for this gastronomic restaurant. The menu is classic and the cuisine is meticulous. Fish, lobsters, octopus and shellfish are presented at the beginning of the meal. The fish of the day, sold by the kilo, is interesting to share in group. The cooking on the stone barbecue, on which the chef grills meat and fish, reproduces traditional methods but the accompaniment, steamed or grilled vegetables, is a little too little. A meal with a rather high price tag and a pleasant refined atmosphere.

This restaurant not far from the road does not have the charm of its competitors in the other hamlets, but is still a very good address. It serves very good grilled meat with home-made vegetables, pizzas, lamb, veal or octopus cooked under the peka (ask in advance), etc. Perfect for groups and to taste the traditional cuisine of Žrnovo in a rustic setting. Don't leave without first trying the macaroni with meat ragout. The owner's mother makes the sauce!

A central restaurant with a terrace on a high-speed square facing that of the famous Kamenice. A good fish card, grilled squid, and meat without forgetting risotto, grilled vegetables or vegetarian plates. Good service but slightly light on the plate. 

With its stone-walled interior and its terrace under a vine arbour, this tavern is a very good address. Here, everything is organic and home-made: bread, goat cheese, fresh pasta, smoked ham. Mate's specialty? Tasty meat stews cooked under the peka bell. If you haven't tried it elsewhere, order pašticada, the traditional Dalmatian dish served here with macaroni. A very cosy place! Reservations are recommended.

A very attractive family tavern on the seafront, which is very popular. The ideal location with an unobstructed view of the sea, the catch of the day, numerous dishes prepared over a wood fire, and an appreciable vegetarian plate make this place a success. Among the dishes to be mentioned, the entrecote accompanied by a tomato and fig salad, and the fish soup served directly from the pot. Remember to make a reservation as the place is often packed, and come early if you don't like to wait too long once you've ordered!

This is one of the best addresses in the area. It was the team of the restaurant Dalmatino who opened this restaurant in 2017. Originally from Trstenik, the owner has once again aimed right after having conquered us for years in Dubrovnik. The recipe is the same: a beautiful establishment, good products, local cuisine (grilled fish and meat) revisited. Without forgetting to congratulate the quality service, attentive and rather fast, the warm welcome and the friendly atmosphere, just what is needed. Not to be missed.

Recommended by Anne Femica, our expert guide who knows her city well, the konoba is one of Dubrovnik's well-kept secrets. Far from the hustle and bustle of the central squares and streets, the courtyard terrace is well shaded under its pergola. The friendly waiters explain the menu to you. Tagliatelle or black risotto with squid ink, as soft as you like, tasting tray with assorted fish, seafood and grilled vegetables, interesting vegetarian dishes (soy wok, grilled vegetables, vegan risotto or tagliatelle), local wine by the glass. Good address!

Open all year round, the Konoba is more than a restaurant. It is a meeting place for locals, boaters arriving by sea, and holidaymakers staying on site. People come here for the first hot or cold drinks, all day long, for the aperitif and also for the meals, midday and evening. On the menu, traditional fisherman's cuisine, grilled fresh fish with bliva and southern vegetables, squid or fried calamari, crayfish à la Diable. For the lamb Peka with sautéed potatoes, you must reserve. Very good welcome!

In Port Gruž, just across from the boat landing, an establishment offering savory or sweet breakfast with fresh fruit juices, smoothies, coffee or gourmands. All day long, hot or cold drinks, cocktails with or without alcohol. For lunch and dinner, hot and cold dishes, pizzas, sandwiches with local charcuterie/salad, club sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken burritos, ćevapčići, fries. On the seaside, seafood spaghetti, squid/blitva or fish papillote with southern vegetables.

Located in the hollow of the port, this famous restaurant proposes a great choice of fresh fish, and shellfish, concocted in a careful and inventive cooking (seafood, oysters, fried squids, frittata, sole meunière, lobster with fresh pasta, risotto cream langoustine...). Elegant setting and quality and smiling service. Good wine and liquor list to accompany or finish the meal. Don't forget the tempting desserts. Locals and tourists, who come at any time of the day, find a good atmosphere.

A local sandwich shop that everyone here knows, one of the first to introduce the fast-food formula to the old town. Plates are served inside on small wooden tables or in the alleyway. Sandwiches are baked in a brick oven and filled with Dalmatian ham, olive oil cheese and tomato slices. Škola, which means "school" in Croatian, has long been a haven for schoolchildren, who gather in this family atmosphere. Reasonable prices.

This restaurant, on the road that runs alongside the port, close to the Lapad hotel, is not easy to find if you arrive by land. But it's a real haven of peace, well worth the detour. It has the good fortune to be able to move forward onto a pontoon, setting its tables on the water's edge, with a panoramic view of the moored boats. Visitors come for the seafood platters, lobster, tuna carpaccio and squid ink risotto (although meat dishes are also available). In spring, when cherries are in season, try their cherry strüdel.

This now very touristy establishment offers fried fish and seafood dishes. On the menu: octopus salad, fried fish, black risotto, spaghetti with shellfish... Oysters (sometimes frozen) are also on the menu - after all, kamenice means oyster in Croatian! With its magnificent location on the square, this restaurant is often overcrowded, and the quality of the food suffers (as does the friendliness of the waiters), with prices that don't match the dishes served. You often have to wait (in the sun) to get a table.

A spacious terrace and tables set between the arches of the ramparts, enjoying a privileged view of the old port and the arrival of tourist boats. Varied cuisine, seafood, pizzas, new Asian menu. Friendly and smiling staff. Go in the evening for the live acoustic music and the peace and quiet in town once the cruise ships have left. A curiosity: in the days of the Ragusa Republic, the term poklisar referred to the patrician employed as an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

At the entrance to the old town, near the Porte Pile, this restaurant-bar remains a landmark in the city. The food served here lives up to the restaurant's reputation, with its meticulous attention to detail and gourmet quality under the leadership of chef Mario Bunda. The view from the terrace, overlooking the bay on the Porte de Pile side, and the professional service are also assets that give the Michelin-starred restaurant a head start. But the bill is high for both land and sea menus, unless you opt for the more affordable à la carte dishes.

Just a stone's throw from Gundulić Square and the famous "Scalinata", the Baroque staircase leading to St. Ignatius Church (popular with tourists as the setting for Game of Thrones), Pizzeria Castro is a favorite address for Ragusans. Open all year round, Castro offers a good choice of pizzas at reasonable prices. Out of season, the menu is a little shorter, but the pizzeria (almost) never stops working. Relaxed, family atmosphere, tables outside only. Very pleasant service. Long waits sometimes in summer.

Once you've passed all the harbor restaurants, you come to the tavern at the end of the quay, close to the Franciscan monastery. The quiet, elevated terrace enjoys the generous shade of the pine trees and the view of the sea. Here, wood-fired cooking (outdoor barbecue) perfectly captures the flavors of southern meats, fish, seafood and vegetables. On the menu: tuna or swordfish steak, grilled calamari, seafood platter, as well as tuna tartare, spit-roasted suckling pig, pork ribs, sautéed potatoes and breaded eggplant with mozzarella.

Cavtat is full of restaurants for all budgets and, as in Dubrovnik, some of them are not as good as their food... All of them have a terrace facing the sea, whether it is the bay of Tiha or the harbor. The Harbour Cafe is located at the level of the big yachts. Its Asian-inspired fusion cuisine is fresh and honest. Whether it's continental brunch, grilled meats or local fish, wok noodles with southern vegetables, the choice on the menu is tight and well served. To eat in or take away.

The LD Restaurant is located within the Lešić Dimitri Palace in Korčula's old town. The menu offered at this 1-Michelin-star establishment is designed according to the ingredients available during the season. You'll find old Dalmatian recipes revisited by the chef, such as komiška pogača (typical fougasse from the island of Vis). Enjoy lunch al fresco on the terrace, overlooking the Pelješac canal and the Korčula archipelago. The restaurant also has two rooms that can be reserved for private dinners.

This small seaside restaurant is located on the road leading to the beaches south of Žuljana. There's nothing special on offer, but the staff are friendly and the dishes quite hearty. You can choose from the classics of Dalmatian cuisine (spaghetti with seafood, tuna steak, squid, pasticada, pork tenderloin...) or go for a pizza. On the way back from the beach, or for a break between swims, the Konoba Riva could be an ideal spot. Choose a table near the entrance for more shade.

The self-proclaimed best pasta restaurant in town is the oldest Italian restaurant, having opened about 20 years ago. That may be a bit of a boast! What is certain is that all the different pasta and gnocchi dishes at Toni's are good and quickly served. Other specialties include bruschetta and hearty seasonal salads drizzled with olive oil. Also worth trying: the fisherman's cuisine, tagliatelle, parpadelle, tuna and seafood tortellini or the sea/pesto risotto.

Only the terrace on the small square is pleasant. Mediterranean cuisine.

Pleasant restaurant, located under the same name, with its small shaded terrace and sea view. Traditional food.

A small, unpretentious restaurant just outside the town and next to the marina. It's one of the cheapest in the city. Also serves pizzas.

A new fusion type kitchen but without presentation. Affordable price for a dinner in mind, behind your second half, the Adriatic Sea. The Cigar bar and lounge bar Agora are two original attractions for VIP or simply intimate guests.

In summer, its terrace in the shade of palm trees, is one of the most popular. It is also the restaurant that is served later in the evening. International dishes and traditional Dalmatian cuisine.

The restaurant offers fresh fish daily, crustaceans, shells, black risotto, meat dishes, hors d'oeuvres, snacks… but also a cosy lunch menu and breakfasts. Large semi-covered terrace slightly on the heights at the entrance to the old town, side "Ploce" with private parking. A dominant view of the old town. Correct service and normal price.

Traditional, unpretentious restaurant nestled on a pleasant rooftop terrace overlooking the port of Gruž. Conveniently located, between Lapad beach and the train and bus stations, easily accessible from the old town by road or bus. Guests come here especially for the pizzas, which are cooked over a wood fire, grilled meat and fish, sausage and French fries, fresh pasta and black risotto. The house also prepares complete dishes cooked under the peka bell (to be ordered at least two hours in advance).

Just at the entrance of Mali Ston, after the national road and before entering the fishing port, there is a stall selling fresh produce but also seafood, which can be tasted on the spot. Thus, the famous oysters of Mali Ston, harvested in the morning, when it is the season. The debonair Liliana opens them for you with dexterity. The family also organizes expeditions to discover the oyster beds, including tasting of their gourmet products.

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, this is the restaurant for lunch or dinner. Located in the Gruž district, near the market, it doesn't have a terrace overlooking the port, but a large courtyard, where more and more people come to eat healthily on vacation. On the menu: vegetable soups, beet hummus, vegetarian burgers, falafel wraps, walnut salad, wholemeal pasta with tomato sauce or basil cream. You must try the raw chocolate cake.

This is the small fast-food restaurant located near the ferry pier in Dominče. A kiosk with a few tables in the shade is taken over by passengers waiting for the ferry (cars park right in front of the fast-food restaurant). The choice is not very wide: sandwiches, hamburgers, French fries, beer, wine, coffee... If you've arrived very early (and you should), this address can be particularly useful. You can also order takeaways and eat them on the benches nearby.

Zuzori is modern and sophisticated. This creative address seeks to distinguish itself from other establishments in the old town. The prices are high, but the dishes are beautifully presented and the cuisine refined. You'll find classic Dalmatian dishes, as well as Italian (paccheri, risotto...), Spanish (iberico tapilla) and Argentinian (black angus) products. The dishes are elegantly laid out on the plates, without overdoing it, in the manner of an upscale bistro. A fine wine list and professional service.

A historic address (first opened in 1920), just a stone's throw from the port. Fresh fish, meat dishes, pizzas, salads and desserts such as chocolate soufflé are offered at more reasonable prices than those in the old town. At lunchtime, takeaway sandwiches are also available. Finally, don't forget that Porat is also a café, so don't hesitate to drop in for a coffee or a drink accompanied by tapas. In the morning, several breakfast formulas are available at reduced prices.

After the Porte du Pile, in the direction of the Hilton Hotel, then slightly to the left, you'll find this address partially hidden by vegetation. Here, there are no tables lined up in an alleyway, and no view of the sea, but a beautiful^19th-century building, classic bourgeois furnishings and a terrace under the trees. You'll come for a drink or for Dalmatian food (sea and local), as well as burgers and vegetarian options. In the morning, breakfast formulas with different types of omelettes and toast. Good choice of Croatian wines.

At the end of a sloping path, a family restaurant serves excellent grilled meat, fish and seafood, octopus, squid, scampi, as well as seasonal vegetables. There are also dishes cooked under the peka, such as hare a la Žrnovo, often served on a common platter where each table helps itself, just like in a family meal or with friends. The products are local, as is the wine. The menu is in French and the friendly welcome is in English. The owners also rent houses and rooms in the village.

An inventive cuisine for this small restaurant, with wooden tables installed in an alley just before the cathedral. The menu features charcuterie/cheese planchas, meat dishes, grilled calamari and fish, brochettes, seafood and fresh pasta. Original touches like this shark steak with potatoes en papillote or this chicken curry with peaches. The steak house also offers vegetarian dishes and good desserts. Smiling service, intimate and friendly atmosphere.

Close to the Korčula Hotel, with the immediate vicinity of the Kanavelić Tower, this elegant establishment has a beautiful Renaissance terrace. In the kitchen, fish is prepared in the coastal tradition. It is sold by weight, usually grilled, accompanied by southern vegetables. Other traditional recipes include squid risotto with squid ink, octopus salad, lobster in buzara (made with white wine and olive oil), with spaghetti, all served neatly and accompanied by local white wine.

It is said that the owner only buys bread and meat to run his restaurant! The other products used grow on the island or come from local fishing. For spices, caper is the most common. It is found in the anchovies at the entrance, on the grouper cooked in lemon, in the octopus risotto... If you like sea food, the choice is large, everything is delicious. With the added bonus of a superb view of Zaklopatica Bay. Rent rooms and apartments on the upper floors.

The Zure family runs this restaurant in the spirit of agroturizam, that is, they use only organic, produce their own olive oil, their balanced wines (grk, pošip, plavac), coupling of black varieties and the white(grk zure) as well as homemade spirits (Travarica, Anižeta and Lozovača). They also prepare fresh fish, caught in the bay, grilled meat, fresh pasta and dishes in sauce. The family also offers lodging and fishing trips to the sea!