Here are some of the top restaurants in Dubrovnik to dine and drink in when visiting, as well as some of the best bars!
Lucin Kantun
Od Sigurate
Website: lucinkantun.com
Close to Pile Gate, in one of the small streets just off Stradun, is this real find – we highly recommend it! A series of small dishes, some unusual, some more traditional, means that you and your dining companions can pick and choose several items and share them between you.
Musts are the Paski Sir (cheese from Pag island) plate and Dalmatian Prsut (Prosciutto); there are also small fish and meat dishes (small lamb pieces in lavender and honey being particularly unusual) and even staples such as bruschetta and mozzarella with tomato come pleasingly displayed (not to mention tastily prepared).
There’s a reasonably detailed wine list (ask for help if you need it) and the service is top-notch – very friendly and smiles from everyone.
There are some tables outside though these can get taken quickly in the evening; the inside is no less fun as the open-style kitchen means you can watch as meals get put together.
When we were there, an older American gentleman popped in to take some soup back to his place of stay (we presume for someone too tired or poorly to make it out), and the restaurant willingly obliged, providing him with soup in a china bowl with cutlery!
Nautika
Brsalje 3
Website: www.nautikarestaurants.com/restaurant-nautika
Voted as one of the most romantic restaurants in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, you’ll have no doubt why when you arrive here – there are absolutely gorgeous views out to sea and overlooking parts of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
The concise menu offers some charming Croatian-style dishes, with a number of fish, seafood and meat options; there is also an extensive wine list. Interestingly, Nautika is housed in what was once the Dubrovnik School of Maritime Studies.
Poklisar
Ribarnica 1
Website: www.poklisar.com
In a fantastic location by the Old Town harbour, this restaurant straddles the pathway out to sea.
There are plenty of fish dishes, unsurprisingly, but try one of the equally tasty pasta options for something different. (The Spaghetti Poklisar is certainly very tasty, with both shrimp and Dalmatian smoked ham in a cream sauce.)
Service may be a little less friendly than in some other places (but not at all rude), but the live jazz (piano and saxophone) more than makes up for it.
Dubravka 1836
Brsalje 1
Website: www.nautikarestaurants.com/dubravka-restaurant-cafe/
This is one of the places that teeters close to the edge of being quite touristy – but given its location (just outside the Old Town, near Pile Gate) and its simply stunning views out to sea, we’ll recommend it. (Not to mention you’ll find locals eating here too – always a good sign.)
There’s a slightly mind-boggling array of dishes on the menu, but they are of good quality. We suggest coming here for lunch (perhaps for a light pasta dish or a salad) or perhaps coffee and a dessert, or a drink or two so you can take in the gorgeous surroundings.
Lokanda Peskarija
Na ponti bb
Website: www.lokandapeskarija.com
Another restaurant in a stunning location overlooking the Old Town harbour, this place serves fish and seafood…and fish and seafood. Unfortunately for those that don’t do fish, there’s not very much on the menu for you…but if you do, you’re certainly in for a treat.
Because of the reasonably small seating area, you might sometimes have to queue to get a table during high season, but never for that long, it seems.
The plate of mussels is divine, shrimp and prawns too – and make sure you get a carafe of house wine to wash it all down with.
Proto
Siroka 1
Website: www.esculaprestaurants.com/?proto=dubrovnik
Another fabulous location – this time almost halfway down Stradun, although the restaurant is technically just off this main thoroughfare.
One of Dubrovnik’s most famous seafood restaurants, it’s also quite upmarket (reflected in the prices), but certainly the place to come for a special meal. There’s seating outside, but the best place to try and get a table is on the rooftop terrace.
360 Restaurant
Sv. Dominka bb
Website: 360dubrovnik.com
Set right in the Old Town Walls (towards Ploce Gate), this place probably has one of the best views in the whole of Dubrovnik, over the Old Town harbour. Another upmarket restaurant, this is definitely the sort of restaurant to come if you’d like a special night.
360 Restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine made from some of the finest locally sourced produce. There’s also a lovely cocktail bar serving excellent drinks.
Urban & Veggie
Obala Stjepana Radica 13
Website: urbanveggie.restaurant/en
An excellent choice for all vegetarians and vegans – and anyone else who would like to opt for a plant-based meal. Urban & Veggie offer a complete menu offering the best seasonal ingredients primarily from family-owned farms in the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik. Highlights include the eggplant tartare, the risotto antracit (with mushrooms), mac ‘n’ tease gnocchi made from homemade “cheddar” sauce, raw spaghetti made from courgette, and not forgetting their famous veggie burger.
Azur
10 Pobijana ulica
Website: www.azurvision.com
An excellent choice in the Old Town for a fusion restaurant, this place serves (largely fish and seafood) “Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian twist” – think Croatian takes on laksa, donburi and Szechuan prawn dishes, plus tacos, sliders and more. Azur is run by two brothers who hail from the city; chef Vedran Perojevic opened his first Azur restaurant in Zhuhai, China in 2010.
Holy Burek
Ulica Od Puca 22
Website: www.instagram.com/holyburek
Enjoy that most excellent of Balkan fast food items, burek, at this charming place. Producing long and thin versions of burek with typical fillings – you can go wrong with cheese and spinach – this is a great choice for a quick bite to eat.
Post-meal ice cream!
Don’t forget to pick up an ice cream (or several) – the perfect post-dinner sweet, or something to ‘treat yourself with after a hard day’s sightseeing.
You’ll see many an inviting slasticarna (ice cream shop) such as Peppino’s in locations throughout Dubrovnik and the Old Town, including a few on Stradun. There’s also a great one located just next to the Poklisar restaurant.
Decide on the flavour of your kugla (scoop, but the word literally means ball) and stroll to the water’s edge to sit on the stone floor and watch the world go by.
Bars in Dubrovnik
Dubrovacka Pivovara
Obala Pape Ivana Pavla II 15
Website: www.dubrovackapivovara.hr
If you like your beer, then Dubrovacka Pivovara (which translates to Dubrovnik Brewery) is the best place for you! A lively joint, come down to try their own very fine beers and/or pick from their selection of guest beers. They often host live bands and other exciting events to really ramp up the atmosphere. If you’re really into your beer, why not join their brewery tour to learn more about their production processes and also to sample some of their drinks.
Love Bar Dubrovnik
Andrije Hebranga 95
Website: lovebardubrovnik.com
Enjoy cocktails with a view on the roof terrace of this place in the Gruz district of the city. Open until 2am every day (yes, really!) come by during for day for some chilled drinking time or in the evening for one of their fun, themed music nights.