A guide to the best restaurants in Dubrovnik

Sample oysters at Bota Sushi & Oyster Bar

Situated in the heart of the Old Town, the Bota Sushi & Oyster Bar is a popular restaurant in Dubrovnik. Aside from its attractive interior and raised terrace with white parasols, it offers an exciting selection of fresh oyster dishes and beautifully presented sushi. Everything is locally sourced, and highlights include tiger prawn tempura. An expansive list of fine wines, champagnes and spirits make this family-owned restaurant in Dubrovnik one to add to your foodie wish list. There’s a simple dessert selection of chocolate cake, seasonal fruits or kolac od datula, a cake made from dates.

Try Taj Mahal for Bosnian cuisine

You might expect the exotically named Taj Mahal to serve curry but in fact, it specialises in traditional Bosnian dishes. Starters on the menu include the Taj Mahal platter featuring dried beef sausage or sujuk, a selection of dried beef and various cheeses. For mains, there’s a choice of fresh seafood, salads and grilled meats. Try klepe, a homemade egg pasta filled with veal meat in white sauce. Many of the salads are a surprisingly meaty affair with the Devilish salad featuring arugula, lettuce and turkey in a horseradish dressing. The Edo salad includes an unusual mix of lettuce, arugula, dried beef, cheese and black olives.

Get authentic at Konoba Dalmatino

For those wanting authentic and attractively served Bulgarian food, Konobo Dalmatino is one to consider. It’s one of the top restaurants in Dubrovnik for straightforward Dalmatian food, and serves a selection of seafood and meat dishes. Black seafood risotto is a real treat. It has calamari, shrimp, octopus and mussels served in squid ink. Meat eaters should try the succulent Zrnovski Makaruli, a traditional handmade pasta originating from Korcula Island served with slow cooked beef cheeks and topped with Grana Padano cheese. The wine list features a decent selection of reds, whites, pinks and sparkling options. Round off with the chocolate fondant or cheesecake.

Squeeze into Barba

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced ‘hole in the wall’ eatery, it doesn’t get much better than Barba. This is one of the many small and welcoming restaurants in Dubrovnik, Croatia which offers fish-based ‘street food’ and an ever-changing list of daily specials. With seating for around ten diners, it’s the perfect spot for lunch. Be prepared to queue or get there early. All food is locally sourced and cooked to order. When they run out of stock, the restaurant closes for the day. If you manage to get a table, go for specilaities such as the octopus burger or tempura prawns. If you’re after healthy Mediterranean food, this charming restaurant should not be missed.

Enjoy the views at Nautika

Nautika prides itself on being among the best restaurants in Dubrovnik, Croatia. With an enticing setting, offering views of the sea and city walls, it’s ideal for those wanting to dress up and enjoy a sophisticated dining experience. They use only fresh seafood and serve local lobster from the island of Vis. As well as the plentiful fish choices, there’s a selection of meat options. Dalmatian-style lamb cutlets served with purple cabbage, chickpeas and onion marmalade is a hearty and palate-pleasing dish. If you want to sample a range of delights, the tasting menu offers dishes such as homemade fish soup, cuttlefish medallions, and the carob cake is not to be missed.

Get cosy at Komin

Venture a little further afield to the Lapad Peninsula to enjoy traditional Croatian fare at its best at Komin. When it comes to authentic cuisine, Komin is a must-try restaurant in Dubrovnik. You’ll find Croatian dishes in abundance on its simple yet hearty menu. It has an old world atmosphere with a large, open fireplace and tavern-style decor. Lamb and veal peka is perfect for those in search of a good, honest tummy-pleasing meal. The dish usually comes served with vegetables and potatoes.

Foodies will certainly be in their element during a visit to Dubrovnik. From elegant hi-end dining to a more authentic Croatian experience, a combination of hearty dishes, fresh ingredients and decent wines will make evenings out an exciting culinary feast that’s sure to delight.