A guide to food and drink in Montenegro

Exploring Montenegro's delicacies

Being as close to Italy as to countries like Bulgaria has made Montenegrin cuisine pretty distinctive. Grilled meats are tremendously popular here, from patties and steaks to kebabs, yet there’s also a strong tradition in breads, milks and cheeses.

Make sure you try local treats like popara — a meal made by mixing flavoursome oils, rich cheeses, milk and crusty bread — or instead opt for hearty spiced soups. We’ve listed some of Montenegro’s best dining experiences below to help you decide where to start.

Sample rich seafood at Stari Mlini, Kotor

Kotor is one of the most scenic towns in Europe, with sloped narrow streets and evocative architecture. In an old water-powered flour mill is Stari Mlini, which mixes rustic Montenegrin traditions with the benefits of being based in a town on the Adriatic coast.

The seafood here is as fresh as it is flavoursome, and your surroundings are as cosy as they come. Think rivers over streams, flag-stoned courtyards and varnished, warm interiors.

Try a traditional steak at Kod Milosa, Becici

Big tasty steaks, succulent soups and sumptuous salads are among the treats you’ll find at this Belici-based venue, which emphasises wholesome family dining that doesn’t break the bank. Dining on the balcony gives a great view of the town, especially after dark.

Continental palates will be teased into submission by salami and cheese platters and enticing pasta. The service here is down to earth as much as it’s speedy and smiling, so you’re going to have plenty of time to catch up with the folks over dinner while the chef whips up a sensation.

Taste affordable tradition at Konoba Feral, Herceg-Novi

A trip to the small town of Herceg-Novi is an opportunity to connect with the values and traditions of the local culture during holidays to Montenegro, and that’s never more true than when dining at Konoba Feral.

A warm welcome and an affordable menu that doesn’t skimp on options awaits you here, which gives you the chance to opt for some old fashioned local meals. Alternatively, you can also go for risotto, fish or a thick and creamy soup. Whatever you choose, rest assured you’re going to leave feeling satisfied.

Eat family food by the sea at Restaurant Drago, Stevi Stefan

While researching your Montenegro holiday, you’ve probably heard about stunning Stevi Stefan – a classical town perched on an island peninsula and cupped by sturdy stone walls. Tucked up high with sublime sea views is the family run Restaurant Drago.

The location means you’ve got options between seafood from the Adriatic or roasted meats from the heartlands, all served swiftly with that personal touch that only a family restaurant can provide.

See how they master mince in Pod Volat, Podgorica

A visit to Montenegro’s capital should never be undertaken without a trip to the sublime steakhouse that is Pod Volat. Grilled, fried, broiled or roasted, they can cook your meats however you please, while the menu also offers a fair selection of rich, nourishing soups and stews.

The house speciality is a minced meat dish, known as cevapcici, that adds sausages to the mix for a wholesome and filling dinner. It’s a traditional meal from the south of Montenegro, so no visit to the country is going to be complete without it.