The Top Restaurants and Bars in Dubrovnik
Often called the Pearl of the Adriatic, this fascinating city is renowned for its world-class cuisine. Fresh, locally-sourced seafood is at the top of most menus, and full-bodied reds are in most people’s glasses. And if you’re wondering where the locals eat in Dubrovnik, we’ve got you covered. From filling octopus burgers and fresh oysters to outstanding sushi and champagne in a fine dining restaurant, this city has it all. Use this guide to find where to eat in Dubrovnik, as well as the current hot spots for grabbing an aperitivo, cocktail, or glass of wine.
Discover the secret cliffside Buza Bar
This bar may be very well hidden, but it’s one of the most popular in Dubrovnik, and we can see why. After slipping through a small gateway in the city walls, you’ll step out into an opening, revealing a magnificent view of the city’s coastline. Located on an imposing cliff face overlooking the Adriatic Sea, nothing beats sipping on a cool cocktail or full-bodied Croatian red at Buza Bar. Seats are carved out into the rock face, and cushions are strewn across the stone, ensuring you experience a memorable bar experience.
For an extra touch of magic, not only can you watch some of the most breathtaking sunsets, but you can also watch the brave cliff divers leaping into the ocean, or catch a movie projected right onto the cliff-face. Buza bar is by far one of the best bars in Dubrovnik, so it’s a good thing there are now two locations!
Grab some local street food at Barba
It comes as no surprise that the next place on this list was featured on the Netflix series, “Somebody Feed Phil”. This little hole-in-the-wall restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a meal on the go, giving you more time to enjoy the beautiful city of Dubrovnik. Barba uses only the freshest ingredients, and each dish is made to order, so once they run out of seafood, they close for the day.
You can enjoy fun twists on street food classics, with a menu featuring octopus burgers, local oysters, and tempura prawns. They also serve up some of the best local beer and wine to accompany their innovative dishes, making it one of the best places to eat in Dubrovnik. You can even leave your mark on this quirky restaurant by signing a wooden fork and adding it to their collection on the wall.
Enjoy something fresh at Bota Šare Oyster Bar & Sushi Bar
This adorable, family-run restaurant, located near the stunning Dubrovnik Cathedral, serves up some of the freshest oysters in the city. Bota Oyster Bar sources their oysters from the owner’s farm on the Pelješac Peninsula, so you can trust that they are sustainably sourced. This picturesque restaurant also offers delicious sushi prepared from locally-sourced fish, fantastic tartare, and even tempura oysters — in case raw seafood isn’t your thing.
Top it all off with a bottle of their famous champagne, and you’ve got yourself a dining experience like no other. If you’re keen to try some of the city’s famous oysters, Bota needs to be on your list of places to eat in Dubrovnik.
Awaken your taste buds at the Taj Mahal
Don’t let the name fool you, at this year-round restaurant, you can expect hearty portions of Bosnian and Balkan specialities, from succulent steaks and creamy chicken soup to zaljanica pastries and aromatic charcoal grilled kebabs. They also serve up traditional Turkish desserts, Bosnian breakfasts, and of course, strong, gritty Turkish coffee.
Born from a love of simple yet tasty food, the owners of this beloved eatery bring family recipes to life using only the freshest ingredients (including meat from their own butcher). Part of the charm of the Taj Mahal is the cozy, intimate setting with only a handful of tables, so if you’re wondering what to eat in Dubrovnik but need a break from Dalmatian seafood, you don’t want to miss this Michelin Guide-approved spot.
Sample the surrounding wine region at D’Vino
Beyond the historic city walls of Dubrovnik lies one of Croatia’s finest wine regions, where beautiful vineyards stretch across rolling green hills. But for those short on time, you can enjoy several tastings of local drops at one of the best bars in Dubrovnik’s Old Town: D’Vino. Opened in 2008, D’Vino was the city’s first fully dedicated wine bar, specializing in local wines from the Pelješac Peninsula and neighboring Korčula Island.
This fantastic establishment is run by Sasha, an Australian-Croatian wine connoisseur, and stocks over 100 varieties of domestic wine, including standout Slavonian, Dalmatian, and Istrian labels, with more than 50 available by the glass. The cherry on top? They also serve tailor-made meat and cheese platters to perfectly complement their wines.
Escape the crowds at M’arden
Since there are so many amazing reds and whites to experience across the region, it’s also worth mentioning M’arden on this list. This fantastic wine bar provides a serene oasis away from the crowds and heat of the Old Town, where you can relax in a peaceful courtyard filled with plants and white stones. Enjoy a delicious drop — from rich reds like Plavac Mali to crisp whites — carefully paired with an outstanding selection of tapas.
The venue also hosts live performers, allowing you to be serenaded as you look out over Old Town and sip on a delicious glass of vino, making this one of the standout bars in Dubrovnik.
