Best Restaurants
and local cuisine in Dubrovnik
Cruise Port Guide: Review (2023)

When on a cruise to Dubrovnik and specially when visiting the Old Town, there are few streets where you cannot find a restaurant. In fact, it is sometimes complicated to pick one as there are so many choices.

Contents

1. Arsenal Taverna
2. Café Festival
3. Konoba Lokanda Peskarija
4. Proto
5. Steak House Domino
6. Kavana Dubravka
7. Nautika
8. Mimoza
9. Porat
10. Tovjerna Sesame
11. Orsan

The cruise traveler can always follow your nose: there is always good local tasty fare, from fresh seafood cooked in olive oil, to scampi served in the shell. If you want to fit in, and eat like a local, don’t pick up a fork to eat your scampi, use your hands, and suck the head like a crawdad in New Orleans.

One of life’s simple pleasures is sitting in a restaurant in Dubrovnik and enjoy the colorful town or just people watching. With so many good restaurants in Dubrovnik, the choice and diversity are there for the cruise traveler to easily pick the one that will catch the fancy of the day. Looking at menus outside the restaurants is always advisable and, surely, there will be attractive terraces and esplanades in wonderful spots that will appeal whilst exploring the old city.

Restaurants Editor's Picks: A to Z

The restaurants below are suggestions based on recommendations by experienced travelers that have visited Dubrovnik, the experience of the Editor in the last 18 years and the most recent visit to Dubrovnik in May 2018. Naturally, because the cruise season spans between Spring and Summer, restaurants with al fresco seating were primarily chosen.

Arsenal Taverna at Gradska Kavana
(Restaurant and Coffee Shop) - $$ | $$$

This wonderful upscale terrace restaurant and coffee house is an Austro-Hungarian styled one time cult meeting place, located near the Ploce gate. You’ll find excellent foods, cakes, coffee and wine list.

Café Festival - $$ | $$$

This restaurant is well-priced for a quick bite or lunch with an excellent terrace, located right on Stradum near the Pile Gate, with its blue awning. Perfect for the cruise traveler to enjoy people watching. In the heat of summer sun, try sitting inside, and enjoy pastries, salads, pastas or fancy cocktails and mingle with locals.

Konoba Lokanda Peskarija
Fish by the Harbor - $$ | $$$

This is an old fashioned seafaring type restaurant right on the old Ploče harbor, and is one of the most popular. Great place to relax, eat and “people watch”. Prices are low and the food is great. The fried small fish, the black squid ink risotto and the octopus salad are delicacies worth a try.

Proto - $$$ | $$$$

Referred to as the little brother of the more expensive Nautika, Proto has a romantic ambiance and friendly service. With a choice of sidewalk dining or upstairs in the garden terrace, choose the terrace with dark wood, glass and stone walls. Starting with an excellent wine list, this restaurant boasts serving dishes from “grandma’s recipe book “, and all local ingredients.

Steak House Domino - $$ | $$$

This restaurant is just what it’s called, a great Steakhouse. It opened in 1982, and is a place where you can relax and enjoy your steak cooked to order, or order one of the other domestic or international dishes.

Kavana Dubravka
Affordable Al Fresco - $ | $$

Surrounded by the most beautiful town fortifications and the sea, the cruise traveler is invited to enjoy an outstanding view either sitting for a light fare or a full lunch - and do not worry about your wallet. Menu and food is great and affordable here, from breakfast to steaks and everything in between. Also has an excellent souvenir shop.

Nautika
Splurge with a View - $$$$

There was a time when Nautika was open for lunch but for some years now it only serves dinner after 6 PM. If your cruise ship sails late or is staying overnight in Dubrovnik, this is definetely a restaurant to have in mind. The Nautika is the place to enjoy gourmet cuisine as well as enjoy an awesome view overlooking the bay by the Pile Gate or in its grand interior. The elegant cuisine offers local fresh seafood and international choices. Nautika was placed by Conde Nast Traveler amongst the top ten for “most romantic” restaurant in the World.

Mimoza - $$ | $$$

Mimoza is located 200 meters from the Pile gate, close to the Hilton Hotel and has been serving guests since 1953. With elegant inside room, and a very attractive terrace, ideal for the cruise traveler to enjoy fresh fish, steaks, pasta, pizzas and vegetarian dishes.

Porat
Splurge - $$$ | $$$$

Enjoy gourmet cuisine in the elegant second floor restaurant of the Hilton Hotel, where you will find exotic flavors from a menu of local foods, with a twist. Be sure to check out the restaurants “Chef’s Signature Dishes”.

Tovjerna Sesame - $$ | $$$

Located in a 200 year old home, this restaurant has a vine-covered second floor terrace with pergola, and a wonderful romantic atmosphere. They specialize in Dubrovnik and Mediterranean Cuisine. The cruise traveler will find a moderately priced wine list.

Orsan - $$$ | $$$$

The awesome restaurant of Dubrovnik’s Yacht Club has every seat on the terrace right by the water’s edge, overlooking yachts and recreational boats. The cruise passenger will find excellent food and wine choices, and a very romantic spot in the evening if your ship sails late.

 

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