Dubrovnik Dining     

An adventurous menu from chic Gils


Blitva and Calamari: a low-cost staple

Dubrovnik dining has improved exponentially in recent years. The influx of tourists has added variety to the menus of Dubrovnik restaurants even if the prices have climbed steeply. Increasingly, you have an increasingly wide selection of cuisine from Mexican to fusion.The staple of traditional Dubrovnik cuisine is fish and seafood, expertly prepared but not necessarily local. The demand for best quality fish and shellfish far outstrips the supply, particularly in high season, and restaurants are often forced to buy frozen fish from afar.

Dubrovnik Cuisine

The basic style of Dubrovnik cuisine is Mediterranean. The emphasis is on olive oil, not butter. Polenta is a popular side dish and most dishes are liberally seasoned with parsley and garlic.

With strong historic links to Italy, it's unsurprising that pasta and risotto is served in nearly every restaurant. Pizza is another favorite, usually toasted up in wood-fired ovens.

Self-caterers will find grocery stores in the side streets off Stradun in the Old Town, along the main streets of Lapad and a morning market in Gundulic square in the Old Town.

Prices

Because of its tourist business, prices are higher in Dubrovnik than elsewhere but you can still get a plate of pasta that often makes a light meal for 50 to 60HRK. There is usually no minimum order so don't be embarrassed about ordering only one dish.

Fish and seafood is expensive, running from 300 to 400HRK a kg; an average serving is 250-300g. Calamari is cheaper. The price of grilled fish varies little from one restaurant to another. It's the quality of fish that counts, not the quality of the restaurant.

Fixed-price menus are a rarity although some places offer special, cheaper lunch menus. If you'd like to eat well on a budget, it pays to make lunch your main meal.

Vegetarians are no longer relegated to pizza and pasta. As Dubrovnik becomes increasingly cosmopolitan, chefs are learning to cater to a vegetarian clientele. Many menus now propose vegetarian dishes based upon local and seasonal vegetables. Blitva is a staple. If you don't see a vegetarian alternative, don't hesitate to ask!

Dress

Dining in Dubrovnik is relatively casual, especially at lunch. At dinner, a jacket and tie is in order only at the most top-end restaurants. Smart-casual is fine at mid-level restaurants and, as for pizza places, well, don't come in a bathing suit. The locals tend to be casual but fashionable dressers so you'll feel more comfortable not wearing sneakers (trainers) when dining out at night.

Hours

Most restaurants open from noon to midnight and serve all day. Top-end restaurants will often confine themselves to a lunch and dinner service only.

Customs

Tipping: It's considered polite to "round up" the bill and but leave more of a tip for larger bills.
Credit Cards: Accepted everywhere
Cover Charge: Often 10% and must be mentioned somewhere on the menu.
Reservations: Generally only necessary for the most upscale establishments.

Related Pages

Dubrovnik Travel Guide

Best Dubrovnik Restaurants

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