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Best Restaurants in Kotor
There is an abundance of pretty average restaurants in Kotor. Some might even be characterized as tourist traps, and rightly so. However, there are also many quite decent eateries but just a small percentage of them are truly extraordinary. In an increasingly popular tourist destination such as Kotor, which attracts a certain sort of well-traveled gourmet, there is certainly demand for innovative culinary concepts.
As an Epicurean, you need options, plenty of delicious food options. Because, eventually, you don’t know exactly what you desire. After a lengthy day exploring Kotor’s Old Town squares and cobblestone streets, we can show you that Montenegrin food is way more than just pasta and pizza; Kotor is one of the Adriatic’s up-and-coming culinary destinations. The scene is fast-moving so when locals ensconce themselves in a place that they genuinely appreciate, rumors spread fast within the foodie community.
Kotor Old Town
Charming medieval piazzas lined with al fresco diners and small boutiques, Kotor’s Old Town is well worth a visit. Its city walls are listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Pepe Nero
Elegance, refinement, and delicious cuisine – Pepe Nero brings to Kotor all the necessary ingredients for an utmost enjoyable culinary experience. The quality of the food, the pleasant ambiance – both indoors and outside on the restaurant patio – and the cordial service give Pepe Nero the right to be considered one of the best restaurants in Kotor.
It is located right on the serene mik square, in the heart of the old town, and dishes up a balanced take on the Mediterranean. Traditional Adriatic flavors and seasonal produce are combined to create particularly delicious results. Black sesame-crusted tuna with asparagus and mashed potatoes, juicy beef steak in red wine and blueberry sauce, and gnocchi with smoked salmon are only some of their magical offerings.
Pepe Nero
This was missing from the restaurant scene in Kotor! Pepe Nero is an authentic Italian Restaurant, serving traditional dishes with a modern twist in the heart of the old town.
La Ricetta
Ozzie Power! La Ricetta, an Italian restaurant set in an elegantly restored Baroque palazzo on the Dobrota waterfront, is top-class from every perspective. A talented couple from Australia who are obsessed with getting the details right – the atmosphere, the service, and of course the food – tick all the boxes. The Aussies are now putting their unique stamp on Kotor’s culinary landscape.
The cuisine is uncompromising yet committed to its Italian heritage, offering all-time classics – such as Spaghetti a la carbonara, Sicilian citrus salad with pistachio, or marinated white anchovies – in a new light. But that is only half the story. Carnivores can choose between A5-graded Kobe beef imported from Japan and Uruguayan picanha or tenderloin fillet steak, cooked to perfection and paired with one of their excellent red wines.
The artfully presented meals are made with fresh, local, and top-quality ingredients with ingenious spins in all the right places. It does not hurt that they have a vegetables and herbs garden right by the kitchen, easily accessible by the cooks to be used in full in each of the dishes. Check out La Ricetta, you won’t be disappointed.
Restaurants in the Old Town
Classic Adriatic menus, creative pasta dishes, and sophisticated contemporary meals jostle for your attention in Kotor’s Old Town Restaurants.
Galion Restaurant
Situated across the harbor, overlooking Kotor’s City Walls and large swaths of the Bay of Kotor, Galion explores Coastal Montenegro’s fascinating culinary past. The restaurant’s talented kitchen chefs reinterpret old recipes in a fresh, contemporary way. Great food paired with friendly, attentive, and professional service, is the winning combination that return guests have grown accustomed to.
Leaning toward fresh Adriatic cuisine, with hints of flavors from far-off lands, the a la carte menu allows diners to sample delicious delights such as thyme-infused squid ink risotto, fillets of John Dory with grilled vegetables, and sesame-seared tuna. Our tip: ask to be seated on the scenic outdoor terrace; reservation might be required.
Galion possesses a serene and elegant atmosphere, but once the tasty dishes start to hit the table, you will understand why this restaurant has made the grade. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the well throughout and extensive wine menu. A great venue for a romantic wedding anniversary or serene birthday dinner.
Reservations under: +382 67 263 420
Kotor City Walls
Kotor’s City Walls are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They include a series of mighty bastions, city gates, and even a church.
Konoba Timun
Designed for those who adore the rustic Mediterranean aesthetic, Konoba Timun is housed in a traditional stone building that is ideally situated right on the coastal promenade in Dobrota and has quickly established a name for itself as a safe place for authentic, home-cooked food. The owners pride themselves on preparing every order fresh using traditional Adriatic recipes and cooking styles.
And while the beautiful Mediterranean outdoor terrace with its lush olive and citrus trees wows, the food in this family tavern is anything but an afterthought. The menu is short but sweet, focussed on locally caught seafood cooked to perfection. The octopus salad, baby shrimp risotto with saffron, and the prawn carpaccio were some of the highlights when we visited.
Reservations under: +382 67 258 177
Konoba Bonaca
Bonaca is a Montenegrin word meaning dead calm sea, and the name couldn’t be more appropriate for this family-run tavern serving dangerously delicious lunch and dinner year-round. Opened in 2018, Konoba Bonaca is considered by many as one of Montenegro’s finest eateries where almost everything is guaranteed to be delicious.
The restaurant’s location right at the waterfront means that most of the dishes are heavily influenced by the Adriatic Sea but there are also options for vegans and meat eaters. The Bonaca’s vibrant cuisine tastes delicious, healthy, and fresh, delivering more of an upscale dining experience. Along with the view, sure to impress your date on a romantic night out!
Octopus carpaccio, poached monkfish with artichoke and dried cherry tomatoes served on fennel puree, and tuna steak in pistachio crust are only some of their exceptional offerings. Of course, diners are also spoilt with the finest selection of local and international wines.
Reservations under: +382 69 354 393
Konoba Portun
Also situated on the coastal promenade, right next to Bonaca and just a stone’s throw from the waters of the Bay of Kotor, the cuisine in Konoba Portun focuses on classic Montenegrin fare (meat and fish), augmented by fine modern touches. Expect carefully considered dishes made from domestically sourced fresh ingredients, demonstrating Konoba Portun’s deep knowledge of fresh flavors and Adriatic roots.
Take the picturesque route to the table (request to be seated by the water) and then settle in for tuna carpaccio with truffles and shrimp tartare followed by the generous fish platter for two – in the unreal surroundings of this breathtaking landscape. For dessert, remember to ask for the fig cake which will probably be the best you have ever tried.
Reservations under: +382 68 086 101
Bay of Kotor
The charming and picturesque Bay of Kotor demands to be explored. With coastal towns like Kotor, Perast, and Herceg Novi it is a cultural and culinary hotbed.
Tiha Noc Restaurant
Tiha Noc is a waterfront restaurant in Dobrota with a history dating back to 1987 and it is still going strong, now with another owner and a fresh Turkish concept. This is the place to come in the morning or at night for delicious kebab specialties, lamb tagine, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), and wonderful Turkish desserts such as Baklava.
Along with a memorable sea view, they also serve Montenegrin craft beer as well as a small range of local wine; sommeliers look elsewhere. Tiha Noc is set to become one of your favorites during your visit to the Bay of Kotor. Whatever you decide on will be tasty and seductive and demonstrate a good understanding of Turkish flavors. Solid picks include Iskender kebab in tomato sauce and the mezze platter for sharing.
Reservations under: +382 32 330 880
Things to do in Kotor
Wondering what to see and what are the best things to do in Kotor? Find out which are the most significant landmarks, (family-friendly) activities, and more.
Taverna Bura
Run by a family with strong roots in the Boka region, the authentic Taverna Bura specializes in regional meat and, above all, fish specialties (the top-quality fish measured by the kilogram is slightly more expensive than other menu items), as well as secret family recipes such as mussels a la Buzara, a healthy and delicious soup with white wine, garlic, parsley, and black mussels sourced from local farmers.
Bura is the strong northern wind that ravages the Adriatic Coast on cold winter days, and there is little doubt that the delicious food in the Bura will not also blow you away. Pop in for grilled octopus in almond and honey sauce, stuffed squids with ham and cheese, or simply the grilled catch of the day, and enjoy it on their amazing outdoor terrace.
Reservations under: +382 67 842 032
Marenda Steakhouse
The Marenda Steakhouse (from Spanish: afternoon snack) is the embodiment of a classic steakhouse, from its handsome dark and warm interior to the emphasis on dry aging. On top of classics like Porterhouse and T-Bone Steak, their signature dry-aged beef steak cooked in the 600 C° grill is certainly a highlight.
Owned and operated by Kotor natives who also run a butcher shop, Marenda specializes in thick and juicy prime cuts that are locally sourced. They also serve several gourmet burgers, healthy salads, and a top-notch breakfast. It’s not just carnivores who’ll love the Marenda Steakhouse – there’s something for almost every palate.
Insider tip: try the melt-in-mouth dry-aged burger or the mixed meat platter for sharing if you are unsure.
Reservations under: +382 69 340 300
Kotor
The walled city of Kotor is one of the must-see highlights of Montenegro. Immerse yourself in the laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere of its maze of narrow cobblestone streets.
Catovica Mlini
It may have something to do with the crowd of sports stars, artists, and bohemians who have made Catovica Mlini their sanctuary. Or, it could be its incredible natural surroundings, defined by lush Mediterranean greenery and picturesque water ponds (with ducks, fish, and wooden bridges) against the backdrop of the gigantic Mount Orjen, that make this restaurant 25 kilometers north of Kotor so special.
The restaurant’s ‘back-to-the-countryside‘ ethos breezed new life into the complex of old, abandoned watermills that now house Catovica Mlini. This approach has also influenced their cooking, minimizing food miles by procuring local produce. The menu mirrors its Adriatic heritage – seafood carpaccio, monkfish skewers, and sea bass fillets in white truffle sauce to name but three.
Reservations under: +382 68 333 444
Atrium
Another hidden gem in the Old Town, just meters away from Kotor Cathedral, Atrium seductively beckons loyal patrons and passers-by to indulge in a long lazy feast. Scoring high on aesthetics, with a lush courtyard and ancient stone arches as one of its main attributes, the Atrium’s chefs combine the tangy flavors of the East with the freshest ingredients from the Adriatic.
The innovative menu allows diners to either stick with firm local favorites such as tuna tartare, risotto with seafood, or veal in mushroom sauce or, try something with some subtle fusion undertones. The Tom Yum soup is impossible to resist while the veal medallions in truffle sauce are to die for.
Reservations under: +382 68 642 500
St. Tryphon’s Cathedral
One of the most emblematic structures in the old town, Kotor Cathedral dates back to the 12th century. The relics of Saint Tryphon are safeguarded in two ancient reliquaries.
La Catedral Pasta Bar
Pasta lovers take note: just a few steps away from the St. Tryphon Cathedral, you can have an authentic Italian culinary experience. The incredibly cozy La Catedral Pasta Bar is always busy for a reason – portion sizes are on the larger size, hmm… sembra delizioso. Diners are welcome to sit outside on the narrow, secluded cobblestone street, just like in Trastevere!
A genuinely enthusiastic team, an open kitchen, and always fresh ingredients combine to introduce Kotor to a taste of Italy – all at an attractive price point. The delicious bruschetti arrive on wooden charcuterie boards, with toppings like salmon, avocado & eggs, and prawns. Insider tip: try the beef and plum pasta and choose Tiramisu at the end for a sweet, refreshing spectacle.