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Best Restaurants in Ulcinj
From casual oceanfront cafes to chic beach bars, unpretentious local eateries to up-market seafood restaurants; Ulcinj offers lots of options for the hungry visitor. Its historic center, which is perched atop a cliff, is dotted with authentic taverns, with al-fresco tables, where you can soak up the town’s Mediterranean atmosphere and enjoy breathtaking views while doing so.
Along the seaside walkway, you’ll find a few hidden gems, specializing in fresh flavors and sea views. Out of town, several well-established fish restaurants occupy the Bojana Riverbank and serve straight-to-plate seafood delicacies. From unforgettable paella marinera to traditional Montenegrin dishes, discover Ulcinj’s culinary landscape.
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a popular and family-friendly holiday resort offering a long, sandy Blue Flag beach, water sports, top-notch restaurants, and decent hotels.
Restaurant Taphana
Restaurant Taphana offers top-notch steaks and Adriatic cuisine paired with an extensive list of local and international wines. A renowned landmark in Ulcinj’s old town for more than 20 years, this eatery combines local ingredients with twists inspired by faraway lands. The breathtaking views from this height are emblematic of its strategic location, overlooking the beachfront.
The salt-infused breeze and the gentle sound of waves – there is nothing like indulging in the finest flavors while experiencing Ulcinj’s stunning scenery. Recommended by many locals, this atmospheric venue uses a wood-fired oven that achieves the ideal balance of grilling and braising, leading constantly to delicious results in the form of fork-tender fish, beef, and lamb. Expect the very best of Montenegrin dining here, where only the freshest ingredients are used.
Dulcinea
Overlooking the sheltered bay adorned with fine dark-colored sand, this restaurant forms part of the Villa Dulcinea boutique hotel, also located in the heart of the old town. An elegant eatery with courteous and quick service, and Mediterranean and Montenegrin food that is cooked to the point and beautifully presented.
While lunch may be an informal affair of meat skewers, cevapcici, and stuffed peppers, the a la carte dinner menu delivers a very refined culinary experience. Dulcinea offers a good range of wines, to a large degree from Montenegrin wineries. And while it sits in a touristy area, it also attracts locals who come here to meet friends and business partners over a drink or snack.
Fisherman Hari
If you think that seafood, wine, and sunsets are a killer combination, Fisherman Hari is your restaurant. Located right above the cliffs and fishing grounds, to which the owner sets out each morning, it offers one of the best spots for watching the sun disappear over the horizon to get you in the mood for a romantic dinner.
Open from lunchtime until midnight, its delicacies include grilled fish (sea bass, eel, and sea bream), shellfish, spaghetti a la mare, and homemade desserts. This family-run tavern is probably not the fanciest in town, but it makes more than up for it with the exceptionally warm and friendly service led by owner (and fisherman) Hari and his sons.
Antigona
As well as a charming, rustic interior, Restaurant Antigona has a glamorous al-fresco terrace on two levels and consistently good seafood cuisine. This is where you can unwind – before or after dinner – with panoramic sea views and a glass of wine or cocktail of your choice, and witness the most incredible sunsets.
Antigona presents an a la carte menu, which features a good range of Adriatic-inspired dishes; from shrimp a la buzara to octopus salad and squids in white wine sauce. It offers two special sharing menus, consisting of different fish and shellfish, either roasted ‘under the bell’ or simply grilled, served for lunch or dinner.
Barutana
An extraordinarily cozy-looking tavern, with fishing nets hanging from the ceiling and pirate flags and starfishes adorning the walls (there is also a Russian license plate for whatever reason), this charming eatery is complemented by a sweeping outdoor terrace. Named after the ‘powder kegs’ that used to be stationed here to defend Ulcinj fortress from pirates and invaders, it is sitting right in the heart of Ulcinj’s Old Town, with glorious views across the Adriatic.
Serving an explosive menu that includes plenty of juicy meat and fish specialties, Konoba Barutana is open all year – and truly mesmerizing on a sunny winter’s day – it’s the perfect refuge for carnivores and pescatarians, daydreaming about owning one of those motor and sailing boats bobbing up and down on the gentle waves in the sea. Vegetarians look elsewhere, your choices are severely limited here.
Terra Promessa
Another great alternative for catching those unbelievable sunsets, Terra Promessa, which translates to ‘the promised land out there’, is raised above the small cove beaches and cliffs of Ulcinj and has views across the Mediterranean, albeit not the picture-perfect ones of some of the neighboring restaurants, but the welcoming and serene ambiance more than compensates for it.
It’s a place for well-presented food and wine, offering a high standard of Adriatic gastronomy that comes in the form of pasta and risotto, various seafood and meat dishes, and the chef’s generous sharing menu for two. The setting is particularly romantic at night on the garden terrace, overlooking the sea and stirring all your senses.
Il Galeone
The family-run Il Galeone offers a traditional tavern vibe, with a menu of Balkan-inspired Italian cuisine and seasonal menu dishes (we came in May and the Salmon Fettucini were incredible). Montenegrin chef Besim Karamanaga has been featured on national television. and described as a ‘culinary alchemist‘.
The galleon-ship-shaped terrace provides the ideal spot for enjoying lunch or dinner, while the maritime theme continues into the interior, with adorable maritime decor: model ships, pictures of galleons, and cast fishnets. One of Ulcinj’s best restaurants, Il Galeone surprisingly does not come with the corresponding price tag, probably because it sits a bit further afield from the tourist trail.
Miskos’s
Misko’s has been a stalwart of Ulcinj’s culinary scene for over 30 years and has fed a generation of seafood aficionados. Serving up fresh and beautifully plated fish and shellfish specialties, in a beautiful setting 15 kilometers away from the town center, this restaurant should undoubtedly be on your list when visiting this region.
Housed in a wooden river cabin and overlooking the Bojana River Delta at the southernmost tip of Montenegro just three kilometers from the Albanian border, their well-crafted menu includes tapas-style antipasti such as octopus carpaccio and black risotto, seafood skewers, stuffed squids, and grilled fish by the kilogram.
Insider tip: Their fish soup, served in a metal bowl, is legendary.
Kod Pese (Pesha)
Further afield still, where the Bojana River flows into the Adriatic, an unpretentious fish tavern with tables placed right on the sand, offers an idyllic setting for a romantic evening meal and a glass of local wine. This remote refuge boasts some of Montenegro’s most beautiful coastline, looking out over the 3-kilometer-long Ada Bojana Beach of pure sand.
Set away just a couple of meters from the seafront, you can indulge in locally sourced seafood delicacies designed for sharing. Apart from dependably great food, patrons will appreciate the cordial, welcoming atmosphere and professional service from a team that is highly motivated and obviously loves their work.
Ada Bojana Beach
Sitting on a triangular-shaped island and straddling the border with Albania, Ada Bojana Beach is Montenegro’s most prominent nudist beach.
Higo
Higo has the sophisticated decor and atmosphere to complement its location on the seafront above a tranquil cove nested in a beautiful pine forest within footwalk distance from the old town. Whether you choose the delicious premium steaks (Wagyu and Kobe beef available) or traditional Adriatic cuisine, you’ll be glimpsing over a pristine coastal landscape.
Unquestionably, Higo boasts one of the most picturesque terraces (covered and heated in winter), which already played host to Montenegro’s and Albania’s presidents in previous summers. While not exactly cheap, Higo is the perfect venue for a relaxing, healthy breakfast, dinner, or sundowner: their cocktails are the best in Ulcinj and there is a good choice of cigars.
Mashtra
Visit Restaurant Mashtra between April and October and you’ll be seated on one of Montenegro’s most stunning outdoor terraces. Enjoy the unhurried atmosphere of this truly Mediterranean gourmet restaurant, located in the olive garden of a luxury boutique hotel, and just a short distance from Valdanos Beach and Ulcinj’s town center.
Mashtra offers an impressive menu of top quality and – above all – beautifully decorated dishes to enjoy, while a gentle breeze makes things all the better. Indulge in fresh fish from the Adriatic, meat lover’s favorites, and tasty pasta dishes inspired by seasonal market produce. Ulcinj is particularly known for its olives, so make sure to include them in your order.
Valdanos Beach
A former army base and then military vacation resort, Valdanos Beach has a long and interesting history. The picturesque cove is surrounded by lush olive orchards.
Lovac
No visit to Ulcinj is complete without eating at the long-established Lovac Restaurant (first customers were served in 1928), a popular tavern-style eatery that awaits patrons with fish and steak specialties, but there is also pizza and pasta on the menu. The restaurant sits in a tranquil location, only three kilometers away from the center of Ulcinj.
The kitchen team uses organic, garden produce wherever possible. They even distill their liquor from kiwis and grapes that are growing on trellises above the garden terrace. Many of the served dishes are still the same ones conceived by great-grandfather Omer Hasa almost one hundred years ago, culminating probably in the most authentic dining experience in all of Ulcinj.
La Guitarra
La Guitarra is a rustic roadside tavern that guarantees the ideal countryside retreat and offers an authentic culinary experience. The shaded terrace is spacious and is surrounded by a sweeping Mediterranean garden, with simple but comfortable furniture. A refreshing, briny breeze can come from two very special places: the Ulcinj Saltpans and the Adriatic.
Perfect for those craving generous portions of local goodies. Don’t miss the opportunity to try their iconic cheese-filled pljeskavica (a molten cheese-stuffed burger), pot-roasted carp or veal tongue, and of course, Ulcinj’s signature dish – bamije, a healthy veal stew made with okra beans and aromatic spices.
Best Hotels in Ulcinj
Discover the best hotels in Ulcinj for your next visit to this charming coastal town. From luxury boutique hotels in the old town to resorts close to the beach.
Things to do in Ulcinj
Here is our list of the best things to do in Ulcinj, from family-friendly outdoor activities and fun in the sun to exploring the town’s cultural and culinary heritage.