Dubrovnik Dining Guide
A first-hand guide to restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town, Lapad Bay and nearby Cavtat, with recommendations for seafood, Croatian wine, waterfront dining and quieter meals away from the busiest streets.
I visited Dubrovnik with my partner in June 2026, and every restaurant included in this guide is somewhere we personally ate.
The Old Town has the greatest concentration of restaurants, but some of our most enjoyable meals were beyond the city walls, including a meal above Dubrovnik on Mount Srđ, dinner above Lapad Bay and an evening beside the harbour in Cavtat.
The restaurants below are not ranked. Each suits a different occasion, from a quiet courtyard lunch to a traditional seafood dinner, a livelier evening in the Old Town or a table beside the water at sunset.
Dubrovnik Restaurants at a Glance
For a quieter Old Town lunch: Restaurant Marco Polo
For traditional seafood: Fish Restaurant Proto
For a livelier evening: Restaurant Arka
For panoramic views over Dubrovnik: Panorama Restaurant & Bar
For views over Lapad Bay: Restaurant More
For a waterfront dinner outside Dubrovnik: Restaurant La Bohème in Cavtat
Restaurant Marco Polo Dubrovnik
A quieter courtyard restaurant in the Old Town
Restaurant Marco Polo is one of the restaurants I would choose for lunch inside Dubrovnik Old Town.
The family-run restaurant is located on Lučarica, close to the centre of the city, but its small courtyard feels calmer than many of the more exposed terraces along the busiest streets.
This makes it particularly suitable during the day, when the Old Town can become crowded and warm.
The menu combines Dalmatian ingredients and Croatian cooking with a more contemporary style of presentation. We started with the octopus carpaccio, followed by the Precious Blue Tuna Steak, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
The Croatian tuna was served in a sesame crust with courgette spaghetti and tomato salsa. It was the strongest dish of our meal, with a generous portion and a clean balance of flavours.
For dessert, we ordered the pistachio cheesecake with raspberry gel and pistachio crumble.
Croatian wine is an important part of the experience. The list includes wines from Dalmatia, Pelješac, Korčula, Istria and Slavonia, making Marco Polo a good place to explore regional wine alongside the food.
Best for: A quieter Old Town lunch, Croatian wine and seafood
What we ordered:
Octopus carpaccio
Precious Blue Tuna Steak
Pistachio cheesecake
Good to know: Marco Polo has 36 seats, so booking ahead is advisable. The restaurant notes that 8pm is its most requested dinner time.
Fish Restaurant Proto Dubrovnik
Traditional seafood in the Old Town
Fish Restaurant Proto is one of Dubrovnik’s more established seafood restaurants.
The restaurant has been part of the city since 1886 and is known for Adriatic fish, shellfish, seasonal produce and Mediterranean cooking. It is located on Široka in the Old Town and has a roof terrace above the street.
Proto feels more traditional and formal than the other Old Town restaurants in this guide, making it a good choice for a longer dinner or a special evening.
The menu depends partly on the daily catch, with dishes centred on fish, oysters, octopus, lobster and shellfish.
We began with Dalmatian prosciutto and mini burrata. For the main course, our waiter recommended the octopus ragù with creamy polenta, served with Swiss chard potatoes.
It was a richer and more comforting dish than a simple plate of grilled fish. The octopus had plenty of flavour, while the polenta gave the dish a generous texture.
We finished with carrot cake and chocolate mousse.
The service was professional and well paced, with useful explanations about the menu without making the experience feel overly formal.
Proto is the restaurant I would choose for a classic Dubrovnik seafood dinner with a stronger sense of history and tradition.
Best for: Adriatic seafood, fresh fish and a more traditional Old Town dinner
What we ordered:
Dalmatian prosciutto with mini burrata
Octopus ragù with creamy polenta
Swiss chard potatoes
Carrot cake
Chocolate mousse
Good to know: Some dishes depend on the daily catch. Ask the team what is particularly good that day rather than deciding entirely in advance.
Plan Your Visit
Fish Restaurant Proto
Široka 1
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Reservations:
sales2@esculap-teo.hr
+385 20 323 234
Official Website · View on Google Maps
Proto states that same-day reservations should be made by telephone and that online bookings are confirmed only after written confirmation.
Restaurant Arka Dubrovnik
A fun dinner near the Jesuit Stairs
Restaurant Arka has a more energetic atmosphere than Marco Polo or Proto.
It is located directly beneath the Jesuit Stairs, one of the most recognisable locations in Dubrovnik Old Town. In the evening, the surrounding streets become busy with people moving between the stairs, Gundulić Square and the nearby restaurants.
Arka suits travellers who want to be part of that atmosphere rather than completely removed from it.
The restaurant describes its style as “fun dining”. The food and service are taken seriously, but the experience remains relaxed. The menu combines Adriatic seafood, Mediterranean cooking, Balkan influences and more international dishes.
We started with tuna tartare, prepared with Adriatic tuna, wasabi cream, caper buds and citrus.
The miso black cod was the highlight of our dinner. The fish was soft and buttery, with a balanced combination of sweetness, salt and umami.
My partner ordered the Angus beef burger, which reflects the broader approach of the menu. Arka does not require every guest to choose seafood simply because they are dining on the Croatian coast.
We finished with lemon meringue tart and drank Bire GRK, a Croatian white wine from Korčula.
Arka is a good choice when you want dinner inside the walls to feel polished but not formal.
Best for: A lively Old Town dinner, contemporary Mediterranean food and Croatian wine
What we ordered:
Tuna tartare
Miso black cod
Angus beef burger
Lemon meringue tart
Bire GRK Croatian white wine
Good to know: The area around the Jesuit Stairs receives considerable pedestrian traffic in the evening. Choose Arka for atmosphere and energy rather than complete privacy.
Plan Your Visit
Restaurant Arka
Uz Jezuite 8
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Reservations:
info@arka.hr
+385 91 6102 292
Official Website · View on Google Maps
Arka advises making online reservations at least a couple of hours in advance and calling directly for last-minute tables.
Restaurants Beyond Dubrovnik Old Town
The Old Town should be part of any Dubrovnik dining itinerary, but I would not plan every meal inside the city walls.
Mount Srđ offers panoramic views above the city, Lapad has sea-facing terraces and a calmer coastal setting, while Cavtat is a good choice for an evening away from central Dubrovnik.
Including one or two meals beyond the Old Town gives the trip more variety and allows you to experience different parts of Dubrovnik and the surrounding coast.
Panorama Restaurant & Bar
Dining above Dubrovnik on Mount Srđ
Panorama Restaurant & Bar is located beside the upper cable-car station on Mount Srđ, with open views across Dubrovnik, the Adriatic, Lokrum and the surrounding islands.
We ate here during our June 2026 trip. The main reason to reserve is the setting, which allows you to combine the cable-car journey with a meal above the city.
The terrace gives you a completely different perspective on Dubrovnik from the restaurants inside the Old Town. It is particularly suitable when you are already planning to visit Mount Srđ and want to spend more time enjoying the view rather than returning immediately after the cable-car journey.
I would reserve an outdoor table and plan the timing carefully. Sunset is likely to be the most requested period, but a daytime visit can offer clearer views across the coastline.
Best for: Panoramic views, Mount Srđ, combining a meal with the cable car and a memorable setting above Dubrovnik
Good to know: Reserve ahead and request an outdoor table. Cable-car operations can be affected by weather, so check the current timetable before travelling.
Plan Your Visit
Panorama Restaurant & Bar
Upper cable-car station, Mount Srđ
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Reservations:
sales@nautikarestaurants.com
+385 20 312 664
Official Website · View on Google Maps · Dubrovnik Cable Car
Restaurant More Dubrovnik
Dinner above Lapad Bay
Restaurant More is located at Hotel More, above Lapad Bay, with a terrace overlooking the coastline and the Adriatic.
The view is the main reason to reserve a table. It works particularly well around sunset, when the light changes across the bay.
We ordered the Dalmatian burrata, followed by green tagliatelle with salmon and asparagus. We accompanied the meal with the house white wine.
The food and setting made Restaurant More a quieter alternative to another evening inside the Old Town.
It is also a practical choice when staying in Lapad or Babin Kuk. You can spend the day swimming or exploring the peninsula and remain close to the water for dinner.
I would reserve a table shortly before sunset rather than arriving after dark, as the view is an important part of the experience.
Best for: Lapad Bay views, Mediterranean food and dinner at sunset
What we ordered:
Dalmatian burrata
Green tagliatelle with salmon and asparagus
House white wine
Good to know: Restaurant More is particularly convenient for guests staying in Lapad or Babin Kuk. Those based in the Old Town should allow time for a taxi or local bus.
Plan Your Visit
Restaurant More
Hotel More
Kardinala Stepinca 33
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Reservations:
more@hotel-more.hr
+385 20 494 200
Official Website · View on Google Maps
Restaurant La Bohème Cavtat
Waterfront dining in Cavtat
Restaurant La Bohème is located on the waterfront in Cavtat, approximately 15 kilometres south of Dubrovnik and close to the airport.
I would combine dinner here with a proper visit to Cavtat rather than travelling only for the meal. Arrive in time to walk beside the harbour, explore the waterfront and stay for sunset.
The restaurant’s terrace faces the water, with boats and yachts directly in front. After several meals among the stone streets of Dubrovnik, the open harbour gave the evening a noticeably different atmosphere.
We started with burrata and black risotto with cuttlefish. The risotto was rich and closely connected to the seafood traditions of the Adriatic.
For the main course, we shared the La Bohème Selection, which included seabass, tuna steak, prawns and vegetables. My partner also ordered the beef burger with fries.
We finished with chocolate soufflé.
Our waiter recommended a local white wine with a fruitier profile and a connection to the wider Cavtat and Konavle region.
Service was warm throughout the evening. Mario, the owner, was present and spent time speaking with guests while helping the team, which gave the restaurant a more personal feeling.
La Bohème was one of our most enjoyable dinners during the trip. The setting, food and service worked well together without relying only on the waterfront location.
Best for: A waterfront dinner, seafood, sunset and a quieter evening outside Dubrovnik
What we ordered:
Burrata
Black risotto with cuttlefish
La Bohème Selection
Beef burger with fries
Chocolate soufflé
Local white wine
Good to know: Check the current boat, bus or taxi options before travelling to Cavtat, particularly if you plan to return to Dubrovnik later in the evening.
Plan Your Visit
Restaurant La Bohème Cavtat
Obala Dr. Ante Starčevića 17
20210 Cavtat, Croatia
Reservations:
laboheme.cavtat@gmail.com
+385 99 520 6151
Official Website · View on Google Maps
Which Dubrovnik Restaurant Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on the type of meal you are planning.
For a quieter lunch in the Old Town
Choose Restaurant Marco Polo.
The courtyard is more sheltered than many of the busier terraces, while the menu and Croatian wine list give the meal a clear regional focus.
For a traditional seafood dinner
Choose Fish Restaurant Proto.
Its history, service and focus on Adriatic ingredients make it the most traditional restaurant in this guide.
For a livelier evening
Choose Restaurant Arka.
The location near the Jesuit Stairs and the broader menu create a more social and relaxed dinner.
For panoramic views over Dubrovnik
Choose Panorama Restaurant & Bar.
It is the best choice when you want to combine lunch or dinner with the cable-car journey to Mount Srđ. Reserve an outdoor table, as the view is the main reason to visit.
For sunset near the water
Choose Restaurant More.
It is especially suitable when staying in Lapad or Babin Kuk and wanting to avoid another journey into the Old Town.
For dinner outside Dubrovnik
Choose Restaurant La Bohème.
Cavtat is worth visiting in its own right, and La Bohème gives you a good reason to remain beside the harbour into the evening.
A Three-Day Dubrovnik Dining Plan
Dalmatian prosciutto with burrata, cherry tomatoes, olives and artichoke at Fish Restaurant Proto.
Day One: Old Town Lunch and Dinner
Have lunch at Restaurant Marco Polo. Its courtyard works well for a relaxed first meal in the Old Town.
Return in the evening for dinner at Arka, when the area around the Jesuit Stairs becomes livelier.
Day Two: Mount Srđ and Lapad Bay
Take the cable car to Mount Srđ and have lunch at Panorama Restaurant & Bar, allowing enough time to enjoy the view above Dubrovnik.
Spend the afternoon swimming or exploring Lapad before dinner at Restaurant More. Reserve a table before sunset to enjoy the changing light across the bay.
Day Three: Proto or Cavtat
Choose Proto for a traditional seafood dinner inside the Old Town.
Alternatively, spend the late afternoon and evening in Cavtat before dining at La Bohème beside the harbour.
For a longer stay, I would include both.
What to Know Before Booking Restaurants in Dubrovnik
Reserve important meals in advance
Dubrovnik becomes very busy during the summer, and restaurants with smaller dining rooms or popular outdoor tables can fill quickly.
Book the meals that matter most before travelling, particularly if you want a specific time or table.
Think about the setting
A sheltered courtyard may work better at lunch, while sea-facing terraces and central Old Town locations become more atmospheric in the evening.
Choose the restaurant according to both the menu and the time of day.
Do not eat every meal inside the Old Town
The Old Town has the widest choice, but dining only within the walls can make the experience repetitive.
One dinner in Lapad or Cavtat adds more variety to the trip.
Plan transport before dinner
Panorama Restaurant & Bar is best combined with the cable-car journey to Mount Srđ, Restaurant More is outside the historic centre, and La Bohème requires travelling to Cavtat.
Check cable-car schedules and transport options before the meal rather than trying to arrange everything afterwards.
Ask about the daily catch
At seafood restaurants such as Proto, availability can change from one day to another.
Asking what is fresh or particularly good that day may lead to a better meal than choosing everything in advance.
Final Thoughts
Dubrovnik’s dining scene extends well beyond the restaurants inside the Old Town. Some of our most enjoyable meals came from combining the food with the setting, whether that meant a quiet courtyard, a terrace above the city, sunset over Lapad Bay or an evening beside the harbour in Cavtat.
For a first visit, I would prioritise Marco Polo for lunch, Proto for a traditional seafood dinner and Panorama for the views from Mount Srđ. Restaurant More and La Bohème are both worth adding when you want to spend an evening away from the busiest streets, while Arka is a good choice for a fun dinner in the centre of the Old Town next to the stairs.
Every restaurant in this guide is somewhere I personally visited, and each recommendation is based on the food, service, atmosphere and overall experience.
