Restaurant Marco Polo Dubrovnik
A family-run Old Town restaurant where rustic Dalmatian recipes, Croatian wines and modern touches come together in a traditional Dubrovnik courtyard.
Location
Lučarica 6
Dubrovnik Old Town
Best for
Old Town lunch
Croatian wine
Seafood
Intimate dining
What we ordered
Octopus carpaccio
Precious Blue Tuna Steak
Pistachio cheesecake
Style
Dalmatian food with modern touches
Traditional courtyard setting
Restaurant Marco Polo sits in the heart of Dubrovnik Old Town, on Lučarica, with a courtyard setting that brings a calmer pace to lunch in the middle of the busy city.
The restaurant’s identity is built around Dalmatian recipes, Croatian wines and modern touches, with a menu that keeps one foot in local tradition and the other in a more contemporary Dubrovnik dining style.
The setting
Marco Polo is tucked into Dubrovnik Old Town, with the feeling of a courtyard restaurant rather than a large, exposed dining room. That matters in Dubrovnik, especially in summer, when the streets can feel busy from late morning into the evening.
The setting gives the restaurant its main appeal: central enough to feel part of the Old Town, but sheltered enough to slow the meal down.
The food
Marco Polo’s menu is built around rustic Dalmatian recipes, fresh ingredients and modern interpretation. The cooking stays connected to the region, but the presentation and combinations feel more considered than a simple Old Town lunch.
We started with the octopus carpaccio, a fresh and light opening dish with Dalmatian octopus, tomato and seasoning. It felt coastal without being heavy, which made it a strong first course for a summer lunch.
The main course was the Precious Blue Tuna Steak, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Marco Polo connects the dish to lapis lazuli and the deep blue of the Adriatic, with Croatian tuna served in a sesame crust. Ours came with zucchini spaghetti and tomato salsa, and it was the highlight of the meal: clean, generous and very much tied to the coast.
For dessert, the pistachio cheesecake with raspberry gel and pistachio crumble gave the lunch a softer finish without making the meal feel too heavy.
Croatian wine
Wine is a clear part of Marco Polo’s identity. The list focuses on Croatian bottles from regions such as Slavonia, Istria, Pelješac, Korčula and Dalmatia, with both continental and coastal styles represented.
That local focus gives the restaurant a stronger sense of place. It is not just about eating in the Old Town, but about understanding Croatian food and wine together.
Service
Service was warm and attentive throughout lunch. The pacing felt relaxed, and the meal had the kind of personal feeling that suits a family-run restaurant rather than a larger tourist dining room.
Best for
Marco Polo works well for travelers looking for a proper Old Town lunch, Croatian wine, Adriatic seafood and a setting that feels central without being overwhelming.
It also makes sense for dinner if you want a smaller Dubrovnik restaurant with local food, wine and a courtyard atmosphere.
Final note
Marco Polo was our first proper lunch in Dubrovnik, and it set the tone in a simple way: Croatian food, Adriatic seafood, local wine and an Old Town setting calm enough to enjoy.
If I were planning another lunch in Dubrovnik Old Town, this is the kind of place I would keep on the list.
Plan Your Visit
Restaurant Marco Polo
Lučarica 6
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Reservations
info@marcopolo-dubrovnik.com
+385 20 323 719
+385 99 801 4566
Good to know
The restaurant has 36 seats, so booking ahead is a good idea, especially for dinner. The restaurant notes that 8pm is the most popular dinner time, so eating earlier or later may help avoid the busiest period.
