11 Best Restaurants in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

One of the perennial top choices in Dubrovnik, Azur has a fun fresh vibe and an outstanding menu of Asian-inspired dishes that burst with flavor; favorites include pork belly tacos and Szechuan chili-garlic prawns. With its two shady terraces high up in the Old Town, just beneath the city walls, Azur provides a welcome retreat from the heat and crowds. Azur has a hip soundtrack, friendly staff, and dishes that you won't find elsewhere in Dubrovnik; you'll be happy you found it.

One of the brightest culinary stars in the region, Bugenvila is vibrant in every sense, from the flowers climbing the sides of the terrace to the happy patrons tucking into fresh meals that burst with flavor. The menu changes regularly but you can expect surprising and delightful dishes made with fine local ingredients: think green apple dumplings, raw king scallop in strawberry consommé, or lobster bisque paired with grilled wild boar cheeks and parsnip purée. It's hard to imagine a better value than the excellent three-course lunch menu (€29) or the seven-course dinner menu (€125).

The village of Lumbarda is known for two things: beaches and Grk wine, and you can enjoy them both at this beachside konoba. You’ll tuck into uber-fresh octopus and other catches of the day right beside the beach while sipping Grk made by the charming local brothers who own the restaurant. Great for a lazy lunch or a romantic dinner, this is one of the best and most reliable spots on Korčula.

A little off the beaten track in Lapad but worth the trek, this bistro is a love letter to the gastronomy of Dubrovnik; even the name means "fork" in the local dialect. The menu changes weekly but there are a few mainstays like sea bream, foie gras, and super tender ox cheek, all accompanied by fresh local produce from nearby farms. With quirky artwork adorning the walls, stacks of cookbooks on the shelves (including a couple by the owner, a successful food writer), and a super welcoming atmosphere, Pantarul is the kind of restaurant where you linger for a few hours, eat a great meal, and leave with a few new friends.

With its location right on the city walls and romantic views over the Old Port, not to mention the extraordinary five-course tasting menu from Dubrovnik-born-and-bred chef Marijo Curić, Michelin-starred Restaurant 360 offers an unparalleled fine dining experience. The exquisite tasting menu is a culinary adventure that will surprise and delight you with its sophistication and simplicity in equal measures; settle in for a few hours to savor the view and enjoy the ride.

Occupying a 14th-century salt warehouse, Bota Šare (owned by the Šare family of fishermen who own some of the best seafood restaurants from Dubrovnik to Zagreb) is known for its menu of outstanding locally caught seafood. Order the fish platter for two to try a selection of the best catch of the day, and ask about boarding a boat to try oysters right from the channel where they are caught.

Using the best local bluefin tuna, shrimp, and shellfish, Bota Šare turns its fresh catches into beautifully presented sushi, sashimi, carpaccio, and tartare. The spot is owned by the Šare family of fishermen who operate some of the best seafood restaurants in the region, including Mali Ston, making this the ideal place to try the famous Mali Ston oysters (if raw oysters make you squeamish, try them tempura-style). The restaurant is located in a shady alcove near the Cathedral in the Old Town; it's small, so reservations are recommended.

If you have to wait to board the ferry from Orebić to Korčula, you'll be relieved to find Croccantino just around the corner from the port. This fun, colorful little café right along the waterfront promenade serves exquisite homemade gelato, artisan cakes and cupcakes, and excellent smoothies, coffee, and milkshakes.

Overlooking the morning market and pigeons of Gundulić Square, Kamenice is a local institution popular for the fresh oysters for which it is named, plus generous platters of girice (small fried fish) and pržene lignje (fried squid). It's cheap and cheerful, offers unbeatable value for the location, and is much-loved by locals and tourists alike.

Known throughout Croatia, this long-standing favorite helmed by chef Lidija Kralj has been synonymous with Ston and fresh oysters for more than 45 years. Located in an old stone home on the Mali Ston waterfront and slightly more upscale than other nearby restaurants, people come from far and wide to feast on the shellfish here, as well as the plentiful black risotto and unusual stonski makaruli, a cake made from pasta, nuts, sugar, and cinnamon, unique to Ston.

Occupying the beautifully restored 19th-century Nautical Academy building just outside the Pile Gate, Nautika has a solid reputation as Dubrovnik's finest restaurant. With an unrivaled view over Fort Lovrijenac from its two terraces, plus an exceptional seasonal menu showcasing the best local ingredients (particularly dishes featuring lobster from Vis or Adriatic shrimp), it's a reliable choice for a formal meal. Choose between the à la carte menu or the chef's tasting menu (seven courses for €164).