10 Best Restaurants in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

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).

Head to the hills around Žrnovo to this tiny stone konoba, rustically strung with lavender and bouquets of elderflower, and feast on whatever the Marović family has dreamed up for lunch. No matter what the dish of the day, you can be sure it'll be seasonal, local, homemade, and delicious. Call ahead to book lunch, which might include platters of grilled vegetables pulled from their garden, traditional Korčula macaroni, and homemade ice cream.

In the courtyard of an old stone cottage in the tiny village of Pupnat (34 km [21 miles] west of Korčula Town), this welcoming restaurant is worth the effort to get there, thanks to its gourmet fare prepared from the family's own farm. The menu changes seasonally, but look out for the house specialty: a platter of homemade pršut (prosciutto), goat's cheese, olives, and eggplant pâté.

The name of this eatery refers to capon, the rooster cooked in a bitter orange sauce that was a delicacy during the time of the Republic; it's just one of the classic Dubrovnik recipes that this charming local favorite has chosen to reinvent. The mission here is to take the most traditional Croatian dishes and put a modern spin on them, like their mouthwatering take on the typical brodet fish stew. With a lovely terrace at the top of the Jesuit Steps and a timeless menu, Kopun is quickly establishing itself as one of the best restaurants in town.

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.

Follow the scent of fresh basil to Aterina, a playful restaurant occupying a square on the periphery of the Old Town, with views to the palm-lined promenade and sea below. Order the "small plate" to try a sample of each of the tapas-style starters including cheese, smoked ham, anchovies, and marinated vegetables. Don't leave without trying one of the excellent desserts, such as basil cake or peaches in Grk.

For such a small village, Žrnovo is home to a surprising number of great restaurants, most located in old stone homes and run by the families who own them. Konoba Belin is one of the originals and the best, where you'll linger for a few hours over platters of grilled seafood or the local delicacy Žrnovski makaruni; call ahead to arrange a lesson on how to roll macaroni.

Located in a stone villa on the Lopud waterfront, La Villa offers an immaculate dining experience with friendly service and a great local wine list. Expect beautiful dishes made with premium ingredients such as scallops, foie gras, langoustines, and lobster tail. It's expensive but so are most of the restaurants around Lopud, so at least you know the quality here is going to be exceptional.

Head chef Marko Gajski's menu here elevates exclusively seasonal Croatian produce—think wild asparagus in spring, strawberries in the summer, truffles and root vegetables in the fall—and local seafood such as lobster, Ston oysters, and scorpion fish into fine-dining creations. With an outdoor seating area stretching along the Old Town's fortified wall and panoramic views of the Pelješac Peninsula and the archipelago, you can enjoy your meal while admiring the very terroir from which it was gathered. As Lešić Dimitri Palace did for lodging on Korčula, LD Restaurant brings a whole new level of sophistication to the island's dining scene, along with its first Michelin star.