6 Best Restaurants in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Located on the breezy seaside terrace at PineTree Boutique Apartments (and run by the same family), the food at Ante's Place is so good you'll likely eat all of your meals there while on Mljet. It's the best place to try traditional Dalmatian dishes, from lamb or octopus cooked peka-style to plentiful seafood platters and divine lobster spaghetti. The humble hosts will tell you that the food they cook is just the typical stuff they eat at home; if they really eat this well at home every night, you'll consider moving in.

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.

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.

The epitome of a hidden gem, there is no menu or prices at Estravaganca, just a chalkboard with the catch of the day and the owner who will rush out to grab your boat ropes, show you to your table, bring out the fish for you to choose from, then light the fire and grill it right in front of you. Most days there are mussels and oysters kept in the sea and pulled out just minutes before they're put on your plate; same goes for the crab and lobster, which is then cooked in a spicy buzara sauce with homemade pasta. You can get there by car, but the best way to arrive is by boat.

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.

This smart restaurant has offered fine dining on Lopud's seafront promenade since 1939, with idyllic sunset views across the bay and wonderfully formal waiters. The house specialty is školjke na buzaru (mixed shellfish cooked in wine and garlic), and they also do a superb prawn and truffle risotto.