Try Traditional Montenegrin Food at these 5 Best Restaurants in Kotor

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The town which gave its name to the majestic Bay of Kotor, a visit to Kotor is a must on any Montenegro itinerary, not least because of the amazing traditional Montenegrian food you can enjoy. The town of Kotor is beautifully hemmed in by Kotor Bay and the dramatic mountains surrounding the area, which is why eating at the best restaurants in Kotor is often more than just the food.

Aside from the views, Kotor boasts one of the finest old towns in Montenegro, if not the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kotor’s old town is a medieval maze surrounded by perfectly preserved walls. Add in museums aplenty, blink-and-miss-them boutique shops selling local handmade goods and Kotor really needs to be on your travel bucket list.

Sandwiched in between those boutiques, spreading out on to wide-open squares and dotted all around the old town walls, Kotor’s other big draw is its food scene. You could be forgiven for knowing little about Montenegrin cuisine given that there are few places to enjoy it outside the country. That’s even more reason to make the most of Montenegrin food while you can.

What is traditional Montenegrin food?

Montenegro may be one of the world’s newest countries, having declared independence from Serbia in 2006, but its history is a rich one. So to is traditional Montenegrin cuisine. The food in Montenegro draws inspiration from the countries and powers who have occupied what is now Montenegro, which means influences come from as far away as Türkiye and the Levant.

Kotor now has a good selection of restaurants representing cuisines from far and wide, though the best restaurants in Kotor are the spots serving traditional Montenegrin food. No matter which you go to, there are some staples which will always be on the menu.

Montenegrin breads

One of the mainstays of national Montenegrin cuisine, Montenegro’s traditional breads draw inspiration from its time under Venetian control. Similar to an Italian pane casareccio, bread comes with pretty much every meal in Montenegro (to be clear, that’s not a complaint.

Psenicni, a traditional wheat bread, is the most common. Other popular varieties include jecmeni (made from barley) and razani (rye bread). The fun doesn’t stop there, though: there’s plenty of other breads to try while you’re in Montenegro.

Corba & Kasa

A hearty and delicious stew-like soup, corba comes in all shapes and sizes. Favorites include the rather unusual corba od koprive, which is made from nettles and sometimes served with cheese. If you ask me, cobanska krem supa is the one to go for. It’s a flavorsome blend of cream, root vegetables and mushrooms and something I could eat every day.

If you prefer a slightly thicker stew, try kasa sa pecurkama which translates to mushroom porridge. I don’t know how that is the name because it’s nothing like the porridge you might have for breakfast, but rather closer to a thick barley-based stew.

Meat and fish

Typically, Montenegrin cuisine is meat heavy, but don’t panic if you don’t eat meat. Just as in the rest of the world, Montenegro has improved leaps and bounds in catering for vegetarian and vegan foodies. You can still enjoy delicious meals from the best restaurants in Kotor if you don’t eat meat.

Montenegro has a long shepherding heritage, so it comes as no surprise that lamb is extremely popular. Simple yet mouth-wateringly delicious, kuvani brav is lamb boiled in milk. A classic one-pot meal, this is the kind of dish you’d be served if you visited a traditional Montenegrin household.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, corbast pasulj is a beautiful bean stew served with smoked ribs, salami and sausages. Grasak, a little like Hungarian goulash is a beef stew with peas and one of my go-to dishes at the best restaurants in Kotor.

You’d think, sitting on the glistening waters of the Adriatic, that fish would feature heavily on the menu. It does, but interestingly, freshwater fish is far more popular than saltwater fish. This is thanks to Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe, which sits on the border with Albania.

One of the most popular fish dishes, carp (krap) is served freshly grilled in many of the best restaurants in Kotor. Trout is popular too, known as pastrava whilst bleak, called ukljeva is also widely available.

Vegetarian dishes

Drawing from the Levant, dolma are a staple of Montenegrin cuisine. Punjene paprike, vine leaves stuffed with bell peppers, are the most widely available in the best restaurants in Kotor. Corbast pasulj, a rich bean stew is another favorite. Traditionally, it’s served with ribs or smoked sausage, but it’s increasingly available without meat.

Other popular meat-free meals in the best restaurants in Kotor include a light green bean stew known as maune which is absolutely delicious. Pastrovski makaruli, a homemade macaroni served with cheese and tossed in olive oil, is my go-to for a simple and filling meal in Kotor.

The Best Restaurants in Kotor

Konoba Akustik

I think we all have restaurants that instantly leave a lasting impression on us. Mine just so happens to be one of the best restaurants in Kotor. Konoba Akustik has great food, but really stands out for its location. Just outside the old town walls, Konoba Akustik sits overlooking the Bay of Kotor and River Scruda.

Come nightfall, this is the perfect spot to gaze at the walls which are lit brightly every night. Whether you’re traveling solo, with the family or on a romantic getaway, Konoba Akustik will hit the spot.

As much as the views will have you hooked instantly, we should probably mention their food, too. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is a great place to sample authentic Montenegrin cuisine. Breakfast highlights, served right up until 1 pm, include grilled sandwiches, eggs and a traditional “Montenegro breakfast.”

The lunch and dinner menu features all the staples from corba to succulent steaks and locally sourced fish. If you prefer something a little more international, their kebabs are excellent and the pizza and pasta never disappoints.

The Square Pub

The next contender on our rundown of the best restaurants in Kotor is a bit of a curveball. I always think going to a restaurant claiming to be a pub when not in the United Kingdom or Ireland is a bad choice. The Square Pub in Kotor proves me wrong.

The beer is great, the location fantastic and their terrace is a fine spot to pass a warm afternoon. Their menu raises the bar for pub-grub (which, coming from an Englishman, counts for something). Aside from spaghetti in a wine glass, highlights include delicious local seafood, cevapi and fresh, colorful salads.

Galion

If you’re searching for a truly memorable meal for a special occasion – and traveling to a new city always counts as one of those – Galion is the place to go. Long regarded as one of the best restaurants in Kotor, Galion has a prime bayfront location.

Their menu takes Montenegrin food to a whole new level. Expect delicacies including tuna ceviche, grilled octopus and beetroot gravalax. They have a divine wine pairing available to elevate every dish brought to your table.

Galion is not only one of the best restaurants in Kotor, but one of the most popular too. Make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment.

Pescaria Dekaderon

The clue is in the name: if you love fresh fish, this is the best restaurant in Kotor for you. Set in the heart of the old town, Pescaria Dekaderon has stunning views of the Cathedral of St. Tryphon.

Fish is, of course, the highlight. The catch of the day is priced by weight and you can have as much or as little as you like with a side of potatoes and fresh vegetables. Octopus, calamari, tuna and mussels are always on the menu, and their shrimp curry is a must-try dish.

If you or someone you’re traveling with isn’t a fan of fish, don’t worry. Pescaria Dekaderon has plenty of other choices. Steak, chicken, pizza and pasta are available and they’re all delicious.

Konoba Trpeza

The last on our list of the best restaurants in Kotor, but by no means least is Konoba Trpeza, the top choice for a traditional Montenegrin meal. With several awards in their trophy cabinet, the Konoba is one of Kotor old town’s best-loved secrets. Tucked away at the furthest point from the main gates, you could quite easily spend a week in Kotor without noticing it.

Their menu comprises all the classics, with local seafood being a staple, along with dishes from around the Mediterranean. Their octopus salad is an all-time favorite and the fish of the day is always divine. They have some excellent wine pairings, too, many from Montenegrin vineyards.

Need more inspiration? Take a food tour of Kotor

We think all the restaurants on our list of the best restaurants in Kotor are fantastic, but there’s always room to add more. Once you’ve enjoyed our favorite spots, head out on a tasting tour to discover some of Kotor’s best-kept foodie secrets. Kotor is essential on any good Montenegro itinerary, so you’ll want to make sure you explore all sides of it.

Another great option, especially if you want to combine food with a spot of sightseeing, is to take a tour to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, with a traditional lunch included. For a truly authentic experience, visit a family smokehouse on a private tour to the stunning Lovcen National Park.

In many ways, Kotor has it all, which is why we think it’s an ideal place to base yourself in Montenegro.

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