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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 20 March, 2024
Expert travel writer: Annabelle Thorpe

Dubrovnik is part of the coastal Dalmatia region, meaning local cuisine is dominated by fish and seafood. Classic Mediterranean flavours – tomatoes, parsley, garlic and rosemary – are often paired with fish.

Croatia’s Italian heritage is seen in pizzerias and gelaterias on every street, although there are fine dining options; Michelin-starred 360 is the city’s most famous restaurant, set in the Old Town walls.

What to try

Don’t miss fresh oysters and mussels from Ston (on Peljesac) and rozata (a pudding similar to crème caramel), which is unique to Dubrovnik. Crni rizoto – black risotto made with squid ink, and mussels bouzzara (in a tomato sauce) are also local specialities.

Dalmatian ham is as salty and delicious as prosciutto; platters of ham, local cheese and olives is a popular starter. Fritule (deep-fried fritters) are a favourite sweet snack, sharp with lemon zest and schnappes. Also see our round-up of traditional Croatian foods to try.

The surrounding hills and islands are home to some excellent vineyards, and the Peljesac wine region is a one-hour drive. The best whites are Posip from Korcula and Vugava from Vis, while the best reds are Plavac from Hvar and Vis. Also try locally produced rakija (a potent spirit, often flavoured with fruit or herbs).

The dining scene

Traditional hearty Dalmatian dishes are served in atmospheric, family-run konobas – rustic taverns with exposed stone walls and wooden tables and benches.

Many konobas offer peka, a traditional dish – or rather cooking style – dating back millenia. The peka, a heavy domed cast-iron lid, is placed over a tray of food and then buried beneath glowing embers, to create a mini-oven.

At many konobas, you’ll see the outdoor kitchen, with the chef hard at work, arranging casserole dishes and peka lids over a wide hearth and smouldering wood (temperatures here can reach 70C). Dishes feature either octopus, monkfish, lamb, veal or vegetarian peka, using homegrown vegetables.

Recommendations

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Oysters at Mali Ston

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia

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Bucket List Experience
Fresh oyster in plate of bread and lemon on the Raft at Mali Ston

A traditional Dalmatian village, famous across Croatia for oysters served in restaurants overlooking a sheltered bay. A scenic drive north of Dubrovnik.

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4

Peljesac Wine Region

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia

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Bucket List Experience
Vineyards on mountain slope into coast

Sample some of Croatia’s finest red wines at the vineyards on this mountainous peninsula. A one-hour drive up the coast from Dubrovnik.

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4

Vinoteka Milicic

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia

Glass of white wine on a street bar table

This small wine shop in the heart of the Old Town sells wines straight from the Peljesac peninsula, plus Croatian deli items including fruit spirits, preserves and sweets.

Min age 18

Best for ages 18+

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Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

Dubrovnik is a big cruise port which means there are a lot of restaurants catering to the day-trip crowd; in general avoid anywhere on the Stradun (the wide main drag). Generally, the further you go into the tangle of streets that rise up on either side of the Stradun, the better you will eat.

The restaurants that line the harbour are renowned for their fish and seafood but you will pay a premium. Outside the old town there are plenty of pizzerias offering excellent Italian food.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Dubrovnik Food and Drink Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Food and Drink Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Dubrovnik Food and Drink Walking Tour provides an authentic culinary experience combined with the rich history and culture of this UNESCO-listed city. Enjoy local specialties at traditional eateries, and explore vibrant markets teeming with fresh local produce. Our expert guides, local insiders passionate about their culinary heritage, will share fascinating stories behind each dish. From exquisite cheeses to robust wines, seafood to sweet treats, your palate is set for an adventure. Winding through cobblestone streets and picturesque squares, Dubrovnik's beauty complements this journey while you'll be listening more of its great history. Our small group sizes ensure a personalized, intimate experience. This tour is a feast for all senses.

Price: €128

Min age: 2

Rating 4.94 / 5 [404 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Old Town Food Tour

Dubrovnik

Old Town Food Tour
Our original tour delivers a perfect mix of delicious food, culture, history & local life experiences. Join us on walking Old Town Food Tour as we explore the hidden gems and narrow streets in search of our favorite food places. Our 3 to 4-hour tour offers several authentic tastings at a diversity of places. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty lunch/dinner for most, are served from locally owned eateries and historic locations. Our tour consists of small talks, making future friendships where we treat all our guests equally. If you have any questions about this tour, please feel free to reach out before booking. We want to make sure this tour meets your expectations.

Price: €135

Min age: 0

Rating 4.79 / 5 [274 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Brewery Tour with Food included

Dubrovnik

Brewery Tour with Food included
Forget amusement parks and roller coasters. Join us on the only brewery tour in Dubrovnik and gain an inside look in what it takes to create craft beer magic! Our long tour will show you our humble, but beautiful brewery. Your guide will tell you all about our production process and what it takes to create one of the most beloved beverage of modern times - great quality craft beer. Of course, no brewery tour would be complete without some drinki... tasting. Accompanied by a lovely selection of food, barley seeds... enjoy sampling all of our 4 beers right from the source in our factory-styled tap room. We prepared some food to help your beer travel better. Relax and enjoy our experience, we got you covered

Price: €55

Min age: 18

Rating 4.87 / 5 [41 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Dubrovnik by night history, wine&bites

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik by night history, wine&bites
If you like to explore when the sun sets and the city comes to life at night-time, this is perfect experience for you! It is easy walking tour. I will take you through the city main atractions and tell you about the history of the city. I will show you places where you can visit theater plays, concerts, dances at Dubrovnik summer festival during july and august, and give you my recommendations what you can do, where you can eat and enjoy like a local while you are in Dubrovnik. At the end of our tour we will go to the one of the best places in the Old Town to have tapas and glass of wine. I would like to show You all beauty of Dubrovnik on my way-combining orientation guided tour through the Old Town ending with tapas&wine. We will go through the city main atractions far away from the daily noise and crowd finishing our tour in the wine bar where smoked ham, olives, cheese, bread and great wine from Pelješac region will wait us! :-)

Price: €65

Min age: 18

Rating 5 / 5 [18 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Drinks & Bites in Dubrovnik Private Tour

Dubrovnik

Drinks & Bites in Dubrovnik Private Tour
Get the perfect nightlife introduction to Dubrovnik with a tour that combines food, drinks, and highlights in the area with a local that knows best. Your local guide and nightlife expert will take you to the old town, known for its vibrant nightlife in Dubrovnik. Visit some of the best spots in town for a local drink and a typical local bite. The drinks vary from alcoholic drinks to non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks with vegetarian alternatives - covering every taste! As you hop from hot spot to hot spot, your guide will also point out interesting places in the area, helping you discover more about Dubrovnik. Withlocals Drinks & Bites Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €169

Min age: 18

Rating 4.81 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Dubrovnik

Dalmatia, Croatia

Dubrovnik

Dazzling Dubrovnik offers UNESCO-listed heritage set against the pure blue backdrop of the Adriatic.