Dubrovnik Food and Wine Scene

The delicious Dubrovnik food and wine scene is a wonderful excuse to stay in Croatia. Food tours for any self-confessed foodie or wine tours for the passionate connoisseur.

The traditional dishes of Croatia combine rich flavours and draw on a range of regions. Including the likes of Bosnian, Montenegrin and Italian cuisine.

Not only are food tours really taking off – there is a thriving winemaking culture too. In particular along the Pelješac peninsula, responsible for producing some of Croatia’s most supreme red wines.

Dubrovnik is in a stunning coastal location, so it's no surprise the Dalmation cooking is really big on fresh seafood. Fish is caught in the morning from the wonderful Adriatic waters and then served the same day in the many local restaurants.

What You Need to Know

A celebrated Dalmatian seafood dish is crni rižot, or squid ink risotto! You can enjoy a huge dish at Orhan, a gorgeous waterfront restaurant by Fort Lovrijenac. Another famous speciality is mušule na buzaru; this is fresh mussels cooked in white wine, fresh garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs.

Book a table at the pretty ‘Lokanda Peskarija’ situated along the old city walls. Customers can try mouth-watering bowls of mussels, served alongside their popular octopus salad.

As for the freshest of seafood, food tourism doesn't get much better than the oysters caught straight from the seabed of Mali Ston Bay.  The small village is located on the Pelješac peninsula, just an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik food and wine isn't just about the seafood. Kopun is an amazing Croatian dishes to be enjoyed, which is castrated cockerel served in honey and wild orange. Then there is pašticada (stewed beef in wine with gnocchi).

The famous Croatian restaurant also called Kopun, is a great place to try these particular meals. As well as their ever-popular Makaruli Sporki (dirty macaroni). This is a dish that is covered in a rich spicy meaty tomato sauce, rather like a Bolognese sauce.

Another classic Dubrovnik dish is a green stew, by the name of Zelena Menestra. This ordinary but filling dish can be traced back to the Konavle area. Consisting of meat, potatoes and cabbage. Head to the family-run restaurant called Poklisar, where they serve up a huge bowl for the authentic foodie experience.

The Dubrovnik Food and Wine Scene

On many menus in Dubrovnik restaurants, meat and cheese will feature heavily. If you would like to enjoy a platter - visit La Bodega at the end of Stradun. They boast an unrivalled truffle cheese and smoked ham plate.

Of course, olive oil is the main ingredient of the Mediterranean lifestyle, especially in the likes of Peloponnese, Greece. However, the ambling olive groves also cover the slopes of Croatia. If you wish to sample this liquid gold, head off to Uje on the Stradun, a quaint small shop that specialises in Croatian olive oil. The owners of the shop, have their own production line on the island of Brač; and will offer suggestions before you make your selected choice.

If you have a sweet tooth, then Dubrovnik is the place for you! Do try, Stonska torta which is made from makaruli (macaroni), walnuts and delicious chocolate. If you’re not visiting the Pelješac peninsula, you can always taste a sample at Gianni’s, near the Maritime Museum. It is freshly made by owner Đani van Bloemen, who was a former pastry chef at Michelin-starred 360° Restaurant.

Another wonderful sweet pudding to try is called rožata, this is a custard pudding drizzled in caramel and completely laced with a homemade rose liqueur. The best place to enjoy a gorgeous treat is Gverović Orsan, which enjoys a sea-view spot and is about seven kilometres west of the city.

Wine Tasting in Dubrovnik

When it comes to wine tasting in Dubrovnik, you can either enjoy sitting in a local bar or head off into the vineyards. The Pelješac peninsula makes some of Dubrovnik’s best red wines, by using the native Mali Plavac grape.

A popular favourite is Dingač, produced within the sea-facing vineyards near Potomje. Matuško Winery, Bartulovič in Prizdrin or Korta Katarina in Orebič are among the best places to sample this particular bottle.

D’Vino wine bar is situated in the old town, here you can choose from over 100 bottles. Regular wine tasting events are held throughout the year, or you can book a private wine tasting session in advance.

In April, the FestiWine event comes to Dubrovnik, and consists of over a hundred local winemakers offering wine tastings and food-pairings, in some of the city’s most famous restaurants.

Then in October, the Good Food Festival is another great event. Wine and foodie buffs will love the various culinary workshops and food and wine tasting pairings. There are also superior experiences to be enjoyed, such as dining with top chefs or enjoying a gastronomic city tour throughout the three-day event.

Regular food tours are available through the open-air market on Gundulićeva Poljana. Colourful stalls are all packed with seasonal goods and locally grown produce, such as strawberries, peaches, and olives.

Food and Drink Experiences with tabl.com

If you're a passionate foodie looking to enjoy the Dubrovnik food and wine scene first hand, book food tours with tabl. Where we have authentic activities and food experiences available in a wide range of foodie destinations.

The Best Food to Eat in Dubrovnik

Whether it's fresh seafood caught off nearby islands or traditional specialities from the mainland, read this article The Best Food to Eat in Dubrovnik for insights on of some of the tastiest dishes that this stunning corner of Croatia has to offer!