Where to eat in Kotor: what to order and where
Kotor eats from the bay and the mountain behind it: grilled fish, fish soup, black risotto, and smoked ham and cheese from Njeguši. The old town has the setting and the highest prices, and the waterfront villages have more room and better value. Book dinner in summer and go to the market in the morning.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The old town for setting, the Dobrota waterfront for space and value.
- Order this
- Fish soup, grilled fish, and Njeguši ham with cheese.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12:00, dinner from 19:00. Kitchens stay open late in summer.
- Book or walk in
- Book the waterfront restaurants for dinner in summer. Simple places take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up or leave about 10 percent if service was good.
What to eat in Kotor
- Njeguški pršutAir-dried ham from the village of Njeguši above the bay, sliced thin and served with local cheese. Most restaurants have it as a starter.
- Fish soupA clear, peppery soup of local fish, often the best thing on a konoba menu.
- Grilled fishWhole fish, priced by weight and grilled over coals. Ask to see the fish and the weight first.
- Black risottoRice cooked with cuttlefish ink and seafood, a coast dish across the Adriatic.
- BuzaraMussels or shrimp cooked in white wine, garlic and breadcrumbs. Eat it with bread.
- KajmakA rich, soft dairy spread served with bread or meat, from the mountains above the bay.
- ĆevapiSmall grilled minced-meat sausages with bread and onion, a Balkan staple and a cheap lunch.
- PriganiceSmall fried dough, eaten for breakfast with honey or cheese.
Where to eat in Kotor, by neighborhood
Old town
Konobas and small restaurants in stone buildings, with tables on the squares. Prices are highest on the main squares and fall in the side lanes.
The market side
Just outside the Sea Gate, with the green market in the morning and cafes and simple places around it for a cheap breakfast or lunch.
Dobrota waterfront
A string of restaurants along the shore a short way from the old town, with tables on the water. Good for a long lunch or dinner with a view.
Along the bay
Village restaurants toward Morinj and Perast, some in old mills. Worth a short taxi ride for a special meal.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Galion
€€€Seafood restaurant · Waterfront, Šuranj
OrderThe grilled octopus or the catch of the day
A waterfront restaurant on the edge of the old town, with terraces over the bay and a modern take on local seafood. It is the one most visitors book.
- Book
- Book by email, phone or on its website; the terrace is open from April to November
Confirmed open: galion.me
-
Konoba Scala Santa
€€€Konoba · Old town
OrderThe fish soup or the fish stew
Kotor's oldest restaurant, in a quiet corner of the old town with wooden beams and a terrace. Straightforward, traditional Boka Bay cooking.
- Book
- Book for dinner in summer; walk in at lunch
Confirmed open: myguidemontenegro.com
-
Stari Mlini
€€€Restaurant · Ljuta, Dobrota
OrderSeafood from the day's catch
A family-run restaurant in an old mill by the water in Ljuta, a few minutes from the old town. Seasonal Montenegrin cooking, with a private car park.
- Book
- Book by email or phone, as hours vary by season
Confirmed open: starimlini.com
-
Ćatovića Mlini
€€€Konoba · Morinj
OrderGrilled fish or seafood starters
A well-known mill restaurant in Morinj, about a 15-minute drive from Kotor, with tables beside a stream. Popular for seafood on a longer lunch.
- Book
- Book ahead in summer; reachable by taxi
Confirmed open: myguidemontenegro.com
Food markets in Kotor
- Kotor green marketFruit, vegetables, cheese, smoked ham, honey, local wine, rakija and fish, in the open air beside the walls near the Sea Gate. Most stalls offer samples of cheese and ham.Daily in the morning, busiest on SaturdaySource: planplus.rs
How Kotor eats
- Meal timesLunch is a long meal from about 12:00. Dinner starts around 19:00 and runs late in summer.
- TippingLeave about 10 percent if service was good, or round the bill up. Check if a service charge is on the bill.
- ReservationsBook dinner at waterfront restaurants in summer. Simple places take walk-ins.
- Fish by weightWhole fish is priced per kilo. Ask the weight and the price before you order.
- Bread and extrasBread and olives at the table may be charged as a cover. Look at the menu for a cover line.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with photos of the dishes by the door.
Staff outside calling you in as you walk past.
A whole fish with no weight or price per kilo on the menu.
Eating in Kotor: questions people ask
What food is Kotor known for?
Seafood from the bay, such as fish soup and grilled fish, and Njeguši ham and cheese from the mountains above. Ćevapi and kajmak are everyday Balkan dishes.
Where is the best place to eat in Kotor?
For a waterfront dinner, Galion. For a traditional konoba in the old town, Konoba Scala Santa. For an old mill by the water, Stari Mlini.
Do you need to book restaurants in Kotor?
At dinner in summer, yes, for the waterfront restaurants. For simple places and lunch, you can usually walk in.
How much do you tip in Kotor?
Around 10 percent for good service, or round up the bill. A service charge is not always added.
Is Kotor expensive for food?
The old town and the waterfront cost more than the rest of Montenegro. The market, bakeries and grill places are better value than dinner on the main squares.
What should I try in Montenegro?
Njeguški pršut with cheese, fish soup, grilled fish and kajmak. Try a local wine such as Vranac with meat.