Words & Pictures by Shaun Troke
Croatia is a country renowned for its seafood and wine, so it would’ve been wrong not to sample each of these while in Dubrovnik…
HOWEVER…
A couple of my food plans were scuppered, due to a) a World Cup football match, and b), well, time.
I’d learned prior to my visit that Malvasija Wine Bar (4, Dropčeva ul.) serve cheese & meat with their wine servings, hence the temptation to visit there (free food..ish!)
Unfortunately, though, the only time I could visit this bar was on the evening of Thursday 21st June…which was the same time that Croatia were playing in a World Cup football match…
As you can imagine, the narrow passageway of Dropčeva ul was swamped with rowdy football supporters.
I’d also learned that Pantarul (Ul. kralja Tomislava 1) serve good wine with their generous portions of risotto, too.
And, my feeble excuse for not visiting this restaurant is because I just didn’t have time: It’s located a 20min bus ride from Old Town, and my time in Old Town was restricted to under 48hrs…
So, while I was unable to cross-off those two haunts from my To Do list, the following three restaurants made up for the loss…
Rajski Vrt
Location: Lokrum ul.
Selected Dish: Bruschetta
While this restaurant wasn’t actually on my To Do list, it was hidden treasure I stumbled across when close to heat exhaustion on the island of Lokrum.
Desperately needing shade (and food and fluids!) Rajski Vrt’s shady & (at the time) empty exterior honed me in immediately…
Granted, I was their first customer that day.
It was before 11am, and they don’t begin serving food until 11am, but this was the perfect surroundings needed for someone close to collapsing!
The seating is ever so comfortable.
With couches to recline on, and high-rising umbrellas to protect you from the sun…the latter being something that someone with heat exhaustion would need!
And, the low tables to make it easy for you to reach your drinks and food…
I kept my food order small, because I knew I’d be visiting another restaurant after this one…
And, what came was Bruschetta, topped with cheese, ham & tomatoes, with an oil & pesto dip on the side:
The food was perfect.
Within minutes I was feeling better & hydrated, and able to kick back on the sofas, enjoying the views of the gardens & Adriatic Sea, before heading back to the mainland…
For more food!
Bota, Oyster & Sushi Bar
Location: Ul. od Pustijerne
Selected Dish: Oyster Roll
This restaurant was attractive to me, not only because I love sushi, but, because I’d never tried oysters before.
So, the food choice was easy:
Get an Oyster Roll!
And, it was a delicious choice!
Accompanied by an additional sushi roll – the Salmon Skin roll – the Oyster Roll prevailed in taste, exploding great flavours into your mouth (nope, that wasn’t the wasabi!), with an ever so crunchy bite to it as well!
Coffee was also ordered with the food…and, coffee is another must while in Dubrovnik!
Everywhere I caffeinated-up, the coffee was always enjoyable.
The location of Bota is perfect:
The outdoor area is shaded away from sunlight; located on a pathway so you can people-watch; you’ve a view of Dubrovnik Cathedral beside you; and, the staff are ever so friendly.
PLUS, if you pay in cash, you’ll receive 10% off your final bill!
Barba, Seafood Street Food
Location: Boškovićeva ul. 5
Selected Dish: Octopus Burger
When I spot anywhere offering a different type of burger, I’ll make it a priority to try this burger (this doesn’t exclude McDonald’s restaurants either!)
So, when I read that Barda’s Octopus Burger was worth a try, this was added to my list immediately!
The shack-like venue offers both a take-away AND a sit-in area, with the latter featuring dozens of small wooden food-forks poked into orifices in fittings all around the room…
Making the interior feel like you’re in a beach hut!
Yet, Barba is actually tucked down an alley in the middle of town!
The indoor seating can’t really hold a large capacity – at a guess, I’d say no more than 20 people…
And, the staff are so accommodating – if you pay by card, they’ll give you the option to pay in Kunas or your own currency, advising which offers you the best rate.
Oh, I almost forgot…the food!
The Octopus Burger comes in a brown/blue bun (which I believe gets its colour from the ink of a squid), and, is served with salad & a relish.
I found that the taste of the relish overpowered the burger slightly…
However, this didn’t stop me from noticing that the burger itself tasted a little like Fish Cake!
Maybe the burger just lost its appeal when I enviously watched the Kiwi couple beside me order a large seafood platter board!
But, if you’re into trying quirky types of food, the Octopus Burger should be added to your list.
I can now say that I’ve tried it, and it’s up there with the Crocodile Burger I tried in Australia…
Which actually tasted like a chicken burger!
Have you also visited these restaurants? Let us know your thoughts in a comment below!
Read more about Shaun’s trip to Dubrovnik HERE!