The Best Traditional Bosnian Restaurants in Mostar
Mostar gets thousands of tourists each month crossing the border from Dubrovnik to get a taste of Bosnia and see Stari Most Bridge. Enterprising locals established several restaurants serving traditional-style food, including cevapi, Mostar’s speciality Sogan-Dolma, and fish.
Sadrvan
Restaurant, Mediterranean, European, Turkish, Croatian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Middle Eastern
Waiters take orders in traditional clothes at Sadrvan, a medium-sized restaurant in the pedestrian area near Stari Most Bridge. Tourists often come here for lunch as part of their guided tour or independently after a recommendation. Expect it to be busy.
Prices are affordable, and the food is mouth-wateringly delicious. Check out the selection of Dolma on the menu, which is a vegetable stuffed with either meat or rice. Japrak, or minced meat in leaves, is another one of the better dishes in this restaurant. Both are suitable for a snack or a light meal.
The main dish on the menu that satisfies the tourist’s palate is the Mostarski Sahan. Expect a large plate filled with a japrak, dolma, potatoes and lamb served with a sour cream. Visitors aren’t able to finish the dish alone and order to share with their partner. Sadrvan also serves other Bosnian treats such as Begova Soup (Bev’s Soup), which is a slow-cooked chicken and vegetable soup. A sweet dessert, like Tufahija, is the best way to finish your meal while drinking Bosnia coffee.
Tima-Irma
Restaurant, European, Vegetarian
Tima-Irma opened its doors more than three decades ago, long before the tourists’ arrival. The family-run business sits in the old town on the western side of the river with a prime view of the bridge. Service is fast, and the owner is often around having a chat with some of the diners.
If you’re a vegetarian, you won’t enjoy Tima-Irma quite as much as your meat-loving co-patrons. Cevapi and lamb are in abundance, and the meat platter for two is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. You’ll get large portions of food at a reasonable value price.
Restaurant Kulluk
Restaurant, Mediterranean, European, Halal, Vegetarian
On the eastern Bosniak side of the River Neretva, near Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, is Restaurant Kulluk. The restaurant gives off a family-friendly atmosphere and is frequented by locals and tourists alike for its barbeque dishes. Tables are inside a traditional Bosnian building and give diners views of the Mostar Bridge.
Meat lovers will enjoy Restaurant Kulluk. Cevapi and grilled lamb are just a few of their favourites. A popular dish with tourists is the Bosnian Meat Platter, which has a selection of everything. The trout dish is also highly recommended.
Babilon
Restaurant, European, Vegetarian
Babilon attracts visitors and diners to enjoy its multiple-terraced dining areas overlooking both the Stari Most Bridge and Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. The seating area provides the perfect shade on a warm sunny day to sip a refreshing bottle of Herzegovinian wine.
Typical meals include a large plate of cevapi with somun (Bosnian bread) and a dip. Portions are plentiful, and service is fast. Another dish to try is the mixed meat platter, which has pork chops, sausages, liver and cevapi. Vegetarian options are available, including a vegetable platter, locally produced Bosnian cheese and soup.
Hindin Han
Restaurant, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free
Hindin Han on the western, Croat side of the River Neretva brings traditional Bosnian food to diners inside an old mill cottage. Terraced-tables overlooking a stream has suitable shade from the sun making an ideal spot to enjoy a meal. According to both locals and tourists, ratings are always consistently high.
One of the appeals of Hindin Han is the vegetarian platter, coming as a relief from the other restaurants focusing on meat. Meat lovers get a treat here too with the grilled chicken skewers and meatball patties. All dishes come with a significant portion and an affordable price tag.