The 10 Best Restaurants in Budva, Montenegro

Tucked away behind a stone façade in Budva old town, Stari Grad epitomises a coastal Montenegrin restaurant. They serve traditional Montenegrin cuisine like whole fish with dalmatinsko varivo, a Dalmatian-style side of silver beet and potato flavoured with garlic. An intimate atmosphere, a glass of cold rosé from Montenegro’s Arhonto Winery and a serenading live musician make Konoba Stari Grad a top choice in Budva.

When you’ve got a hankering for green curry or pad thai, Taste of Asia is the place to go. One of the few Asian restaurants in Montenegro, Taste of Asia serves authentic Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. They’re known for the green curry and pad thai, but their spring rolls, kung pao chicken and tom yum soup are also highly recommended.

Olive is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant about 15 minutes south of Budva town in Sveti Stefan. This is the perfect place to get out of the busy life of Budva and have a special meal. The view from the restaurant overlooks gorgeous Sveti Stefan Island. Get here in time for sunset and it’ll be a meal you’ll never forget.

Inside the old town, Smsom is a hidden gem, but word is getting out about this little tapas and wine bar. Montenegrins are staunch carnivores, but Smsom is winning them over, one hummus wrap at a time. Grab a hot rakija (Balkan brandy) or Montenegrin coffee to go with your falafel and enjoy the old town atmosphere.

Kužina is the Montenegrin word for kitchen and this restaurant is the place Budva residents go when they miss their mum’s cooking. Everyone loves čevapi, Balkan sausages served with fries and raw onion. On colder days ispod sač, meat and vegetables slow roasted over coals until it’s falling-off-the-bone succulent, can’t be beaten. For something less carnivorous try the pasulj, beans cooked with sausages.

Mercur is a favourite among locals and families. Although it’s at the heart of Budva, by the bus station, the town is all but shut out by a lush garden, creating an oasis around the restaurant. There’s a small animal garden with rabbits, tortoises, ducks and chickens. There’s also an indoor playground, which makes it a great destination for families. The food at Mercur is second to none. Pljeskavica (meat patty) with melting kajmak cheese, tomato soup and ispod sač are all guaranteed to satisfy.

Jadran Kod Krsta is one of the oldest and most established restaurants in Budva. Right on the seaside promenade, this restaurant has been dishing up traditional coastal cuisine for over 40 years. Whole fish, octopus, calamari and shellfish are all excellent here. A squeeze of lemon, lashings of garlic and parsley, a glass of local red wine and a little rock music make this the perfect place for a seaside meal in Budva.

Away from the busy seaside, Konoba Bocun is the place to get a taste of real Montenegrin cuisine and hospitality. Known for their friendly service, modest prices and excellent food, this family-run restaurant is an off-the-beaten-track favourite. Try their home-made cheeses, baklava and flavoured rakija. Živjeli! – that’s cheers in Montenegro.

Pržno is an idyllic little cove about 10 minutes north of Budva. The pretty little hamlet is home to Langust, a seaside restaurant that’s about as idyllic as it gets. The outdoor terrace is just steps from the sand and overlooks Pržno’s stone and seaside. This is the place to enjoy a quiet, candlelit, seafood dinner on the Budva Riviera.

Il Gelato di Salvatore will have you coming back every day of your stay in Budva. Their huge array of exquisite gelatos are made with the finest locally-sourced ingredients. We recommend the wild strawberry, pomegranate and rich, dark chocolate!