Durmitor National Park is one of the most glorious natural spots on the planet. It is positively begging to be explored in an active manner, and plenty of fuel will be required for the trip. Luckily for you, there are a lot of excellent restaurants waiting to provide that sustenance.
Hiking the magnificent trails of Durmitor National Park can be exhausting work. Filling up before the trip and refuelling afterwards is absolutely imperative, and the good people of Žabljak and around are on hand to provide top quality Montenegrin fare at excellent prices. These are the best restaurants in the area.
Hotel Soa
Restaurant, Hotel Restaurant, Contemporary, European
Durmitor National Park might be massive but the majority of that is taken up by majestic mountains and luscious landscapes, with little left over for modernity and urbanisation. This means that the few establishments tend to double (or triple) up as hotels, restaurants and bars all at the same time. Hotel Soa is one such spot, sat quaintly in the centre of Žabljak. The accommodation is fabulously modern, and the restaurant continues the trend with a focus on contemporary food as opposed to traditional authentic fare. Plenty of wine too, which always helps.
From contemporary European fare to a truly Montenegrin marvel. Momčilov Grad is a warts-and-all Balkan extravaganza, with the focus firmly on grilled meat and grease as opposed to longevity and good health. The commitment to traditional Montenegrin ways extends to the service, which can only be described as ‘leisurely’, but the views from here may well be worth it.
Eating in the Balkans can be a bit of a culture shock for those obsessed with cleanliness. This is understandable to some degree, but there is no longer an excuse to not be aware of it before visiting. Expect plenty of people smoking indoors and an attention to detail that is best described as ‘liberal’. Once you get over this, you can enjoy the excellent food available here. Kotoba Luna is all of these within four walls – a no-frills restaurant serving great food and focusing almost entirely on that. Don’t expect five stars, but do expect satisfaction.
Lupo D’Argento feels a little out of place in Žabljak. The town is more functional than fancy, fully aware that its reason for existing is to provide a base for people to explore the national park. This Mediterranean restaurant is undoubtedly the most modern in town, and one that wouldn’t be out of place on the streets of Podgorica or Herceg Novi. It takes a little getting used to, but there is plenty of wine on hand to ease the transition.
Little has changed with Montenegrin cuisine over the last century, but Dvorište is here to address that. This Žabljak restaurant is trying a few new things with the ingredients that we all know and love, and the results invoke thumbs up more often than not. There is a charm to the setting as well, offering something different to the expansive nature of Durmitor National Park.
The Savin Kuk ski resort is one of the most popular spots in all of Durmitor, and Restoran Koliba takes care of the nourishment demands of those who come to visit. The prices are most definitely on the agreeable side of things, but we’d happily pay a little bit more for the authentic regional dishes that make their way out of the kitchen. The views are also delightful, but the interior is too adorable to miss out on.
Huge portions and fantastic views await inside this eponymous eatery. Friendly staff and inexpensive prices are also found, but it is the food and the vistas that keep visitors coming back for more (allowing enough time for digestion of course). Traditional Balkan cuisine is the name of the game, with ćevapi and pljeskavica taking pride of place on the extensive menu.
