Befitting a city the size of Bar, Montenegro’s fifth biggest city has plenty to offer when it comes to toothsome restaurants. Traditional Montenegrin fare sits side by side with classic Mediterranean options in this underrated foodie getaway.
Bar is an unusual chapter in the story of Montenegrin tourism. This coastal charmer doesn’t get the attention that Kotor and Budva do, so it is free to mosey along at its own pace offering excellent food to its local people and those who venture this far south. Bar has plenty of good restaurants, and these are its finest.
Konoba Bedem
Restaurant, Mediterranean, Turkish, European, $$$
Konoba Bedem in the hills of Stari Bar, Montenegro
Sitting comfortably at the top of the Bar restaurant tree is Konoba Bedem. A stunner of an authentic restaurant located in Stari Bar, Konoba Bedem offers traditional Montenegrin food and contemporary Mediterranean dishes in a truly unbeatable location, making it a must-eat if you find yourself hungry while visiting the city. The fare is magnificent and acts as another reason to hike up to the old fortress, building up that appetite for a majestic feast.
The facade of Kaldrma restaurant in Stari Bar, Montenegro
Mixing Mediterranean fare with some seriously tasty Turkish dishes, Kaldrma is another excellent eating option in Stari Bar. The atmosphere is particularly pleasant and would act as reason enough to visit if the food wasn’t as good as it is. Those in a rush shouldn’t bother, however, as this is a place to take your time and savour – as is the Montenegrin way. Whether it is or isn’t named after Italian pavement is besides the point.
The name suggests something fishy is afoot at Konoba Ribar. That is indeed the case, although the only fishy goings on here are found on the delectable menu and emanating from the busy kitchen. A stunner of a spot from which to enjoy a sunset over Bar, Konoba Ribar is one of the premier seafood restaurants in all of Montenegro.
As enjoyable for a drink in the evening as it is for a meal in the afternoon, One More is a modern eatery waiting to be experienced on Bar’s seafront. American-style cuisine takes centre stage over the usual Montenegrin fare, although there is a lot more to this than a lustful US diner. Where else can you find burgers, sushi rolls, ćevapi and tortillas on the same menu?
Putting our love for alliteration aside for one moment, Pulena Pizza Pub still gets two thumbs up from Culture Trip. Despite the Italian influence on Montenegro’s cuisine, it can be somewhat difficult to find good pizza in the Balkan beauty, but Pulena ticks that box in Bar and then some. The location is also excellent, making this an all-round winner on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.
Locations don’t come much more regal than Bar’s Knjaževa Bašta. The clue is in the name (it basically translates as ‘The Prince’s Garden’), and no expense has been spared in making this apparent. Luxury and opulence abound through delicate chandeliers and no small amount of confidence, allied with Montenegrin food and the biggest wine list in town.
