Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a world-class travel destination, so it makes sense that the restaurant scene would be equal to the task of feeding all these Game of Thrones-obsessed travelers from across the globe. Walking through the historic walled city and its winding streets, you’ll immediately want to drop your luggage off with Bounce, explore the back alleys and find a charming place for an authentic Croatian meal. Balkan food can be heavy on the lamb and beef, and coastal Dubrovnik has the benefit of the Adriatic for an endless supply of fresh seafood, but the selection of vegetarian dishes in town is truly impressive, and a welcome sight for those eating a plant-based diet.
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants have been trending upward across Europe, and Dubrovnik is on the cutting edge of this movement. Especially for a city of this size, the vegetarian restaurant scene in Dubrovnik certainly punches above its weight class, with good food throughout the entire city. More impressively, is the variety you’ll find when you’re looking for a dinner spot that suits your dietary needs. Whether it’s Indian food, Balkan classics reimagined in a veggie-centric context, or modern vegan concoctions, Dubrovnik has it all. Here are the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Dubrovnik:
Green Garden Burger Bar
What it's like:
While the words “burger bar” rarely inspire confidence in vegetarians and vegans, who have no doubt had their fair share of bad experiences with fast food, this beer garden serves up amazing food (and big portions) that's delicious and meatless, and not just a salad bar. Located near the Gruž Port, you’ll find the area much quieter than bustling Old Town or Banje Beach, but the vibe in their leafy garden patio is cheery and perfect for small groups. Even better, they have a varied menu, with a variety of burger patties that will satisfy carnivores, vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans.
Our recommendation:
They have vegetarian dishes based on classic tavern bites, including a legendary veggie gyro, vegetarian tacos (that might be the best tacos in all of Dubrovnik), and a selection of burgers that even meat-eaters find appetizing. Their Zucchini Burger is smothered in leafy greens, grilled veggies, Croatian cheese, and a homemade sauce that packs a punch. Their vegan “Just Eat No Meat Burger” has a plant-based pattie, vegan cheese, mushrooms, caramelized onion, and spicy vegan mayo (a rare treat). This is one of their most popular menu items for a reason, and you’ll find just about everyone ordering it.
Sure they have great food and vegan options, but they really have an incredible selection of Croatian craft beer, which has exploded in recent years in the same way that American brewing has. In Europe, it can be hard to come by IPAs and stouts (that aren’t Guinness), but Green Garden offers one of the best beer menus in all of Croatia.
Address:
Lapadska obala 22, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 11 PM (closed Sundays)
Urban & Veggie
What it's like:
Another standout located near the Gruž Port, this quaint eatery is set in a beautiful courtyard and serves some of the best vegetarian food in Dubrovnik. The menu leans veggie and is highly rated for its Mediterranean-inspired shared plates, and farm-fresh ingredients.
Our recommendation:
The best item on the menu is their Veggie Burger, with a plant-based pattie, vegan mayo, and sweet corn salsa topping. It rivals Café Festival and Green Garden Burger Bar for the best veggie burger in the city.
There are alternative grain options for gluten free dishes, which goes a long way with their line of sandwiches that use plant-based protein. There are also traditional Croatian dishes that have been reinterpreted without meat. If you're not just here for delicious food, the wine menu is certainly a standout, with a huge emphasis on wines from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Address:
Obala Stjepana Radića 13, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 8:00 AM - 11 PM (closed Sundays)
Nishta Vegan Cafe
What it's like:
This is generally the first port of call for vegetarian travelers when they are dining out in Dubrovnik. For one, it’s steps away from the Pile Gate, where most visitors enter the walled city. It’s also in a prime location on Prijeko street above the city’s most popular wine bars. Stopping by D’Vino for a pre or post-meal glass of wine (or bottle) is highly recommended.
The restaurant is sunny and bright, with tons of natural light spilling into the dining room from the street for both indoor and outdoor seating. The amazing views and people-watching from Prijeko Street are great, as you’ll witness hundreds of travelers attempt to navigate the winding medieval pathways of Old Town. There is also a gorgeous cobbled patio in between the buildings, which are the most coveted tables in the restaurant. The facade and interior are all old stone, which adds to the very “Dubrovnik” feel of the restaurant.
Our recommendation:
Nishta’s menu is entirely vegan, which makes navigating the options simpler. That doesn’t make the choices any easier though! This is a solid menu of vegan food that foodies and locals rave about, with something for just about everyone. The Beetroot Tartar is a refreshing and healthy way to start the meal, and the Cauliflower Crunch is perfect for any sullen meat-eaters wishing they were dining on chicken wings. The Vegan “Cevapcici” entree is the menu’s headliner, being a reimagined Croatian classic made entirely of plant-based protein. As a side note, for those traveling with meat-eaters, getting an authentic cevap from a street food vendor is an absolute must for any visit to Dubrovnik. The Falafel Wrap and Curry Plate are also flavorful and familiar options. The rest of the menu is rotating, with seasonal local ingredients being a priority of the restaurant. This vegan restaurant located in Dubrovnik of all places serves up a burrito (with vegan sour cream) that rivals that of any Mexican restaurant.
The wine and beer lists are both excellent at Nishta, with a heavy local emphasis on both. Croatian beer has come a long way in recent years, and the new brewing industry resembles the modern American scene. Croatian and Balkan wine is seriously underrated, so delving into Nishta’s wine list is a solid move unless you want to head to D’Vino after your meal!
Address:
Prijeko bb, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 11:30 AM - 10 PM (closed Sundays)
Taj Mahal (Not An Indian Restaurant)
What it's like:
This is an absolute staple for vegans and vegetarians in Dubrovnik. The name may evoke memories of Indian food from curry houses and Indian restaurants, but Taj Mahal actually serves Bosnian food. While much of Bosnian cuisine revolves around traditional grilled sausages like čevapi or burek (rolled meat pies), Taj Mahal offers a plethora of tasty vegetarian options.
There are two locations across Dubrovnik. The Old Town location is located in the shadows of prime Game of Thrones shooting locations, and a short walk from every major landmark in the walled city. Their other location is the flagship restaurant at Hotel Lero, which is just a short walk from Bellevue Beach. With either location, you'll be eating delicious food at an amazing restaurant.
Our recommendation:
Get the Kaynak fritters, which are made from thick cream cheese, and somun, which is a flatbread baked with onions and grilled vegetables, and Balkan spices.
Old Town Walls Location
Address:
Ul. Nikole Gučetića 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Every Day 10:00 AM - Midnight
Hotel Lero Location
Address:
Ul. Iva Vojnovića 14, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Every Day 10:00 AM - Midnight
Lucin Kantun Dubrovnik
What it's like:
Located near the Pile Gate, this amazing restaurant has an incredible selection of vegetarian tapas and main dishes that will have you thinking of the menu as “vegetarian with one or two meat dishes” rather than the opposite. Their open-kitchen format makes for an exciting dining experience, and there are a small number of first-come, first-served patio tables that offer some serious people-watching. But the menu is the star here.
Our recommendation:
The Baked Brie or Black Risotto are standout tapas dishes that utilize entirely local ingredients. The Hummus with Pumpkin Seeds is a fresh take on a Mediterranean classic, and perfect for sharing. If you feel like indulging, the Cheese and Spinach Rolls showcase Croatian goat cheese and house basil sauce. The Vegetarian Risotto is as, if not more, popular than any meat entree on the menu.
Address:
Ul. od Sigurate 4A, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Every Day 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Café Festival
What it's like:
This is an excellent option for grabbing a quick vegan breakfast before or after visiting the Franciscan Monastery. Their sidewalk tables are perfectly located for people-watching, and their rotating brunch menu has homemade bread (with gluten free options), and outstanding vegetarian and vegan options. The coffee (with soy milk) is locally roasted in the Croatian tradition, and the café itself is a hangout for locals and tourists alike.
Our recommendation:
The perfectly cooked Veggie Burger is the most popular item on the menu. It comes with a quinoa veggie pattie and basically an entire salad as a topping, including avocado, and the sun-dried tomato mayo can be made vegan. Swing by, grab some great food, a delicious cup of Croatian coffee and veggie burger, and explore Old Town Dubrovnik!
Address:
Stradun 28, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Every Day 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pantarul
What it's like:
It’s hard to come by restaurants near Old Town Dubrovnik that are frequented by locals, and nearly impossible to find them within the walled city. That’s simply not the case with mainstays like Pantarul. This bistro feels like you’re in Dubrovnik, without needing to be located beneath a medieval tower that was featured in Game of Thrones. The menu also appeals to local palates, with a strong emphasis on Balkan ingredients, especially Croatian cheese, and Bosnian wine. The restaurant’s menu changes, but the stalwart local sources for seasonal ingredients remain the same with renowned farms from Konavle and Župa.
Our recommendation:
Get here early as this place fills up fast!
Address:
Ul. kralja Tomislava 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Pizzeria Papillon
What it's like:
Located outside of Old Town near Bounce’s storage locations on Josip Jelačića Street, Pizzeria Papillon is one of the best places to get a group together to share some drinks and some very good pizza. They have a rotating menu of specialty pizzas, all of which come with locally-sourced toppings. For meat-eaters and pescatarians, you’ll find creative toppings like čevapi and calamari that are of the highest quality. For vegetarians, the produce used for everything from tomatoes to artichoke is organic and ultra-fresh.
Our recommendation:
Depending on how adventurous the diner is, they have a dependable Margherita pizza baked in the Napoletana tradition or throw “the entire garden” on the pie with every vegetable (and even fruit) available.
After pizza and some delicious Croatian wine, stroll over to Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park to see the sunset or walk through this lush public park.
Address:
Ul. kralja Tomislava 7, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Gradska Kavana Arsenal
What it's like:
Located near St. Blaise's Church, The Port of Old Town, and The Rector’s Palace, it’s no wonder why you’d need a reservation to secure a table at this classy Old Town establishment. With a menu that focuses on fresh Mediterranean flavors and ingredients, this restaurant is perfectly placed, being just steps from the city walls and Adriatic sea breeze. This restaurant is best-experienced on their patio, which has some of the best people-watching in Old Town. The atmosphere? As celebratory as it gets in this beautiful city, with excellent service from the knowledgeable wait staff.
Our recommendation:
There are traditional menu items throughout the menu, but each of them has been given a modern interpretation. The Marinated Zucchini with feta and dill, and a potentially best-in-city Burrata with basil pesto are some of the most popular items on the menu, veggie or not. The Leek and Pea Risotto and Truffle and Mushroom Pasta are both fresh takes on classic Italian dishes. This is another one of those restaurants that are perfect for vegetarians but defined by being meat-free. It’s a world-class restaurant in an unbeatable location that just so happens to serve amazing vegetarian food.
Address:
Ul. Pred Dvorom 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hours:
Open Every Day 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Conclusion
While most travelers head to Dubrovnik for its world-class beaches, famous medieval architecture, and Game of Thrones callbacks, this city is serious about its amazing food. This city not only has incredible Mediterranean, Italian, and traditional Croatian cuisine, the vegan options and vegetarian restaurants in Dubrovnik are highlights. Whether it’s a café or beer garden, you can find epic veggie burgers or a fine-dining take on an Italian classic in a quaint courtyard. So drop your bags off with Bounce, fuel up with some plant-based protein, and go explore this amazing city!
