Eating in Dubrovnik

Spaghetteria Toni (N. Bozidarevica)--good pasta

2009: With a few seats indoors and a number of green wooden tables outside, this is a popular pasta restaurant (no pizzas on the menu) located behind the Barracuda Pizza restaurant. I tried the Green Tagliatelle with chicken, capers and a cream sauce and my husband tried the Lasagna Bolognese and both were delicious with more than adequate servings. Soft drinks were expensive as is usual everywhere in the city except at the little grocery stores, so don't go to a restaurant thirsty. 2012: this restaurant is still going strong, but we didn't try it.

On the Patio of the Maestoso Restaurant (click on picture to get a better idea of the view)

Maestoso Restaurant--nice patio, mediocre food

2009: Right outside the ploce gate with a decent view of the city wall, this restaurant has indoor and patio seating. The patio is very pleasant with an awning that keeps out the sun but allows for a gentle breeze. The food we tried, unfortunately, was only mediocre.

I tried the same type of shrimp that I had and loved in Hvar (see Hvar restaurants), and there was a big contrast. There were about 20-25 small shrimp which meant lots more work peeling for lots less eating, and they were accompanied by boring white rice.

My husband had Zagreb style veal (cordon bleu made with veal). It was a generous portion accompanied by home made fries.

This restaurant has a great atmosphere on the pleasant patio and perhaps other entrees are more appetizing. If you give it a try and find something better, let me know. 2012: We didn't go to this restaurant this year, but it's going strong and even is offering a daily special.

Mea Culpa 3

2009-2012:With typical outdoor seating at wooden tables, this is another of the many pizza places in Dubrovnik old town. But the pizzas may be a bit larger and tastier than at some of the other pizzerias. My husband and I shared a calzone with ham, mushrooms, cheese and tomato sauce for 50 kuna (2012) and it was enough to satisfy us both (see picture). The crust was soft and chewy, there was a lot of cheese, and it was served piping hot. In 2009 there was only one restaurant and it served only Pizza. Now there are several, serving different food items.

Tutto Bene

2010-2012: Dubrovnik hasn’t allowed McDonalds or any of the other American fast food chains to buy into the city, but Tutto Bene is a fast food restaurant in the heart of the old city on Ulica od puca 7. I admit that I doubted I would like this restaurant, but we were tired of pasta, pizza, and seafood, so we gave it a try. And I was pleasantly surprised. My husband and I shared a cheeseburger (35 kuna, 2012)—a big, thin patty of beef served in large, flat, roll with no extra charge for condiments*—mayo, lettuce, chopped purple onions, tomato, ketchup and mustard. And a large paper cone of fries were good as well (15 kuna, 2012). (*so often you are charged for condiments in Eastern Europe). The restaurant also serves gyros, ready-made sandwiches, and pizza by the slice.