Best Cafés, Restaurants & Bars in Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor has become one of the most visited destinations in Europe, but the food scene is a bit stale. It’s not easy to find a good restaurant or cafe. Lucky for you I’ve done the “hard work”, spending 2 months eating my way around the old town. finding a proper flat white, authentic gelato, fresh pasta, meat barbecued to perfection and pastries that will have your sweet tooth aching for more. This is a carefully curated list of where to eat in Kotor. These are the places I tell my friends and family to visit.

One honest note on restaurants in Kotor specifically: quality can be inconsistent. The old town attracts a steady flow of cruise ship passengers and day trippers who won’t return, which means some restaurants don’t need to depend on repeat visitors or word of mouth to stay busy. The result is that tourist-facing spots on the main streets can be unreliable: overpriced, average and perfectly aware they’ll have a full terrace regardless. The places worth your time are the ones locals return to, the ones with queues that have nothing to do with location and the ones recommended below.

Planning your Kotor trip? Read my 15 best things to do in Kotor here.

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What To Expect From Food In Kotor

Montenegrin cuisine is hearty, honest and meat-focused. This is mountain and coastal food: fresh fish pulled from the Adriatic, slow-cooked meats and cheese made in the hills above the bay. Meals tend to be straightforward: good quality ingredients, simply prepared, without much fuss or reinvention.

A few things you’ll encounter repeatedly.

• Ćevapi: small, hand-rolled minced meat sausages. These are very juicy and often served with sour cream.
• Cuttlefish Risotto: black, creamy rice dish with cuttlefish. Tastes much nicer than it looks.
• Ajvar: smoky, deeply savoury paste made from roasted aubergine, peppers and tomatoes, accompanies many meat dishes and quickly becomes something you’ll want to put on everything. It’s become a staple in our own cupboards.
• Krempita: a delicate custard cream slice layered between thin pastry and dusted with powdered sugar, you’ll find it in almost every café and bakery in the old town.
• Mountain cheese: clean, slightly tangy quality that works well alongside cured meats as a starter or a light lunch.

Best Cafes & Restaurants In Kotor

Best Cafes In Kotor

CAVE – best specialty coffee in Kotor

After my weekly grocery shop in Kamelija Shopping Centre I needed a caffeine fix. I didn’t expect to find the best coffee in Kotor. It became my go to spot for a flat white.

CAVE is a small, humble kiosk in the shopping centre, it might not look like it but it is the only place to find speciality coffee in Kotor. The permanent queue here should have been a giveaway.

They use only freshly roasted 100% arabica beans imported from Serbia and Slovenia. The result is a full bodied, intense yet balanced cup which stays with you after the last sip. They sell many different kinds of beans too.

I found it hard to find a good flat white in Montenegro, yet CAVE perfected it, velvety smooth without being overwhelmed by the milk.

Other specialty options include aeropress, filter and the Middle Eastern favorite halva cappuccino (tahini and sugar). Matcha is also served with high quality powder, not just flavored syrup.

This is a place made for coffee connoisseurs, the baristas are true artists with meticulous attention to detail. Their creme brulee latte has a blow torch burnt topping, Marzipan flat white is topped with dried raspberries, popcorn latte uses real popcorn.

Payment is cash only, there are ATMs in the shopping centre.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 6 PM; Monday to Sunday
Seating: no – to go only
Prices: espresso €1.80, cappuccino €2.80, special lattes €4.50, croissants €4. €18 for the 250g
Address: Shopping Centre Kamelija.

Patisserie by Wine House

I am a sucker for a romantic cafe, and Patisserie by Wine House is easily the most romantic cafe in Kotor. Inside, there’s a snug, dimly lit interior with exposed stone walls and cute cat artwork, but my favorite spot to sit was outside along the cobblestones. This petite cafe wouldn’t feel out of place on the streets of Paris. It’s actually situated beside the 5th narrowest street in Europe: Ulica Pusti me proc.

There are only a few tables, and it’s one of the best cafes in Kotor so you might have to wait for a seat, but I promise you it’s worth it.

The cakes here are genuinely the best you’ll find in Kotor, they are decadent and fresh.

We ordered the lemon meringue tart and apple cashew tart. Both had a thick, buttery pastry base. The lemon had a light, fluffy meringue that tasted almost like marshmallow, with a generous layer of tangy lemon curd in the middle. The sharp citrus flavor was perfectly balanced by the sweet meringue.

The apple tart was also delicious, topped with chopped cashews and lots of cream. Their mille-feuille is also supposed to be divine.

We also ordered two oat milk cappuccinos which were full bodied, perfect with a sweet treat. Along with regular coffees the menu has signature lattes like iced bumble coffee with orange juice and caramel syrup and lavender latte. They also have protein coffees which I didn’t see in any other cafe in Kotor.

Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 10 PM; Monday to Sunday.
Seating: 3 tables inside, outside available
Prices: espresso €1.90, cappuccino €2.80, special lattes €4.50, pastries €7 – €8.
Address: Stari grad 488.

Piccolo Kotor

I visited for their “secret” garden terrace but kept coming back for the relaxed vibes and some of the best tasting coffee in Kotor.

These guys know coffee, with rich chocolate-y beans and perfectly frothed milk, it’s the kind of smooth coffee that invites you to savour it, and take your time.

This is a cafe bar, a sleek yet homely feel with just a counter and a few high stools inside. It’s intimate, the churn of the coffee grinder fills the space. There is always a queue.

The secret garden courtyard is so cute, surrounded by ancient stone walls it offers some shade yet the empty windows allow natural light to flood in. The furnishings are thoughtful, up-cycled pieces, and cushioned chairs in mismatched colours. If you have the time, bring a book and spend longer than 10-15 minutes here.

Piccolo are also known for their croissants, some even say the best croissants in Kotor, they literally fly off the shelf. I tried 4 – 5 times to grab one but each time (around 11 AM) there were no croissants left. Flavors include pistachio and kinder bueno.

Although coffee is their main offering, they have a few spritz and prosecco.

There is also a special member of staff here, a friendly little doggy. Make sure you tell him he’s a good boy!

Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 12 AM; Monday to Sunday.
Seating: very limited inside, mostly outside
Prices: espresso €1.80, cappuccino €2.80, special lattes €4.50, croissants €4.
Address: Ulica 1 (istok-zapad).

Spending the night? Find out the best areas + hotels to stay in Kotor here.

Senso Bakery

Although I had no luck with Piccolo’s croissants, it did open up the door to Senso.

A compact family-run, 4 seater cafe in the heart of old town, Senso is the place to go for a quick coffee and pastry fix.

Senso is mostly known for their crispy, flaky, buttery croissants. These are generously drizzled in sauces like pistachio or fresh cream. It’s the perfect treat pre or post Kotor ladder hike.

The coffee is also impressive, my cappuccino held its foam until the last sip. The coffee cups are beautiful, with colourful painting of Kotor old town.

This cafe is also known to be one of the best places for krempita in Kotor.

Savoury options include sandwiches and burek, but Senso is really a place to indulge your sweet tooth. Pick up a croissant for the road, mine got admiring looks all the way back to my accommodation. They look that good

Opening hours: 8 AM – 11 PM; Monday to Sunday.
Seating: Limited
Prices: espresso €1.80, cappuccino €2.50, caffe latte €4, croissants €4, sandwiches €4. krempita €4
Address: Old Town 360.

Forza Cafe

For anyone with a fondness for sweetness, Forza Cafe has the best selection of cakes and pastries in Kotor.

The first thing you see when you walk in is a large display case filled with around 25-30 cakes. Every single one of them looked delectable, the only issue is choosing which one.

The menu is huge with just about every cake you can think of: baklava, strudel, chocolate, fruit, cheese cake and local specialities such as krempita, Splitsa and Dobrotska.

We ordered the Krempita and Dobrotska. The krempita was the best we tried in Kotor. It consisted of layers of thin pastry with a light cream, topped with powdered sugar. It was so delicious and surprisingly light. The Dobrotska was a rich and crumbly with a strong taste of almond liqueur.

Located on the main square by the clock towers this is a great spot for people watching. There is a large outdoor seating area overlooking the square, where there are often live musicians. It’s very relaxed.

The coffee is no frills, it’s not bad by any means, it’s just basic, there is also no alternative milk option.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 12 AM; Monday to Sunday.
Seating: lots – both indoor and outdoor.
Prices: espresso €1.80, cappuccino €2.50, cakes €4-€7
Address: Square of the Arms

Small Talks

I hit the jackpot with our accommodation in Kotor, our neighbour was Small Talks Cafe. Sitting just outside the old town walls, it’s the kind of place you need to know about. Most visitors won’t pass by it, which is precisely what makes it feel like yours when you do.

The terrace is the reason to come. Settle into one of the cushioned chairs or high stools and look up, the mountains of Kotor sit directly in front of you, close enough to feel unlikely for a cafe table. It’s unhurried here in a way that the old town rarely is. Nobody seems to be in a rush to leave with books and laptops, and after ten minutes you’ll understand why.

The coffee holds its own too. The beans have a delicate, floral quality, lighter and more fragrant than the dark roasts I found elsewhere in Kotor, which made a welcome change. My flat white was well-judged: the milk was velvety without smothering the coffee underneath, the kind of drink you finish and immediately consider ordering again.

It’s also a popular spot for reasonably priced craft and IPA beers with a generous selection from the fridge.

Opening hours: temporarily closed until Summer 2026
Seating: both indoor and outdoor.
Prices: espresso €1.80, cappuccino €3, flat white €4, savoury croissants €8, bruschetta €8, cocktails €9, craft beer €5
Address: Put Prvoborca

Related: Kotor Cable Car + Alpine Coaster honest review & guide.

Best Restaurants In Kotor

BBQ Tanjga – best BBQ restaurant in Kotor

I kept seeing BBQ Tanjga place pop up on my TikTok feeds. Creators naming it the best restaurant in Kotor. Surely it can’t be THAT good? Situated a few metres from our accommodation I noticed that no matter what time I walked by, a queue was always out the door. Eventually the constant smoky aroma of barbecued meat was the push I needed.

A long display of fresh meat instantly greets you as you walk in, deep red and glossy brown from marination, row upon row of chicken, sausages, kebabs, and steaks: t-bone, ribeye and tomahawk. The type of display that makes you hungry even if you weren’t. You order at the counter, get handed a number, and head outside to find a seat.

We ordered the XXL mixed meat platter for €35 to share between two. This had a pork chop, chicken breast, chicken skewers, ćevapi, a large sausage and sides of fries, 2 fresh bread rolls, salads and sauces. Quite frankly, this was a lot of food for two people. Every single piece of meat I tasted was succulent and tender with a peppery smoky seasoning. My favorite was the ćevapi which was so juicy.

Although this is a meat lover’s dream, they also have a vegetarian plate with grilled slices of aubergine and peppers.

This is a popular place so expect to queue for 20 – 30 minutes before you are seated and then a further 30 minute wait for your food.

Does it live up to the TikTok hype? Oh yes.

Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM Tuesday Wednesday, Friday / 11:30 AM – 10 PM Thursday, Saturday, Sunday / 11 AM – 10 PM Monday.
Seating: a few tables indoor, large outdoor area in the back.
Prices: platters start at €17 for one person to €60 for a family size.
Address: Tanjga, E65.

Resto Bar Taraca – best vegetarian restaurant in Kotor

There is nowhere else like Resto Bar Taraca in Kotor. Offering a huge selection of healthy options including meat free and gluten free. Hands down the best vegetarian restaurant in Kotor old town.

We visited Kotor with long term vegetarians, this was our go-to lunch spot. Located a minute’s walk from the entrance to the free ladder hike, this is perfectly placed to refuel after your descent.

The menu is big with curry, gyros, sandwiches, salads and burgers. There will be a symbol beside gluten free options which was the only place I found in Kotor which had this – a nice touch.

I have to give special shout out to the falafel bowl. I ordered it on four separate occasions… seriously it was that good. Four warm crispy falafels sit on top of a large salad with tomatoes, avocado, and roasted aubergine, all of this is then drenched in a creamy peanut sauce.

Although the falafel bowl was my favorite, a member of our group boldly claimed it was the best burger they had. Was it? Well you’ll just have to go to find out.

The restaurant itself is a large space, the terrace is especially nice with a riverside view. This is a place that covers all bases for both vegetarian and meat lovers.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 11 PM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: plenty indoors
Prices: €15 – €20 for most meals.
Address: 556 Tabacina.

La Catedral Pasta Bar – best pasta in Kotor

Tucked away on the side of a small street in old town, at night this becomes a romantic little nook. Sitting out on the cobblestones with wine, fresh pasta and the lively chatter of people – you could be in Italy. La Catedral Pasta Bar is a special place that deserves all the love.

As the name implies, the menu is mostly pasta, but there is also risotto and gnocchi. I was surprised to find most of meals can be made gluten free with the exception of a few dishes which have gluten in the sauces.

The most interesting dish was the pistachio cream, it was a totally new type of flavor for me. The nuttiness of the pistachio cream is complemented by the salty crispy bits of prosciutto and then balanced out by white sauce. Each bite is rich and packed with flavor. The gluten free pasta also tasted perfect, undetectable, I forgot it was different.

My boyfriend (Bobby) sang the praises of the carbonara. This man is somewhat of a carbonara aficionado, he once ordered it for breakfast, lunch and dinner EVERYDAY on our first ever trip to Rome. According to Bobby, this carbonara was amazing, rich and generously packed with bacon. The giveaway of its high quality was its yellow colour, meaning it was made the proper way with eggs rather than cream.

A special touch is that you are offered cheese freshly grated at your table. This small detail just added to the overall positive experience.

Due to its popularity expect a wait of 30 – 60 minutes during lunch and dinner times. A small wait for the best pasta in Kotor.

Opening hours: closed until Summer 2026
Seating: outdoor only
Prices: €15 – €20 for most pasta dishes.
Address: old town Kotor

Pizzeria Primo – best pizza in Kotor

A place so good it has two premises, one for take out only, the other is for dine ins.

The smell of dough when you walk by Pizzeria Primo is hard to fight. And if you manage to fight it once, a few metres ahead is the other Pizzeria Primo so by then you’ve no willpower left. And even if you did, it’s served so fast you’ll have a slice in your hand before you know how it got there.

We loved the pizzas here, it’s a classic New York-style slice, large with a thin crust that doesn’t leave a heavy feeling in your stomach, and glistening with oil. The toppings are generous with melted stretch cheese and a punchy tomato sauce. We initially went in for one slice to share, but as soon as we finished we ran back inside for another.

The flavors available in the takeout premise include a regular margherita, ham and mushroom, pepperoni while the sit-down restaurant offers a wider menu with blue cheese, prawns, olives and bacon alongside the classics.

The restaurant is cosy, under an exposed stone wall and ceiling with wooden booths. Relaxed and unpretentious, exactly how a pizzeria should be.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 1 AM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: restaurant has seats but other is take out only.
Prices: €3.50 per slice or €12 per pizza.
Address: old town Kotor

Sandwich XL

Tired from the flight and subsequent bus journey from Dubrovnik to Kotor, I needed something quick but tasty. Sandwich XL overdelivered, if anything XL is a gross understatement. It’s not often you can say that about a place.

Looks unassuming from the outside, it’s actually pretty easy to miss, but that would be a mistake.

Crispy bread rolls are stuffed to the max with tasty ingredients. I ordered the Adriatic Bond which had salami, beef, sausage, mozzarella, tomatoes and ajvar sauce. Although this was very meaty, it didn’t overpower the sandwich as the tomato and ajvar cut through nicely. There was so much filling I ended up being covered in crumbs and overflow of toppings.

The Crunchzilla loaded with breaded chicken, gouda and pesto along with the Holy Cow overflowing with three different kinds of beef and pickles, also looked delicious.

This is a takeaway only place with no seating, which is a shame as the sandwiches require you to sit, they are too big to walk and eat. But for those looking for a juicy sandwich to fill them for the day without breaking the bank, this is for you.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: none
Prices: €9 – €14 for most sandwiches.
Address: old town Kotor

Best Bars In Kotor

Bandiera

Bandiera always had a crowd, no matter the time of day. We stopped in for one and ended up staying all night — kept going by a delicious Irish coffee, as you do.

Indoors is intimate and cosy, while sitting outside along the busy alley offers one of the better people-watching spots in the old town. It’s a casual bar with an upbeat atmosphere — the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard and doesn’t need to.

A good selection of cocktails covers the classics, but honestly the Irish coffee alone is reason enough to pull up a stool.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 1 AM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: indoor & outdoor
Prices: beer €3-€4.50, spirits €3.50, cocktails €8-€10, wine €4.60 glass.
Address: Ulica 2 (sjever-jug).

The Square Pub

A great all-rounder. Sitting on the square directly across from Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral, The Square Pub became our reliable fallback — easy to get a seat, reasonable prices, and decent food done well.

The gourmet stuffed burger with cheese was the standout, the kind of thing you order once and find yourself thinking about on subsequent visits. If you want somewhere unfussy to settle in for the evening without committing to a full restaurant dinner, this is it.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 1 AM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: indoor & outdoor
Prices: beer €3-€4.50, cocktails €8-€10, food €15
Address: old town Kotor

Letrika Caffe Bar

Trendy, loud, young and completely alive, Letrika is where you end the night in Kotor. The music spills out onto the street along with the crowd, it’s the kind that makes strangers feel like old friends by the second drink.

This is not a quiet drink spot. Come here when you’ve committed to a late one and want to meet people.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 1 AM Monday to Sunday.
Seating: indoor
Prices: beer €3-€4.50, cocktails €8-€10, (cash only)
Address: old town Kotor

Holy Shot Bar

Small bar, enormous cocktail and shot menu. Not a shot person by nature, but these were genuinely tasty well-made, creative, and good value.

If you’re looking for a fun cocktail bar in Kotor this is a kick off the night. The space is small but they give you takeaway cups so you can enjoy the street vibe.

We ordered a Baby Guinness and a Bloody Brain.

Opening hours: temporarily closed until summer 2026.
Seating: indoor (limited)
Prices: €5 per shot, cocktails €10-€15
Address: old town Kotor

Ice Cream In Kotor

For gelato in Kotor, there was only one place worth going: Marshall’s.

Authentic, creamy and smooth, this is gelato that lets the quality of the flavors speak for themselves rather than leaning on sweetness. The salted pistachio was the highlight, almost too good to share.

A small but thoughtful detail: gluten-free cones are available, which is rarer than it should be and worth knowing if you need it.

Opening hours: temporarily closed until summer 2026.
Seating: none
Prices: €4 small, €5.50 medium, €7 large.
Address: old town Kotor

Kotor’s food scene rewards those who look beyond the main square. These are the places worth finding.

Kotor Essentials