6 Romantic Restaurants in Dreamy Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia has all the makings of a fairytale setting. From the gem-colored fairy pools at Plitvice National Park to the hidden waterfall village of Rastoke, the rich truffle-laden hills of Istria, and the red-roofed buildings and cobblestone streets of Zadar, the Balkan country feels like a land created by Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, or George R.R. Martin.  

The coastal town of Dubrovnik is no different. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik is perfect for lovebirds looking to delve into Croatian cuisine, culture, and lore. Here, you’ll find fresh seafood, creative cocktails, and romantic settings that are perfect to be shared with a loved one. Grab your date by the hand and stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets to treat yourself to any of the cozy dining experiences below.  

Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant  

Seated in the heart of Dubrovnik’s historic district, Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant is an idyllic spot to have a romantic meal. While the interior is spacious with high, domed ceilings and nooks and crannies perfect for tucking away, I recommend dining al fresco if the weather permits. You’ll have your choice of sitting in front of the restaurant, overlooking the bustling main square or on the back terrace, with scenic views of the former medieval shipyard.  

Guests may enjoy locally caught seafood and fresh Mediterranean fare. If you’re in the mood for something a little more hearty, opt for the gnocchi in rich bourbon sauce or the sailor-style risotto made with an array of sea fare and locally sourced tomatoes.

Posat Restaurant

Picture this: You and your darling strolling along palm tree-lined streets to Posat Restaurant. Perched on a hillside just outside the walls of Old Town, Posat offers beautiful views of the Dubrovnik fortification and glimpses of the glimmering Adriatic Sea beyond. Diners will delight in the romantic ambiance, entailing fresh orchid arrangements, candlelit tables, and a live pianist.  

At Posat, you’ll dine on an authentic Dubrovnik Mediterranean menu. In true farm-to-table fashion, chef Ivica Udženija grows most of the seasonal vegetables that grace the plates on his nearby farm, and you can select your seafood du jour from the large seawater aquarium to have freshly prepared.  

End your meal feeding each other bites of the Hazelnut in 24-karat gold, a perfectly baked meringue with golden hazelnuts, hazelnut paste, and milk chocolate ganache. It’s as luxurious as it sounds.

Restaurant Sesame

Restaurant Sesame is a picturesque portal that whisks you away to an intimate meal. Part secret garden, part whimsical cottage, the restaurant’s marble pillars, crawling vines, and quality ingredients make it a wonderful place to grab a bite.  

The enchanting ambiance is paired with equally magical food. As the website states, the menu was created as a journey through Dubrovnik’s history, “somewhere on the thin line between heaven and earth, between sea and land.”  

Your journey to paradise and back might include an order of duck breasts with porto sauce or perhaps the lamb shank with truffle puree. If you’re up for a libation, I recommend the signature cocktail, A Love Supreme, which combines whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup, and orange juice.

Restaurant Sesame reopens in March from a seasonal closure. 

D’vino Wine Bar

Follow the golden glow of the interior lights to this quaint Dubrovnik wine bar. Weaving through the narrow alleys and side streets will be worth it to get to this tucked away haunt. Snag a small table that hugs the exterior stone walls or nestle yourself at one of the tables inside for a more intimate setting.  

D’vino prefers to highlight small, family-run vineyards, making it the perfect place to sample an array of Croatian wines. Order a wine flight and toast your way through local wines — from Dingač, a red wine from the Pelješac Peninsula, to Grk, a wine created from the indigenous Croatian grape from the island of Korčula.  

In Croatia, it’s customary to enjoy light bites with your wine so consider ordering one of the cheese and meat platters to share.

Restaurant & Bar Fratellos

Originally a Prosecco bar, Fratellos is a romantic place to pass the time with a glass of local bubbly in hand. With jaw dropping views of the Adriatic, numerous outdoor terraces, and live music and dancing, this is one of the most dramatic places to catch a Dubrovnik sunset.  

Fratellos is located in the Boninovo area which is well known for its seaside cliffs and enchanting architecture. It’s worth setting aside some time for a leisurely stroll to take in the neighborhood either pre or post drinks.

Fratellos is open seasonally, from March through October.

Restaurant 360 

For a special occasion and formidable fine dining, treat yourself to a world class meal at Restaurant 360, Dubrovnik’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Here, you’ll find timeless charm in an elegant setting as you dine along the curved terrace that lines the St. John fortress. 

Chef Marijo Curić, was born and raised in Dubrovnik and has incorporated the unique tastes of Dalmatian cuisine alongside modern French cooking techniques. 360’s à la carte menu features options like pigeon served with onion cream, kohlrabi, pear, walnuts, and caper sauce as well as lamb confit served with fava beans, sheep yogurt, and lamb jus. There’s also an exquisite tasting menu that’s lovingly prepared by Marijo. It’s worth noting that you’ll have to wait until dinner to eat at 360, as the restaurant is only open in the evening.