Continuing our look at Dubrovnik on 14 January 2017, what are the specialised dining options - international, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free?
You may be wondering what to do and where to go when it comes to eating in Dubrovnik if you're gluten free, vegan, vegetarian or have issues with allergies. While there aren't a huge number of places catering to more specialised dietry needs as yet, more and more people are being diagnosed with food intolerances each year, making for a real niche in the market and slowly but surely, local eateries are waking up to it.
Here are a few you can try...
Nishta
(Prijeko bb)
Nishta, literally translating as ''nothing'' is located in the famous Old City and has an impressive 4.5 stars on the popular and influential website Trip Advisor. Nishta is a small place tucked down one of Dubrovnik's many alleyways and offers a selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free meals. While the menu is fairly limited, the food is great and the service matches it. While not exactly cheap, Nishta is a breath of fresh air for vegans and vegetarians in a country which is well known for its love of meat and fish. Food can also be taken out from Nishta.
Shizuku Japanese Cuisine
(Ulica kneza Domagoja 1a)
A little out of the way, this is one of the only truly international restaurants in Dubrovnik. Shizuku is popular with locals and tourists alike, attracting very many Japanese visitors who fancy a break from otherwise quite heavy European food. The restaurant has a wide array of food on offer at very reasonable prices. With a 4.8 rating on Trip Advisor and nothing but positive reviews, Shizuku is a must go if you're getting tired of the usual. It should be noted that Shizuku, unlike every other restaurant in the area, is open only in the evenings (after 5pm) and you usually need to make a reservation.
Azur Dubrovnik Restaurant
(Pobijana Ulica 10)
Azur is located in the Old City and classifies itself as an Asian fusion restaurant. With a 4.6 rating on Google, Azur is popular with anyone wanting something different. With good service, an excellent and varied menu and a fantastic location, who could want more? The swordfish and tuna with an Asian twist appear to be among the most popular with tourists looking for a change from the usual.
Incredible India
(Vetraniceva Ulica 6)
Incredible India is a pretty new addition to the Dubrovnik international cuisine scene (to be honest, there wasn't such a scene until recently), and has gained in popularity among locals as well as among visitors. With a 4 star rating, Incredible India attracts people from all over the world to unite over the global favourite - Indian cuisine. According to their website, Incredible India offers an exquisite, unique Indian cuisine and a sophisticated dining experience for those seeking to explore beyond the ordinary.
Oyster and Sushi Bar BOTA
(Ulica od Pustijerne)
Open from 9am until 1am, this restaurant is very popular with all. Recognised and famed for its oysters, any cravings for combinations of flavours that differ from the usual in the area will definitely be satisfied by the selection of food here. With food to please the most passionate meat lover to the most health conscious of vegetarians, you won't go wrong coming here, especially if you're a group with different dietry requirements.
Mex Cantina Bona Fide
(Cubranoviceva Ulica 8)
A Mexican restaurant in the Old City which serves huge portions and a very impressive variety of options for vegetarians, the sugar conscious and pretty much any specific diet or lifestyle. The food is far from expensive and the service is very good. Gluten free food is common here, making it a friend of the Coeliacs.
Mr Fresh
(Ulica od Puca 14)
Mr Fresh, located in the Old City, is the place to go for fruit juices, smoothies and light dishes like wraps and sandwiches. Mr Fresh has very good service and value for money.
Bonto Korean and Japanese Restaurant
(Masarykov put 3c)
Tucked away in a quite corner of Lapad, Bonto Korean and Japanese Restaurant is the first Korean restaurant in the area, with the name ''Bonto'' deriving from the Korean for ''origin''. This restaurant is perfect for those looking for a change from the usual and offers a varied, modern menu based on traditional Korean and Japanese food. The staff are very friendly, the service is fast and the food is delicious. Another great place for our huge number of Korean tourists hoping to find a taste of home.
Taj Mahal Bosnian Cuisine
(Ulica Nikole Gucetica 2)
Taj Mahal is situated in the heart of the Old City. While a lot of the food here is indeed similar to dishes served in many restaurants in Dubrovnik and Croatia in general, this restaurant offers some incredible Bosnian dishes that cannot be eaten elsewhere. The portions are large and the menu is pretty varied, Bosnian dishes of all kinds can be ordered and enjoyed here for a very reasonable price.
Takenoko Japanese Restaurant
(Hvarska Ulica 2)
Takenoko is a new addition to Dubrovnik's international food scene, and one of the first restaurants to breathe some new life into this part of Dubrovnik. Located just outside the walls and Ploce gate, with a spectacular view onto the old harbour (stara luka) and the red roofs of the Old City, Takenoko is a great place to unwind and enjoy a good meal. Takenoko attracts custom from far and wide, with many thankful Japanese tourists stumbling upon this great find to give them a taste of home. With a very impressive 5 star rating on Trip Advisor, and serving everything from sushi to Japanese ice cream, Takenoko is a must try while in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is a hub of life and very much in tune to its visitors and their needs, with visitors pouring into the city from all over the world, more international restaurants are popping up all the time - and as I mentioned previously - more and more people are ditching meat and dairy for vegetables and fruit and the city is slowly waking up to the idea that not everyone wants (or can even digest, in the case of sufferers of Coeliac disease!) pasta and cheese. If you're a vegetarian, a vegan, lactose intolerant, a dairy dodger or you have a medical condition that limits your eating habits, try one of these restaurants. You won't be disappointed! Dobar tek!
