It’s impossible to imagine Montenegro without seafood. The country breathes the sea, and its gastronomy is inseparable from it. Along the Adriatic coast, dozens of restaurants await, each with its own character.
Some are gastronomic landmarks with white tablecloths, curated wine lists, their own private docks, and live music on summer nights. Others are family-owned institutions where recipes are passed down through generations. And then there are the places where the catch is cooked exactly as the fishermen brought it in that morning.
This guide brings together the most interesting and worthwhile seafood restaurants in Montenegro, where fish and shellfish appear in all their variations. Just don’t forget to book ahead: the best waterfront tables and most memorable dishes are quickly claimed.
The full list is below.
Ćatovića Mlini (Morinj, Bay of Kotor) — Family Restaurant in a Historic Mill
Address: E65, Morinj 85338
Phone: +382 68 333 444
Website: catovica-mlini.com
When you arrive in Morinj, a small village on the edge of the Bay of Kotor, it’s hard to guess that one of Montenegro’s most atmospheric restaurants hides here. Ćatovića Mlini is more than a place to eat fish—it’s a world built around an old watermill, lovingly preserved and transformed into a restaurant by its owners.
Two centuries ago, grain was ground here for the surrounding community. Today, the sound is of clinking glasses and unhurried conversations. The atmosphere is singular: a garden with a pond where peacocks and ducks wander freely, terraces overlooking the mountains, and ancient stone walls that still seem to whisper their history.
Through both the kitchen and his hospitality, owner Lazar Ćatović—a descendant of the miller family—keeps the memory of his ancestors alive. In the kitchen, chef Dejan Detki, one of the leading figures in Balkan cuisine, treats the menu like a seasonal journey: a creamy shrimp soup enriched with fish broth, octopus served over polenta, a whole sea bass baked in salt, and the signature Boka cake layered with almond, caramel, and maraschino.
Wines here are chosen from local vineyards, and this is exactly the place to order a crisp glass of white with your seafood platter. Expect to spend around $35–45 per person, which feels entirely justified for a restaurant of this caliber.
Insider tip: book ahead, especially in summer—and especially if you’re aiming for a table by the water at sunset.
Galion (Kotor) — Fine Dining with a Sea View
Address: Šuranj bb, 85330 Kotor
Phone: +382 67 263 420
Website: galion.me
An elegant seafood menu, a remarkable wine list, and a terrace with sweeping views of the Bay of Kotor—that’s what sets Galion apart. The restaurant sits right on the waterfront in a historic building by the old city walls, its terrace seeming to hover above the sea.
Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows, soft lighting, and spacious dining rooms create a setting that feels both refined and deeply connected to the sea. Chef Marko Radojič has earned a reputation for his precision with seafood: tuna tartare with mango and lime, oysters paired with champagne, scallops resting on a cloud of Parmesan cream, and octopus glazed in balsamic caramel.
Here you can order a tasting menu, and the wine list has been designed specifically to complement seafood. Prices run higher than average—around $50–70 per person—but Galion is less about saving money and more about creating lasting impressions.
Both tourists and locals love it: visitors come for romance and the view of the bay lit up at night, while locals trust the consistency. Our advice: reserve a terrace table overlooking the water. For a quieter experience, arrive after nine in the evening, when the first wave of guests has already left.
Ribarsko Selo (Sveti Stefan) — Fishermen’s Grilled Catch
Address: Sveti Stefan, Budva
Website: ribarskoselo.com
This isn’t a restaurant in the usual sense, but a cluster of fishermen’s cottages right on the shore. The atmosphere feels almost timeless—as if you’ve stepped back to an era when the daily catch was grilled on the beach.
In fact, the fishermen still arrive between 11 a.m. and noon each day, bringing in their fresh morning haul. The restaurant’s entire concept is built on honest, unfussy cooking: fish prepared as simply as possible, the way it has always been done here.
The setting is equally unpretentious and authentic. You sit at the water’s edge while your meal is cooked over the grill just a few steps away. Order the seafood platter with lemon and olive oil, or try the cod simmered in white wine with herbs. Either way, you’ll taste the Adriatic at its most straightforward and genuine.
Forza Mare (Kotor, Dobrota) — Elegant Dining with Its Own Yacht Pier
This is where fine dining meets nautical glamour. Forza Mare, part of a boutique hotel of the same name, welcomes guests who often arrive by yacht—the restaurant has its own private pier. The setting is refined yet intimate: white linen tables on terraces cascading toward the bay, with mountains mirrored in the water at sunset.
The menu balances Mediterranean flavors with contemporary presentation. Expect dishes like Adriatic lobster risotto, seabass with truffle sauce, and refined desserts plated like artworks. The wine list highlights Montenegro’s emerging winemakers alongside international classics, making pairings effortless.
Dinner here runs on the higher side—around $70–90 per person—but this is a place where the elegance of the setting, the precision of the cuisine, and the theatrical arrival by water make the price part of the experience.
Address: Dobrota bb, Kotor
Website: forzahotels.com
Forza Mare is the signature restaurant of the boutique hotel of the same name in Dobrota, just outside Kotor. But it long ago outgrew the label of “hotel restaurant”—today, it draws diners who come from across the bay, even if they’re not staying overnight.
Set directly on the water, it’s the kind of place where guests often arrive by boat, docking at the hotel’s private pier. The atmosphere is pure luxury: white tablecloths, carefully considered table settings, and impeccable service that matches the setting.
Few places capture the drama of the Bay of Kotor like Verige65. Set right on the narrowest point of the fjord-like bay, the restaurant feels as if it were suspended between mountains and sea. Its sleek, modern design—glass walls, open terraces, and a breezy interior—makes the view part of the dining experience.
The focus here is unmistakably on freshness. Oysters arrive daily from local farms and are served simply with lemon, though you can also pair them with sparkling wine or champagne from the carefully curated list. The menu extends to other seafood favorites—grilled calamari, Adriatic prawns, and sea bass done with olive oil and herbs—but the oysters remain the signature.
Expect to spend around $35–50 per person. The best time to come is late afternoon: order a dozen oysters, a chilled bottle of wine, and watch the sun sink into the bay. Reservations are recommended in high season, especially for the terrace tables that seem to float above the water.
Verige65 (Bay of Kotor, Kotor) — Fresh Oysters with a Bay View
Address: Verige 65, Kotor, Montenegro
Website: verige65.com
Unlike the traditional stone konobas of Montenegro, Verige65 feels strikingly modern. All glass and steel, it frames panoramic views of the Verige Strait through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Set at the narrowest point of the Bay of Kotor, the restaurant commands one of the most dramatic outlooks on the coast. From the terrace, the sea seems to stretch right beneath your feet, with the mountains rising almost vertically on the opposite shore. It’s less a dining room than a stage for the bay itself.
The atmosphere here feels distinctly European, while the kitchen blends Mediterranean and Montenegrin traditions with a clear focus on seafood. The chef works closely with local farms to ensure only the freshest ingredients appear on the menu.
Highlights include octopus tartare with basil and olive oil, oysters from nearby oyster farms, and tuna steak crusted with sesame—one of the house specialties. Fish is often prepared simply on the grill, while each dish is paired with carefully chosen wines, including standout Montenegrin varietals alongside celebrated European labels.
Expect to spend around $40–60 per person. For the most memorable experience, book a table at sunset, when the glass walls glow gold with the last light on the bay.
The average bill is about $45–60 per person. If you order a tasting set with oysters and champagne, the amount can be higher.
Life hack: come at sunset — the restaurant turns into one of the most photogenic spots in all of Kotor.
Restaurant Porat (Budva Riviera) — a family place by the shore with live music
Address: Bečićka plaža 56, Rafailovići, Montenegro
Phone: +382 67 028 279
Website: restaurantporat.com
One of the oldest establishments on the Budva Riviera, located right on Rafailovići Beach. It has been operating since the 1980s and over the decades has become a symbol of stability and quality on the coast.
The atmosphere is relaxed, with the sound of the surf outside and panoramic windows. The concept of the cuisine is built on a classic understanding of the Adriatic tradition: fresh fish and nothing superfluous.
Here you should try the “fish of the day” — the waiter will bring a tray with freshly caught sea bass, dorado, or dentex. The guest chooses how it will be prepared: grilled with lemon, baked in salt, or stewed in wine.
Other highlights include mussels steamed in white wine and parsley sauce, grilled calamari, and seafood risotto, which is considered one of the best in the region. In the evenings, there is live music — piano or saxophone.
15 Best Seafood & Fish Restaurants in Montenegro
1. Ćatovića Mlini — Family Restaurant in a Historic Mill
- Place: Morinj, Bay of Kotor
- Why Best: A 200-year-old mill transformed into an atmospheric restaurant with peacocks in the garden, stone walls, and refined seafood dishes like shrimp soup, octopus with polenta, and sea bass baked in salt.
- City: Morinj
2. Galion — Fine Dining with a Sea View
- Place: Šuranj bb, Kotor
- Why Best: Upscale seafood dining on a terrace hanging over the bay. Chef Marko Radojič is known for inventive dishes such as tuna tartare with mango, scallops with Parmesan cream, and balsamic-glazed octopus.
- City: Kotor
3. Ribarsko Selo — Fishermen’s Grilled Catch
- Place: Sveti Stefan, Budva Riviera
- Why Best: Authentic fishermen’s cottages serving the daily catch straight from local boats. Simple, honest cooking with seafood platters, cod in white wine, and grilled fish.
- City: Sveti Stefan
4. Forza Mare — Elegant Dining with Yacht Pier
- Place: Dobrota, Kotor
- Why Best: Part of a luxury boutique hotel with its own pier. Mediterranean dishes like tuna tartare, sea bream in foil, and homemade bread. Known for refined presentation and live music at sunset.
- City: Dobrota (near Kotor)
5. Verige65 — Fresh Oysters with Bay Views
- Place: Verige 65, Kotor
- Why Best: Modern glass-and-steel restaurant at the narrowest point of the Bay of Kotor. Signature oysters from local farms, octopus tartare, and tuna steak with sesame, paired with Montenegrin wines.
- City: Kotor
6. Restaurant Porat — Family Spot with Live Music
- Place: Bečićka plaža 56, Rafailovići
- Why Best: A Budva Riviera classic since the 1980s. Known for its “fish of the day,” mussels in white wine, seafood risotto, and live piano or saxophone evenings.
- City: Rafailovići (Budva Riviera)
7. Konoba Bocun
- Place: Budva
- Why Best: Highly rated (4.8/5), offering traditional Montenegrin seafood at affordable prices (€10–15). Cozy, family-friendly atmosphere.
- City: Budva
8. Jadran
- Place: Budva
- Why Best: A Budva staple for decades, known for hearty seafood portions and a lively, casual setting right by the water. Great for families and groups.
- City: Budva
9. Konoba More
- Place: Pržno
- Why Best: Classic Adriatic seafood restaurant with rustic charm. Fresh fish and grilled specialties, popular with both locals and tourists.
- City: Pržno (near Budva)
10. Atlantic
- Place: Bečići
- Why Best: Affordable seafood (10–20 €), praised for freshness and generous portions. Known for grilled squid and fish.
- City: Bečići (Budva Riviera)
11. Konoba Bedem
- Place: Stari Bar
- Why Best: Traditional stone konoba with authentic Adriatic flavors. Known for rustic charm and seafood prepared the old-fashioned way.
- City: Stari Bar
12. Konoba Demizana
- Place: Budva
- Why Best: Seafood-focused konoba with a loyal following. Popular for grilled fish and mussels in white wine.
- City: Budva
13. Il Pescatore (Porto Montenegro)
- Place: Obala bb, Porto Montenegro
- Why Best: Stylish seafood restaurant in the luxury Porto Montenegro marina. Famous for oysters, fine wines, and a chic setting.
- City: Tivat
14. Konoba Portun
- Place: Dobrota
- Why Best: Family-run gem in Dobrota with high ratings (4.7/5). Authentic Montenegrin seafood with generous hospitality.
- City: Dobrota (Kotor area)
15. Restoran – Uzgajalište Ostriga
City
Place: Kotor
Why Best: Oyster farm restaurant offering the freshest oysters straight from the bay, paired with local wine. Rustic, authentic, and unforgettable.
Check out our favorite seafood places in Copenhagen.
