Are you looking for the best restaurants in Mostar? Then you've come to the right place! I've been eating my way through Bosnia and Herzegovina for the past five years, and when there is something that makes me come back to a place again and again, it's the food it has to offer!
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Mostar isn't necessarily where you go to eat cevapi when you visit Bosnia and Herzegovina. There, I said it. But it took me a few visits after I first came in 2017 to really fall in love with both, the city and the food.
The thing with Mostar is: Everyone is raving about it but few are staying long enough to really dive in deep. By now, I've seen the city in all season – all shops half-closed in January or bustling with tourists and boiling hot in August.
And in each season, the food is now something I look forward too when it comes to food in Mostar. Hercegovačka Tava in winter, fresh pomegranates and figs in summer. My husband Nermin always loves to get fresh trout when we're in Mostar and surroundings. And then of course, some dishes are different here: Flat uštipci instead of round, fluffy ones in Sarajevo, and mezze (those starter plates everyone loves) with fresh olives, and dried figs that grow on every corner. And then there's the wine, of course.
But before we dig into this article, here's a quick word of advice: Do not go to the restaurants directly by the old bridge (except the ones I mention here) because in the past years, the quality in those has severely declined or turned into proper tourist traps. And you want to treat yourself to a proper Bosnian meal – you deserve it!
So, bear with me as we dive into the best restaurants in Mostar – for your tastiest to-do list.
Short on time? Here's your quick guide for the best restaurants in Mostar
Must Eat | If you only remember three things from this list, make them wine, smokvara, and freshly caught trout. If ćevapi is what you're craving, save it for Sarajevo. Mostar does it differently, and better, with other things.
😴 Where to stay | Mostar is small enough that location barely matters (except for when you need parking), so it really comes down to what kind of trip you want. I usually stay central — Hotel Kriva Čuprija is my go-to, and they also happen to do the best breakfast in town. But if you'd rather wake up surrounded by nature, Hotel Emporia or Hotel Buna are both lovely, and both have restaurants worth eating at even if you're not staying there.
🤩 Something Special | If you want to go deeper than just picking restaurants off a list, treat yourself to a Mostar burek making class Just give it a try yourself. I can tell you from experience that homemade pita usually ends up pretty full of holes—but it tastes twice as good.
🤔 Do Yourself a Favor | One small thing that makes any trip here easier: skip the hassle of a local SIM and the roaming fees, and grab an e-SIM from Lyntelbefore you land. You'll be online the second you arrive, which takes the stress out of the first day.
The best restaurants for traditional Bosnian food
Hindin Han
Yes, this restaurant is located right in the UNESCO-protected old town. But it doesn't have an old-bridge-view and is just far enough off the well-treaded tourist paths that you can still find delicious traditional dishes to acceptable prices.
With our travel agency .Cheyf, we recommend this restaurant to our guests who want to have dinner closer to the old town or are traveling in a bigger group. We like getting the trout or a grilled meat platter to share. Another great place for Neretva River Trout ist Blagaj where you can eat freshly caught fish with a few of the famous Dervish Tekija.
The restaurant also has a lovely outdoor area, but it can get crowded, especially in the summer months. So if you are a larger group, I would recommend making a reservation - you can also do this on the day itself, just pop in and book.
Podrum
This restaurant is always a hit - especially if you're hungry for fresh trout. It's always freshly caught here and is served with potatoes and blitva, a type of chard. Or if you want to eat dolma, stuffed vegetables, and another traditional Bosnian food, this is the place to go too. Here in Herzegovina, you will mostly find Japrak which is swiss chard filled with meat and rice.
For those with a sweet tooth Podrum is also perfect – they make a mean chocolate walnut cake there. Moist and fluffy, it's best soaked in a shot of walnut liqueur (Orahovača) for an extra kick.
Restoran Neretva
This restaurant sits right at the border of the old town in a quiet side street. The absolute top seller for me: The beautiful garden with platane trees. Especially in the summer when it can get scorching hot in Mostar, you sit in natural shade here. The salads and grilled chicken are our go-to in Restoran Neretva. Oh, and the pancakes for dessert, if you're looking for something sweet!
Romanca
The name says it all. This place is one of the most romantic places to eat in Mostar, nestled into the vineyards just outside Mostar. We come here in the summer because it's beautiful to sit outside in their garden with the fountain and a view of the vines. But the large dining room with the fireplace is cosy in winter, too. Romanca has plenty of space, so you don't need to make a reservation for a small group - it can only get full at the weekend.
We normally get the Herzegovačka Tava which is kind of the Hercegovinian version of Bosanski lonac (if it's not exactly 40 degrees) or some other typical Bosnian dish, such as schnitzel (phenomenally good – I rate it as good as in Vienna!). The selection of Bosnian wines is great, too.
Pekara Lučki Most
We come here when we just want a quick snack or need provisions for the journey home to Sarajevo. Lučki Most offers the typical pastries of every Bosnian bakery, but has particularly delicious sirnica - pita with cheese. They still taste good cold and are therefore the perfect snack to take with you.
Timber & Stone Tavern
This restaurant has recently opened and is on my to-try list: In the Timber & Stone Tavern Timber & Stone tavern, traditional Bosnian dishes are served in a medieval ambience - even on the antique crockery that was used in the past whcih makes for an extra special dining experience. Portraits of the old Bosnian kings hang on the walls and the stone walls of the old city of Mostar give the dining room a very special charm. I am excited to try it soon!
If you want to delve even deeper into Herzegovinian cuisine, then I can only warmly recommend a burek making class. You find the best one here in Mostar. After that, you're basically Bosnian.
Best Mostar restaurants for international dishes
Restoran Megi
This place it outside of the old town of Mostar in the Western part of the city which I also sometimes call the "real Mostar" because well, it's where people actually live. The pasta and salads are great, we come here when we don't feel like eating Bosnian food (or honestly, when we just needs to vitamins!)
Craft Beer Garden imaimože
Every time I got to imaimože imaimože , I get to try a new type of beer, whether it's a special IPA or Russian stout. The bartenders here are always happy to advise you and help you choose a beer to suit your taste. And if you don't like beer, don't worry: they also serve local Herzegovinian wine from my favourite winery, Marijanović.
imaimože is also one of the places in Mostar where you can find good vegetarian dishes - which can sometimes be a little more challenging in meat-loving Bosnia.
Von Herzog
No visit to Mostar is complete without a trip to Von Herzog for me. Because honestly, these are the best burgers I've ever eaten! The guys behind this cool steampunk shop started out with a barbecue in their garden and at street food festivals.
Fortunately, their friends encouraged them to open a shop and now Von Herzog serves fantastic burgers with unusual toppings, for example kimchi. What I also like about the shop is that the range is very seasonal and not every burger is available at every time of year. They have vegetarian options too, by now, so if you're veggies, this is a great place to go.
They don't take reservations, but if you're only two or four people, there's a good chance you'll get a table for dinner. And if necessary, you can always order the burger to go.
Emporia Royal & Imperial Vineyards
This is where we come when we want to treat ourselves: truly excellent mezze, homemade pasta, and, of course, wine straight from the vineyard. Emporia isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s definitely worth it—whether you’re staying the night, having just a glass of wine, doing a wine tasting, or enjoying a fancy dinner. For me, the food here is truly top-notch—especially the ravioli and gnocchi.
Eating out in Mostar: Local tips
Tipping | Tipping is not necessarily expected in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it is of course very appreciated. 10% to 15% is an okay amount for a dinner. For smaller amounts, you can simply round up.
Sharing dishes | In a larger group or at a business dinner, your Bosnian companions will often order several local dishes so that you can try everything. Be prepared for a starter such as pita or burek to be followed by a meat platter. Prijatno is what you'll hear often when eating out. It roughly translates as Enjoy (your meal).
Best cafés and sweets shops in Mostar
Lokma House
Whenever I have a craving for something sweet in Mostar, I come here. Lokma are yeast dough balls with cinnamon that are deep-fried and then soaked in various sauces and served with chocolate or fruit or both. But believe me: order a portion to share, it's easily enough for two. Lokma House If you don't fancy fried food, Lokma House also serves fresh pancakes with a variety of sauces and fruit.
Aldi Slastičarna
Half the interior here still looks like it did in the 80s, and to me, that's kind of half the charm. You can try Bosnian desserts like Hurmasice here or get a nice slice of cake. Of course, always with a cup of coffee. I generally don't have a huge sweet tooth but I am putting that place here because I really liked their cakes.
Mostar Travel Tips
Before I send you off with this list, a few things that will make your time in Mostar a little smoother – especially if this is your first visit.
Where to Stay in Mostar
Mostar is small enough that you can walk almost everywhere, so location matters less than you might think – unless you're arriving by car, in which case parking in the old town area is a genuine headache in summer. I usually stay central: Hotel Kriva ČuprijaHotel Kriva Čuprija is my go-to for its location and breakfast. If you prefer something quieter or more surrounded by nature, Hotel Emporia and Hotel Bunaare both lovely options just outside the city, and both have restaurants worth visiting even if you're not a guest.
Best time to visit Mostar
Mostar is really hot in July and August—38 to 40 degrees Celsius. The city’s cobblestones literally soak up the heat and give it off even at night, and there’s hardly any shade except in restaurant patios. On top of that, there are crowds of visitors.
If you have any flexibility, May, June, or September are the sweet spot: warm enough to enjoy the outdoor terraces and the Neretva, but without the full tourist wave. That said, Mostar rewards you in every season – I’ve loved it in January too, when the old town is almost entirely yours.
Day Trips from Mostar
Mostar is an ideal base for exploring the region—and to be honest, some of my favorite experiences in Herzegovina are right on my doorstep. Blagaj, with its famous dervish monastery , is just 12 kilometers away. The Kravica Waterfalls are about a 40-minute drive—best visited early in the morning before the day-trippers from Dubrovnik arrive. It’s also about a 30- to 40-minute drive to Stolac, a small town that truly lies at the crossroads of civilizations —Roman, Illyrian, medieval, and Ottoman heritage all come together here.
And if you haven’t been to Sarajevo yet, it’s two and a half hours by car – very doable as a longer day trip or better yet, as the next stop on your itinerary.
Which of Mostar's best restaurants will you visit first?
Although my favourite in Herzegovina is the fresh fruit and vegetables, you'll find plenty of dishes worth trying here. Whether you're looking for something sweet or savoury, a snack or a full meal, you can't go wrong with these restaurants in Mostar. If you're looking for things to do in Mostar, you can find my 3-day itinerary here.
