Proto

Proto is one of Dubrovnik's oldest restaurants, founded in 1886 and still trading on a side street just off Stradun in the heart of the Old Town. Its long run has made it a fixture for visitors who want a classic Adriatic seafood meal, and it appears in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Croatia as a fish and seafood restaurant.

The menu focuses on local catch. The Michelin inspectors recommend the sea bass, king prawns and charcoal-grilled octopus, served with organic vegetables from local kitchen gardens, and meat dishes are also available for those who do not eat fish. To finish, order rožata, Dubrovnik's traditional custard dessert in the style of crème caramel, which the Michelin inspectors recommend. The guide also notes an interesting wine list.

You can eat in three places: at tables on the narrow street outside, in the interior dining room, or on the first-floor terrace, which is the most pleasant spot and the one most diners request. The restaurant is family friendly and air conditioned, which helps on hot summer days, and credit cards are accepted. Prices are at the upper-middle end for the Old Town, reflecting the cost of fresh fish, so check the price of whole fish by weight before ordering.

Proto opens for lunch and dinner. Booking is a good idea for the upstairs terrace in summer and at weekends, when the restaurant is busy. Old Town restaurants often reduce hours in winter, so phone ahead before visiting between November and March.

Allow around two hours for a relaxed meal. Široka ulica leads off Stradun, so Proto works well after an afternoon on the walls. It is part of the Esculap restaurant group, which also runs other venues in the Old Town. Proto is a sensible choice for a first seafood meal in Dubrovnik if you want a traditional setting rather than a modern menu. Order a whole grilled fish to share with a side of local vegetables and a bottle of Croatian white, and ask the staff which fish came in that day. Lunch is usually calmer than dinner, and the street tables are pleasant once the afternoon heat has passed.