Mostar’s restaurant scene divides between no-frills ćevapi joints and Old Town sit-down restaurants serving traditional Bosnian and Herzegovinian dishes. The best addresses are close to Stari Most - some offer views, others atmosphere, and a handful offer both. A main dish at a sit-down restaurant: 12–22 BAM (≈6–11 €). Ćevapi with bread: 6–9 BAM.
Old Town Classics and Ćevapi Spots
Ćevabdžinica Tima-Irma - the ćevapi king
Very close to Stari Most in the Old Town. One of the best-reviewed ćevapi spots in Mostar - authentic, no-frills, consistently praised for quality.
- What to order: 10 ćevapi in flatbread with onions and kajmak; add fries
- Price: Ćevapi + bread 6–9 BAM (≈3–4.5 €); combo with fries 8–12 BAM
- Best for: Cheap, authentic Bosnian food right by the Old Bridge
Restoran Lagero - Old Town favourite with views
Near the Old Town and Neretva. Popular local and tourist choice with high Tripadvisor scores (often 4.7+/5). Strong on traditional dishes: ćevapi, dolma, sogan dolma, japrak, and Herzegovina-style stews.
- Price: Main 12–20 BAM (≈6–10 €); shared platter 30–50 BAM
- Best for: A classic mid-range Bosnian dinner in the Old Town
Food House Mostar - traditional with vegetarian options
Close to Stari Most, with a strong focus on traditional Bosnian and Herzegovinian dishes. Staff can adapt many dishes for vegetarian and vegan diners. Known for japrak, dolma, sogan dolma, and mixed-meat plates.
- Price: Main 12–18 BAM (≈6–9 €); larger plate 30–45 BAM
- Best for: Traditional flavours with flexible adaptations for non-meat eaters
Ottoman-Style and Heritage Restaurants
Restaurant Šadrvan - Ottoman ambiance
Historic Ottoman-style restaurant with a courtyard near Stari Most. Frequently recommended for romantic dinners or special occasions. Excellent baklava.
- What to order: Dolma, burek, stews, mixed grilled meats, baklava
- Price: Main 14–22 BAM (≈7–11 €); shared plates 40–60 BAM
- Best for: Atmospheric Old Town dinner with a courtyard setting
Hindin Han - photogenic with panoramic views
High above the city on the main road connecting the bus/train station with the Old Town. Family-run terrace restaurant with fantastic panoramic views over the Neretva and Stari Most. One of Mostar’s top sunset dining spots.
- What to order: Bosnian classics and Herzegovina stews; mixed-grill plates
- Price: Main 15–22 BAM (≈7.5–11 €)
- Best for: Sunset dinners with a view; special-occasion meals
Aščinica Balkan II - traditional Bosnian platters
In the Old Town area, focusing on classic Bosnian dishes and slow-cooked stews. No-frills traditional sit-down.
- What to order: Bosanski lonac, stuffed vegetables, japrak, mixed-grill platters
- Price: Main 12–20 BAM (≈6–10 €)
Cafés with Views
Café de Alma - Old Town riverfront
Along the Neretva riverbank, near the Old Town core. Popular with locals and visitors for coffee, drinks, and light snacks. One of the consistently top-rated cafés in Mostar.
- Price: Coffee 2–4 BAM; small snack plate 4–6 BAM
- Best for: Coffee breaks, light work sessions, riverside drink with a Stari Most view
Stari Grad Cafe - bridge-diver viewing spot
Right by Stari Most, the best café for watching bridge divers and soaking up the Old Town atmosphere. Outdoor seating over the river.
- Price: Drink 2–5 BAM; snack 3–5 BAM
- Best for: Watching bridge divers, quick drinks between sightseeing
Modern and International Spots
Konoba Taurus - wood-fired pizza and Herzegovina spirit
Modern tavern with a wood-fired oven near the Old Town. Good for pizza, Herzegovina-style meat dishes, and group evenings.
- Price: Pizza or main 10–17 BAM (≈5–8.5 €)
- Best for: Casual modern dinner with pizza and local wine
Craft Beer Garden “Ima Može” - craft beer and grill
Craft-beer-focused bar-restaurant on the road from the bus/train station toward the Old Town. Popular with locals and expats.
- Price: Beer 3–5 BAM; food platter 12–18 BAM
- Best for: Beer-heavy night out, casual grill after sightseeing
Pablo’s / Restaurant Divan - more refined options
Old Town area, described as more “fancier” than typical ćevapi joints. Good for a romantic or special-occasion dinner.
- Best for: A polished evening when you want something beyond the standard grill
Budget Strategy
Pekara Lučki Most (near the Old Town) is the best budget stop: sirnica and other pastries from 2–4 BAM, coffee from 2–3 BAM. Kafane and roštilj spots outside the immediate Old Town serve ćevapi and pljeskavica for 6–14 BAM.
Price Overview
| Type | Main dish (BAM) | € |
|---|---|---|
| Ćevapi joint (Tima-Irma) | 6–9 BAM | 3–4.5 € |
| Mid-range Old Town (Lagero, Food House) | 12–20 BAM | 6–10 € |
| Upscale/view (Hindin Han, Šadrvan) | 14–22 BAM | 7–11 € |
| Café/snack stop (Café de Alma) | 3–6 BAM | 1.5–3 € |
Take a Guided Food Tour of Mostar
Mostar has one of the most atmospheric food tour settings in the Balkans — guided walks through Kujundžiluk Bazaar cover hand-rolled burek, traditional Herzegovinian sweets, and wine from the surrounding valleys. The best operators take small groups to ćevabdžinica specialists and riverside cafes that serve Bosnian coffee in džezva after the Old Bridge day-trip crowds have thinned. Evening departures consistently get the strongest reviews.
Browse food tours and guided experiences in Mostar
Getting to Mostar and timing your visit
The Old Town restaurant district sits within easy walking distance of the main bus station. From the bus station on Trg Ivana Krndelja, follow the main road south for approximately 20 minutes on foot, crossing the Neretva into the Old Town. A taxi from the bus station to Stari Most costs approximately 5 to 7 BAM and is the faster option if you are arriving with luggage.
From Sarajevo: Buses from Sarajevo East Bus Station (Autobusna Stanica Istocno Sarajevo) depart multiple times daily; journey time is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and tickets cost 15 to 20 BAM. Buy at the station counter on the day or book through Centrotrans. The first buses leave around 7am, which allows an early arrival before the main tourist crowd.
From Dubrovnik: Several operators including Atlas and FlixBus run a daily connection taking approximately 3 hours; tickets typically 25 to 35 BAM. Day trip packages from Dubrovnik to Mostar start from approximately 35 to 50 EUR per person including guide and transport, with tours typically arriving around 10am and returning mid-evening. Browse Mostar guided tours and food walks to compare packages.
Reservations and timing: Tima-Irma does not take reservations; arrive before 12pm or after 2pm to avoid the queue at the window. Lagero and Restaurant Sadrvan can both be contacted via WhatsApp for a same-day evening booking, which is advisable in July and August. Hindin Han above the city can be booked by phone.
Food walking tours: Local operators on GetYourGuide run 2 to 3 hour food tours through the Old Town, typically covering a cevapi stop at Tima-Irma, baklava at a traditional shop, Bosnian coffee at a kafana, and a glass of local Herzegovina wine. Prices run approximately 20 to 35 EUR per person and tours provide context on the 1990s war visible in the surrounding streets.
Plan your trip: Browse guided tours of Mostar - food tours and guided walks are a great way to get into the eating scene. Find hotels in Mostar. Sort travel insurance before you fly, and grab a Balkans eSIM for data when you land.