Kotor’s restaurant scene is heavily seafood and meat-focused - Njeguški prosciutto, grilled fish, and lamb appear on almost every menu. That said, a small number of establishments have added explicitly vegan options, and traditional dishes like grilled vegetables and bean dishes can usually be adapted. All prices in euros (€).
The key phrase: “bez mesa, bez sira, bez jaja, bez mlijeka” (without meat, cheese, eggs, milk).
Best vegan options in Kotor
Taraca Restaurant - best overall vegan option
The most explicitly vegan-friendly restaurant in Kotor as of 2026. Taraca offers vegan ćevapi and a vegan burger alongside the standard Montenegrin menu. Staff are familiar with vegan requests; items are labelled on the menu rather than requiring negotiation.
- Vegan ćevapi: approx. €12
- Vegan burger: approx. €10–12
- Best for: A sit-down meal with clearly labelled vegan choices - the most reliable option in the old town
Modern cafés and café-bars (lighter options)
A handful of modern café-bars inside the Kotor walls carry plant-based milk, can adapt salads and sandwiches, and sometimes offer grain bowls or hummus plates on request. Worth asking; the quality varies significantly.
- Typical price: €6–12 for a light meal
Traditional dishes you can adapt
| Dish | How to order vegan |
|---|---|
| Blitva (Swiss chard with olive oil) | Almost always vegan - confirm no butter |
| Grilled vegetables | Ask for a mixed vegetable plate “bez mesa” |
| Pasulj (bean soup) | Request “bez mesa, bez slanine” (no meat, no bacon) |
| Shopska salad | Order “bez sira” to remove the feta |
| Priganice (fried dough) | Often vegan; confirm no dairy in the batter |
| Ajvar (roasted pepper relish) | Typically vegan - confirm no dairy |
Useful phrases
| Montenegrin | English |
|---|---|
| Bez mesa | Without meat |
| Bez sira | Without cheese |
| Bez jaja | Without eggs |
| Bez mlijeka | Without milk |
| Da li imate veganske opcije? | Do you have vegan options? |
| Da li je ovo vegansko? | Is this vegan? |
Vegan food prices in Kotor (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vegan ćevapi at Taraca | approx. €12 |
| Adapted grilled vegetable plate | €9–14 |
| Shopska salad without cheese | €6–9 |
| Coffee with plant-based milk | €3–4 |
| Priganice (if vegan-battered) | €3–5 |
Grocery shopping for vegans in Kotor
If you are self-catering from an apartment in or near Kotor, the Voli supermarket in the new part of town (outside the old walls, 10-minute walk from the Sea Gate) stocks plant-based milk alternatives (oat and soy), hummus, and packaged vegan-friendly items. The Idea supermarket chain also has branches in the Kotor area with a reasonable dry goods and produce selection.
The local green market near the old town sells seasonal vegetables, olives, and local cheese by weight - the produce section is entirely plant-based and prices are lower than supermarkets.
Day trips and nearby vegan options
Budva (30 minutes)
If vegan eating is a priority for your trip, Budva has a noticeably wider selection - Paradise Food is a dedicated plant-based restaurant with a full menu. Worth considering as a day trip if vegan variety matters to you.
Herceg Novi (45 minutes)
Herceg Novi’s café culture means more modern cafés with plant-milk options and lighter menu items that are easier to adapt.
Practical tips
- Taraca is the go-to - the only restaurant in Kotor with clearly labelled vegan options as of 2026
- Ask specifically at konobas - “Da li možete bez mesa?” (Can you do it without meat?) works at most traditional restaurants for bean dishes and vegetable sides
- Fish is not vegan - some staff will confirm something is “vegetarian” meaning no red meat but including fish; clarify explicitly
- Blitva is your friend - Swiss chard with olive oil and garlic is a standard side dish at virtually every konoba and is reliably vegan; confirm no butter
- Shopska salad adaptation - order the tomato and cucumber version “bez sira” to remove the white cheese; it becomes a reliable starter
- Coffee: Several old town café-bars can do oat milk coffee on request - stock is inconsistent but improving
Plan your trip: Browse guided tours of Kotor to find food tours and local experiences. Sort travel insurance before you go.