You don’t need to be a culinary wizard to appreciate the delicious tastes of Dubrovnik, but a little bit of expertise goes a long way. As the author of the excellent cookbook Dubrovački komini, Jadranka Ničetić knows a thing or three about good food and drink. Dubrovački komini is more than just a cookbook, being a document of history and culture too, and we spoke to Jadranka about her top tips for Dubrovnik and its surroundings.
DIYP: Where is your favourite place to drink coffee or go out at night?
Jadranka: Be sure to go for a coffee at the pastry shop Pupica (Cvijete Zuzorić Street) where you can taste homemade cakes and cookies in a beautiful setting. At Hotel More (Lapad), along the coast, there is a natural cave below the hotel where the Cave Bar More is located. In the evening, you can taste local high-quality wines at the Wine Bar Matuško (Prijeko). In the Ploče area, the restaurant Gusta Me has a beautiful view overlooking the harbor. Along with the friendly staff, you will certainly be satisfied with the delicious food and pleasant music. If you are younger and want to have fun, every evening at Culture Club Revelin is very lively. Lovers of classical music during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival can listen to many concerts.
DIYP: Where is your favourite place to relax in Dubrovnik?
Jadranka: The Island of Lokrum with it’s rich history and interesting legend is the ideal place to relax your body and soul. After only a 15 minute ride, you can enjoy the natural beauty, quiet, blue sea and the company of nice people. A walk through the rich botanical garden or to the fortress at the top of the island, cycling, swimming or relaxing at the coffee shop Lacroma where you can listen to the gentle sounds of the guitar, surrounded by a multitude of peacocks, which freely roam the island will make your day unforgettable. You will surely want to return to this magical island.
DIYP: What is the best way to discover the city? Which activities do you recommend?
Jadranka: Early in the morning before the tourists take up every space in the city, go to Stradun and watch how the city wakes up. You will witness countless magical sounds, swift birds which fly over the city, ringing of the church bells, people greeting each other, shadows playing on the stone floors. In Gruž, be sure to visit the market which offers ecologically grown fruits from the Dubrovnik region. Also, if you have the opportunity, watch a Wild League waterpolo match.
DIYP: Where is the most ideal place to shop? What do you recommend as a souvenir from Dubrovnik?
Jadranka: That is certainly the bookstore Algebra on Stradun where you can buy the cookbook Traditional Taste of Dubrovnik so that in your home you can prepare some traditional dishes from Dubrovnik and in that way remember the beautiful moments that you experienced in Dubrovnik. Shop at Vurubus Unitus on Od Puča street where you can find traditional products from Croatia and Dubrovnik, as well as at the Dubrovnik House where they offer traditional sweets, such as candied orange peels (arancini). At AR Atelier (Nalješkovićeva Street) you can find paintings, ceramics and decorated products with traditional Konavle embroidery.
DIYP: Which of the local specialties do you recommend as a "must-try" for visitors?
Jadranka: Of the many traditional dishes from Dubrovnik, I would recommend šporki makaruli (pasta and meat dish), zelena menestra (cabbage and smoked meat) from cake, Rožata and Ston Cake made with macaroni.
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