In popular Dubrovnik, restaurant prices tend to be higher than in many other cities in Croatia. But those willing to spend a little more can enjoy meals of international quality — Dubrovnik just earned its first Michelin star — in wonderfully atmospheric settings. The seafood is especially delicious.

In addition to the restaurants below, I also very much enjoyed our dinners at Villa Dubrovnik’s Italian-Mediterranean Restaurant Pjerin and Villa Orsula's Peruvian-Adriatic Victoria Restaurant & Lounge Bar. Both have patios with sublime views of the sea and old Dubrovnik.

Nautika Restaurant

Formal Nautika may be old news, having opened in 2002, but it should still be on the list for any gourmand visiting the city. The interior of the mansion-like restaurant is pretty, and its terrace has unforgettable views of the rocky cove between the Bokar bastion and the Lovrijenac fortress. My reservation guaranteed me an ideal table on the terrace’s edge, one of the most romantic spots in the entire city. Rather than the culinary fireworks of Restaurant 360° (below), Nautika serves more-classic dishes that are simply exquisite. I relished a course of flawless prawns atop rich polenta with goat cheese cream and almond flakes; superb veal tenderloin with Malvasija wine sauce, truffle jus and minted pea mousse; and a dessert of mille-feuille with orange-mascarpone cream and Prošek (sweet wine) gelée. Gracious sommelier Vinko Fornažar masterfully paired local wines with each dish. Some pooh-pooh Nautika as being old-fashioned and overpriced, but I loved every minute of my meal.