Montenegro may be small, but its food and drink scene packs in an extraordinary amount of flavour. Along the Adriatic coast, centuries of Venetian and Mediterranean influence can be tasted in fresh seafood, olive oil and risottos, while inland, Balkan, pastoral and Ottoman influences bring heartier dishes, mountain cheeses and cured meats to the table.
Now shortlisted for Destination of the Year: Short Haul at the Food and Travel Reader Awards 2026, Montenegro’s culinary credentials are firmly in the spotlight. With voting underway ahead of the winners being announced on 23 November 2026, here are five experiences giving food lovers a reason to visit.
Dive into Wine Beneath the Adriatic
Montenegro has a rich winemaking tradition, with vineyards and wineries found across its central region and along the Adriatic coast. One of its most unusual wine experiences can be found on the Bay of Kotor, where bottles are aged around 20 metres beneath the Adriatic. The darkness, constant temperature and gentle movement of the sea create distinctive conditions for maturation, offering visitors a unique way to discover Montenegro’s growing wine scene.
Taste the Adriatic with a Bowl of Buzara
Along Montenegro’s coast, some of the best meals are also the simplest. Buzara, a quintessential Adriatic speciality, sees mussels or other shellfish cooked with ingredients such as white wine, garlic and olive oil, creating a flavour-packed broth made for mopping up with fresh bread. Travellers can find it at waterfront restaurants and traditional konobas around the Bay of Kotor and beyond, alongside black risotto, grilled fish and the catch of the day. Served within sight of the Adriatic, it’s a delicious introduction to Montenegro’s Mediterranean side.
Follow the Wine Roads Around Lake Skadar
Head inland to Lake Skadar, where vineyards, family-run wineries and traditional cellars offer a taste of Montenegro’s centuries-old winemaking heritage. Visitors can follow local wine routes and stop for tastings of Vranac, the country’s signature full-bodied red, and Krstač, an indigenous white grape producing fresh, crisp wines. Around Virpazar and the wider Crmnica wine region, small producers offer intimate tastings, often accompanied by homemade cheeses, cured meats and other regional specialities. It’s a chance to meet the people behind the bottle while discovering one of Montenegro’s most beautiful landscapes.
Feast Your Way Through Njeguši
The mountain village of Njeguši is synonymous with some of Montenegro’s best-loved flavours. Its star is Njeguški pršut, a traditional dry-cured ham typically served alongside Njeguški cheese, fresh bread and other local produce. Venture further into the highlands and menus become heartier still, with comforting kačamak and cicvara, alongside priganice, pieces of fried dough often served with honey, cheese or jam. Together, they offer a taste of a culinary culture shaped as much by Montenegro’s mountains as its Mediterranean coast.
Follow the Shepherds’ Trails
For travellers who like to earn their lunch, the Peaks of the Balkans Trail combines traditional food with some of the region’s most dramatic hiking. Following historic shepherd paths through Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo, the trail passes remote mountain communities where pastoral traditions remain part of everyday life. Along its Montenegrin stretches, traditional katuns offer a glimpse into highland culture, with opportunities to refuel on homemade cheeses, kajmak, fresh bread and hearty local dishes. It’s an immersive way to experience Montenegro through its landscapes, people and food – far removed from the resorts of the Adriatic coast.
