When I tell you I was standing on the sidewalk desperately searching “cheap eats Dubrovnik”, I mean it. I scoured Reddit, pulled up a bunch of blog posts that—per usual—didn’t actually list any truly budget friendly restaurants, and I was still feeling lost.
Everything I found was either way out by the cruise ship port (Gruž), in Lapad, or just grab and go takeaway. But I wanted a real sit down meal, a place to watch the world go by and sip a glass of wine. Since we were staying in Pile, right outside Old Town Dubrovnik, I was hoping for something close. I didn’t want to take a bus to find a budget meal on the other side of town.
If you’re feeling the same way, don’t worry. After that experience, I knew I had to add Dubrovnik to my cheap eats series. So I’ve rounded up all the best cheap eats Dubrovnik has to offer in one spot, from bakeries and grab-and-go sandwiches to sit down restaurants just steps from the Old Town walls.
📍 Quick Picks: Best Cheap Eats Dubrovnik
Short on time? Here are a few of my top budget friendly spots in or near Old Town:
- 🥪 Sandwich Bar Pile – Great place to grab sandwiches on the go
- 🍕 Pizzeria Tomato – Cheapest sit down pizza and wine
- 🥐 Pekarnica Pile – Pastries, sandwiches, etc. for just a couple euros. Great for breakfast.
- 🍔 Preša – Local fast food, not many tables just a few outside and a few inside, but one of the best spots for good prices inside the walls.
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Tips for Finding Cheap Eats in Dubrovnik
Here are some tips to help you save money while eating your way through Dubrovnik.
- Avoid Tourist Traps: Restaurants right in the heart of tourist areas often have higher prices. Explore side streets and less busy areas for more affordable options.
- Check Menus Beforehand: Many restaurants display their menus outside. Take a moment to check the prices before you sit down to avoid surprises.
- Drink Tap Water: Tap water is safe to drink in Dubrovnik, so save money by asking for tap water instead of bottled water.
- Grab sandwiches or wraps: from the “grab and go” places and enjoy them sitting down by the water. We enjoyed bringing our takeaway to places like West Harbour and Beach Šulić.
Budget Friendly Grab-and-Go in Dubrovnik
These grab-and-go spots are some of the best cheap eats Dubrovnik has to offer when you need something quick and delicious without the sit down prices.
- Sandwich Bar Pile – A local favorite just outside Pile Gate. Tasty, filling sandwiches for €4-9.
- Yes Yes – Focaccia Sandwich Bar – Yummy sandwiches between €6-8 for a small or €10-14 for large. Just outside the Ploce gate.
Affordable Sit-Down Meals in Dubrovnik
If you’re after cheap eats in Dubrovnik that still let you sit down and relax, these restaurants are your best bet near Old Town.
- Pizzeria Tomato – Just outside Pile Gate. We had pizza, salad, and wine here for €32 total for both of us. This is my top pick for a cheap sit-down right next to Old Town. Despite some of the Google reviews saying otherwise, our service was great!
- Preša – A Dubrovnik classic for fast food. Sandwiches, wraps, and good prices. Limited seating inside and in alley. In Old Town.
Quick Eats & Fast Food Style
- Burger Bar Jojo – Simple burger joint with fast service. Great prices, a solid budget option. They do have 2 bar tables but this is more like takeaway. Just up the street outside Pile Gate.
- TuttoBene Pizzeria & Fast Food – Casual fast food & takeaway. There are only about 4 tables inside. In Old Town.
- Vege Dub – Vegetarian fast food. Wraps and warm meals under €15. They have some indoor and outdoor seating. In Old Town.
- Fast Food Queen (Lapad) – The only one on this list in Lapad. Worth it if you’re in that area, quick and affordable. Limited seating.
- Coffee & Fast Food Yummmi – Yummy food, great portions. Casual spot with sandwiches, burgers, etc.
Bakeries & Burek
- Pekarnica Pile – Classic bakery right by Pile Gate. Burek, croissants, pastries and sandwiches from just €1–5. Great for breakfast or grab & go lunch.
Cheap Eats Dubrovnik Map
Save at Grocery Stores
When traveling on a budget, grocery stores are a great way to bring down your food costs average by buying pre-made things. However, in Dubrovnik, my experience was mixed. Some of the bigger grocery stores had sandwiches and other convenient meals. For example, we found that this Konzum had pre-made sandwiches but the smaller Konzum and other small convenience grocery stores did not have easy ready to eat pre-made options.
Tips for Grocery Store Meals in Dubrovnik:
- Visit Larger Stores: Head to bigger locations of Konzum or Pemo for the best selection of pre-made items.
- Assemble Your Own: Can’t find pre-made food? Grab a loaf of bread, cheese, fruit, or deli meats and make your own picnic-style lunch.
- Check Opening Hours: Many stores close early, especially on Sundays, and some don’t open at all—so stock up ahead of time.
Finding budget friendly dining in Dubrovnik, especially near Old Town, can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Whether you’re in the mood for a sit-down meal or a quick bite, these recommendations should help you enjoy Dubrovnik without feeling like you’re overspending.
🏨 Budget Stays Dubrovnik
Looking for more ways to save?
Accommodation is often the biggest chunk of your travel budget—but it doesn’t have to go crazy. if you haven’t already booked a place, I’ve done what I do best and gathered some of my top picks to save you the time (and headache) of sorting through it all.
💡 Budget Picks
These spots offer excellent value. Many are under €100 per night outside of peak summer—and they get consistently great reviews.
- Rooms Batina – Quiet guesthouse with a welcoming vibe and a 20-minute walk to Old Town.
- Studio Amy – Cozy studio apartment with a kitchenette—perfect for travelers who want to prep some meals.
- Villa Kate Dadic – Clean and scenic with excellent off-season rates.
- Apartment & Room Lukre – Super close to Pile Gate and consistently well-rated for location.
- Rustico – Rustic charm, modern amenities, and off-season deals that are hard to beat.
💶 The Cheapest
These are the lowest-priced options that still have great reviews. They’re no-frills, but they’ll leave room in your budget for everything else.
- Hostel Dubrovnik Budget Accommodation – Simple, no-frills hostel about 15 minutes from Old Town. Great if you’re just looking for a place to crash.
- Dubrovnik Inside the Walls B&B – Bare-bones but right inside the city walls. It doesn’t get more central than this.
- Family Glavinić – Affordable guesthouse run by a local family. Clean and comfortable with a short bus ride into Old Town.
