Cheese Shop — Restaurant in undefined

A hidden gem above Kotor; great cheese, rakia, and unforgettable views

What an amazing discovery! We read about the "Rakia Man" cheese shop in an online blog and decided to make a small detour during our hike up to Kotor’s fortress. This turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.

Starting from the "Start of the Ladder of Kotor" (as marked on Google Maps), we hiked steadily up the winding path. When you reach "Kuca Milenko Franović" (as per Google Maps), you’ll see a fork. The right side heads directly to the fortress, but instead, keep following the main winding trail uphill to the left. After a short while, you’ll arrive at a spot marked "Cheese Shop" on Google Maps, and that’s where you’ll meet the one and only "Raki Man" 😊

This rustic spot features a few tables and chairs with a stunning panoramic view of Kotor Bay, along with two toilets for visitors. He serves up simple but delicious fare: local bread, cheese, and pršut (prosciutto), along with cold beer, wine, and of course, very proudly, his homemade rakia.

We tried the cheese and ham platter, and the cheese was honestly some of the best we’ve tasted in Montenegro. We also sampled both the grape and plum rakia. Both were enjoyable, though I personally preferred the grape.

This place is a true hidden gem. Such a peaceful spot to relax and soak in the views while the bustle of Kotor unfolds far below. The hike up is relatively easy and takes about 30 to 45 minutes from the Old Town, making it very accessible for most.

Highly recommended for anyone interested to veer off the beaten track and explore the hidden magic of local hospitality, combined with a most...

I gave 5 overall stars with that people might read the review.

This is not only a standard place where the owner sets prices and the atmosphere based on the customers (they’d gauge how much customers are willing to pay and charge them accordingly). They also become very annoyingly confrontational when asked for prices ahead of ordering.

Having had experience with such places, and being able to speak mutually understandable language, I avoided the common traps. However - the owner/waiter, literally attempted to send me to an impossible way to get back down to kotor. He’d use use sentences like “it’s just diagonal down”, “it’s 200 meters shorter”. I asked him if he’d recommended that route - even though it didn’t exist on Google maps, and the satellite view suggested it was impossible. We decided not to take him on his suggestion, and while walking down through the zig-zag path saw that his suggestion was impossible. Only explanation for his suggestion was that he wanted us to just jump down the cliff - and it’s faster.

One more thing - as I understand local language - I heard him mocking and insulting non-speaking customers.

I would not fully recommend avoiding the place - but if you go there, set your own price for whatever low quality sugary drink, or beer you want to have, pay right away, and ignore any recommendations by the hosts. I.E go there on your own terms, it will be busy enough that the hosts will focus on scamming others who didn’t read...

Just one of the many now uncountable tourist scams places around this country. I mean the whole country is a big tourist trap. We went there reading the many 5 stars review and everyone encouraging to have a little stop in this "amazing" place. Well it is NOT worth. We ordered 2 pomegranate juices as we were thirsty and tired after hiking up to the fortress. The juice was ok nothing special nothing bad. And then I bought also 2 small bottles to take with us. I asked the price to the guy that wasn't particularly happy to get up from his chair and come give us the bottles so we could pay him. I asked the price and he said 10 €. Yes 2 small glasses of pomegranate juices and 2 small bottle of water cost more in this place than in the centre of London. I suggest you to skip theese scammers and bring your food and water from home (at least 2 litre of water for person in summer) they take advantage of people primary needs to make them rich. Never will see this place anymore even if they offer their...