Stari Mlini — Restaurant in Dobrota

Stari Mlini is a special place that holds personal significance for me, as I remember visiting this charming restaurant during my first trip to Montenegro as a child. Remarkably, the place hasn’t changed much since then, and that’s part of its enduring charm. Nestled by the water with its rustic setting and historical ambiance, the restaurant still offers the same enchanting atmosphere that I fell in love with all those years ago.

The setting is absolutely breathtaking—surrounded by nature, with views of the watermill and lush greenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel at peace while indulging in some truly remarkable food. The picturesque environment is perfect for a romantic meal or a special occasion. The attention to detail in the décor and how the natural beauty has been integrated into the restaurant design is part of what makes Stari Mlini so unique.

As for the food, it’s nothing short of marvelous. My first experience with baked octopus here was unforgettable—the dish was cooked to perfection, with tender and flavorful meat. The freshness of the seafood is unmistakable, and the flavors are beautifully balanced. That said, Stari Mlini is undeniably on the expensive side, so you should be prepared to spend a bit more for the quality and experience. However, I find that the food and the setting make it absolutely worth it.

On this recent visit, my fiancée was keen to try an octopus and finally have her first experience with a raw oyster, something she had always wanted to do but had never found the right place to try. The octopus was delicious as expected, but unfortunately, the raw oyster didn’t agree with her. A few hours after eating it, she started to feel unwell, and we eventually had to visit a clinic. While I don’t blame the restaurant for this—raw seafood always carries some risk—it’s a reminder that trying new delicacies, particularly raw ones, can be unpredictable. Whether the oyster was off or she had a reaction to the high protein intake that day, it’s hard to say. It’s just something to be mindful of when ordering raw dishes.

Despite this incident, I have to emphasize how wonderful the place is. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, the food is consistently excellent, and the whole experience feels like a slice of Montenegrin magic. I still wholeheartedly recommend Stari Mlini for its beautiful ambiance, top-notch service, and superb cuisine—just be cautious when trying raw seafood.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Montenegro, Stari Mlini is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to pay for the quality, and take extra care when ordering raw items...

With its 300+ year history (originally a flour mill), this restaurant is in a truly beautiful, expansive and thoughtfully landscaped, bay-front setting. The adjoining Ljuta river (the source of power for the old mill) is still partially diverted to now flow into several interconnected stone-walled ponds (crossed by original arch bridges) filled with crystal clear water and stocked with freshwater trout. The tables are dispersed throughout the softly lit gardens - some in cozy alcoves - others on the edges of the ponds. The sound of splashing water only adds to the amazing ambiance. It wants to be and is a higher-end & sophisticated venue. We stopped in yesterday to make a dinner reservation with the most delightful hostess/manager and were kindly invited to chose what was a great table. Our waiter (a really nice Bosnian guy) was very friendly, professional and efficient. We had a glass of Prosecco and a bottle of inexpensive and tasty local Pinot Grigio that he recommended, 2 salads (Arugula & sliced octopus) that were fresh and well dressed. We were tempted to select one of the fish traditionally offered on a big tray, but instead chose veal osso buco and lamb shank. It was a mistake - both shanks had very little meat - comprising mostly (~ 80%) gelatinous fat. Like all good waiters, our guy returned after a couple of minutes to ask how we liked our meals. We explained the lack of meat and actually gave him a pretty large plate of discarded fat to show to the chef. He returned and explained that the chef (who is the owner) considered both shanks to have the usual amount of meat. The sauce and vegetables that came with the shanks were absolutely delicious. Had the primary constituent of our main meals been of better quality, the total cost (E129 - including a side of roast potatoes and 2 large bottles of water) would have been pretty reasonable all considered. So...........for a restaurant that describes itself as offering “top culinary quality”, the meat we were served was sub-standard in our judgement and we communicated that view very quickly & explicitly. The chef/owner obviously disagreed (as is his right) - but this is the primary reason why we have given the...

Everything here is unique! Unique location - situated on the coast of the bay, just between the sea and the mountains, a little river running through the place and a big old mill. All this creates such a calm environment, that you can just walk around and it'd be the perfect end of the night. The tables are scattered all around the place, so you never have the feeling that it's crowded - just the opposite: it feels very romantic. If you come by car, you don't need to worry where to park. It's a classy restaurant with a good selection of wines, but for those who want to drink beer choices are limited. The menu is diverse and the price are just as in any other restaurant in the area of Kotor. You can order fresh trout and walk to the trout pool while waiting and see where they get it from. We ordered mussels with both wine and tomato sauce (tomato was better;), octopus and squids were mild. As in most restaurants, bread and appetizers (olive paste here) are served in the beginning, so bear that in mind as an extra meal. The deserts we chose were homemade ice-cream with diva vishna,fine and smooth cream broiler with crispy coverage and a f almond cake. The bill was 120€ including the tip. The service was just excellent! When we entered, a hostess immediately found a table for us, but it was one of the very few left free, so it's best to have a reservation before coming. The waiter was very hospitable, smiley and quick, always giving a glance when passing near our table. When leaving, one of the hostesses asked us if we had a good time and have us a brochure as a memory. In the same time, all waiters were very sensible and always gave us their way and always went behind us. After dinner we walked around the place - there are nice paths with wooden or stone briges, benches with beautiful views to the sea, a private port and an awesome bar apart from the restaurant with tables all under the trees. Two small draft beers, a lemonade and an orange juice - 10€. The place is wonderful - probably the best place at Kotor to eat and...