Restaurants in Podgorica – A Guide to Business Lunches, Dinner and Casual Evenings Out
Podgorica has a diverse dining scene, from traditional taverns and restaurants serving local specialities to modern venues offering international cuisine and lounge bars. Choosing a restaurant, however, often depends on the occasion: a business lunch calls for a different setting from dinner with friends or an informal after-work get-together.
From finding the right atmosphere to choosing a particular restaurant, here is what to consider when planning lunch, dinner or a night out in Podgorica.
How to Choose a Restaurant in Podgorica for Every Occasion
Not every restaurant is equally suited to a business meeting, a quick lunch or an evening out. When deciding where to go, consider the occasion, the time you have available and the atmosphere you would like to enjoy.
Business Lunches and Client Meetings
For business meetings, choose a restaurant where you can talk without having to compete with loud music or crowded surroundings. If you are hosting an important meeting, reserve a table in a quieter area and check the menu in advance, especially when entertaining international business partners or guests with specific dietary requirements.
Locations close to business districts are particularly convenient, especially if they offer easy access and parking. If your lunch break is limited, it is also worth checking how quickly food is served.
For meetings involving several people, ask whether the restaurant has a separate dining area that can be reserved to provide sufficient privacy for your conversation.
Lunch Breaks During the Working Day
When your schedule is tight, choosing a restaurant near the office is often more practical than spending your lunch break travelling across town.
Before you go, check whether the restaurant offers a daily lunch menu or dishes that can be prepared quickly. Salads, pasta and lighter meals are often convenient choices, particularly when you are heading back to work afterwards.
Dinner for Two or with Friends
If you are planning dinner for two, look for a restaurant with a more intimate atmosphere and a quiet seating area. For larger groups, spacious restaurants with varied menus are often a better option, giving everyone something to suit their tastes.
For special occasions, it is worth booking a table in advance, particularly on Fridays and weekends, when popular restaurants tend to be busier.
After-Work Drinks and a Light Dinner
For a relaxed get-together after work, restaurants and lounge bars that serve light meals or sharing plates alongside drinks are a good choice.
If you plan to stay for the evening, check the kitchen opening hours and evening entertainment, especially if you are looking for somewhere with music. Venues that combine a restaurant and bar are particularly convenient, allowing you to carry on socialising after dinner without moving elsewhere.
Dining at The Capital Plaza
If you are arranging a business lunch, dinner or after-work get-together near your office or other city attractions, a location with several dining options can make planning easier.
One such destination is The Capital Plaza, located on Sheikh Zayed Street in Podgorica. The complex is home to five dining and hospitality venues with a diverse range of offerings – from international and Japanese cuisine to contemporary dishes, lounge bars and cafés. With so much choice in one place, you can find the right setting for a business lunch, a relaxed dinner or a quick coffee break, all at the same address.
The Living Room Lounge & Dining
The Living Room Lounge & Dining is a restaurant and bar at The Capital Plaza, within the Crowne Plaza Podgorica hotel. It offers contemporary international cuisine in a welcoming, elegant setting.
The menu features a variety of dishes and seasonal specialities, while the bar is particularly known for its signature cocktails, crafted by experienced bartenders.
The Living Room suits a wide range of occasions, from breakfast and business lunches to dinner with friends or cocktails after work. Combining a restaurant with a lounge bar, it is also a convenient choice for a coffee meeting or a relaxed evening meal. Guests who wish to linger after dining can enjoy a wide selection of cocktails and other drinks.
Taro – Modern Japanese Dining
Taro brings contemporary Japanese cuisine and an Asian fusion concept to The Capital Plaza. Its menu includes sushi, sashimi, dim sum, wok dishes and other Asian-inspired specialities.
Alongside its varied food menu, Taro also serves signature cocktails that complement the dining experience. With its elegant setting and inventive flavour combinations, it is an appealing choice for lunch or dinner when you are in the mood for something beyond traditional or classic international cuisine.
Elit Restaurant & Bar
Elit Restaurant & Bar stands out for its modern interior, international menu and concept that brings together a restaurant and a lounge bar.
During the day, you can stop by for coffee or enjoy a meal from the international menu, while evening music creates a livelier, more relaxed atmosphere. This combination of dining and a lounge-bar setting makes Elit an appealing choice for dinner and drinks in Podgorica.
Babi Gourmet & Wine
Babi Gourmet & Wine offers a contemporary dining concept that brings together creatively prepared dishes, seasonal ingredients and a carefully curated wine selection.
The menu features a range of options, from gourmet sandwiches, tortillas and salads to meat and seafood dishes, with vegetarian choices also available. The offering changes with the seasons, giving guests the opportunity to discover new combinations of flavours.
With its modern approach to food and welcoming urban atmosphere, Babi is an appealing spot for a leisurely lunch, dinner or a catch-up over a glass of wine.
Kafeterija
For coffee lovers and anyone looking for a short break during the day, Kafeterija is another option at The Capital Plaza.
Its menu includes a wide range of coffees, from classic espresso and cappuccino to filter coffee and drinks prepared using alternative brewing methods. Alongside its extensive drinks selection, Kafeterija also serves breakfast dishes, pasta and salads.
This makes it a convenient choice for a morning coffee, an informal meeting, a lunch break or a quick catch-up with colleagues during the working day.
Where Else Can You Enjoy Great Food in Podgorica?
Beyond the restaurants at The Capital Plaza, Podgorica has plenty of traditional and contemporary places to eat. If you would like to explore different flavours and neighbourhoods, here are two more well-known restaurants worth considering:
- Pod Volat – a restaurant in Stara Varoš, Podgorica’s Old Town, known for traditional Montenegrin cuisine, local specialities and homemade desserts. A good choice for anyone seeking authentic flavours.
- Stara kuća – a restaurant on Iva Andrića Street that combines Montenegrin culinary traditions with a contemporary approach to preparation and presentation. An inviting option for lunch or dinner in a traditional setting.
These restaurants reflect the variety of Podgorica’s food scene, particularly for visitors interested in discovering traditional cuisine and the city’s local character.
If you are visiting Podgorica for the first time, you can combine a meal out with a little sightseeing. For more inspiration when planning your visit, explore our guide to 10 Must-See Sights in Podgorica.
Podgorica: Great Food and Good Company
From traditional taverns to contemporary restaurants and lounge bars, Podgorica offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy good food in welcoming surroundings. Whether you are planning a business lunch, a romantic dinner or an evening with friends, the key is to choose somewhere that suits both your preferences and the occasion.
For those looking to combine dining, business meetings and relaxed evenings out, The Capital Plaza brings restaurants and lounge venues together in a contemporary setting in the heart of Podgorica.
