26 November 2018 - Skadar Lake is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula and is located in the western Balkans, on the border between Montenegro and Albania, south of the Dinaric Alps. It is very specific, not only for its landscapes but also for its rich and dynamic history which created a special spirit of the people living along its shores.
The gastronomy of this area is largely identified with the Mediterranean gastronomy. However, the local products and cuisine are known for their simplicity and clear territorial identity which are common to both northern Albania and south of Montenegro. The mixture of high quality meat, especially veal and lamb; lake fish such as carp, eels, bleak and grey mullet; humble and yet fresh dairy products such as goat, cow and sheep cheese and yoghurt; delicious fruit and vegetables grown in this territory such as okra, aubergines, onion, tomatoes and figs, pomegranates, grapes and alike provide something for travellers to look forward to discovering! Here are the recommendations of places you should not miss this winter within the Skadar Lake Region (Montenegro), provided by the Ethno-gastronomic Route.
- Pelikan Hotel Restaurant
Guests of the hotel and restaurant Pelikan can enjoy excellent service, comfortable accommodation, and a typical lake menu. This hotel/restaurant is located in the main square of the old town of Virpazar at Skadar Lake. The pleasant owners of Pelikan, Zorka and Toman are especially proud of a traditional room called “odžaklija” which is filled with many old and traditional items for guests to see. Hotel services include comfortable accommodation - double and triple rooms – featuring all the essential amenities such as modern bathing and shower facilities, air conditioning, and TV. The hotel and restaurant are open all year round, and there is plenty of parking available nearby.
- Posljednja Luka Restaurant
Restaurant Posljednja Luka is located in the beautiful town of Rijeka Crnojevića. Guests can enjoy lake fish specialties prepared by the pleasant host Dragan and his mother. The design of this restaurant is of the fishermen’s motif. There is a balcony with superb views of the vicinity. This restaurant located at Skadar Lake offers interesting lake excursions and fishing trips. This restaurant is open all year, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and can accommodate around 60 guests. Parking is available.
- Stari Most Restaurant
Restaurant Stari Most is located in a beautiful setting in the small town of Rijeka Crnojevića, near the old historic bridge. Visitors will enjoy the ambience within the restaurant which combines traditional Montenegrin features with modern design elements. The restaurant can accommodate up to 100 guests and includes a section dedicated to wines from both the region and abroad. A group lunch can be arranged upon request. This restaurant is famous for its fish specialties. Restaurant Stari Most is open every day throughout the year from noon to 10 p.m. Parking is available.
- Niagara Restaurant
Nikola Ujkić is the owner of the unique restaurant Niagara, located near natural waterfalls on the shore of the river Cijevna. Guests can enjoy the inviting ambiance of this restaurant while tasting local Montenegrin specialties. This kind host is a livestock farmer, so all of the meat and dairy products used in the restaurant kitchen come from his large farm nearby. Nikola is also a producer of wine and brandy so that guests may enjoy a glass of these domestically prepared beverages as well. This restaurant is open all year round. Plenty of parking is available on the premises.
- Votra Tavern
Votra is a beautiful tavern located in the center of Ostros. Visitors can dine on delicious regional dishes prepared by hosts Bejto and his son Miljaim. The tavern is decorated using rustic, ethno style design elements, and includes a display of many valuable ethnographic items from the region. The menu is mostly meat and fish based, along with chestnut desserts and other sweets typical for this area. The hosts can arrange a hiking tour on Mt. Rumija and a visit to some nearby historical sites. Tavern Votra is open all year – daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking space is available.
- Badanj Tavern
Tavern Badanj is located on the shore of Shkodër / Skadar Lake, just a few meters from the water, near an old bridge in the beautiful historic town of Virpazar. This tavern includes two summer garden dining areas and two interior dining rooms. Owner Nenad Petranović has a clear grasp on local traditions. The tavern provides a welcoming dining experience, a cozy atmosphere, the sounds of old traditional music, and a menu with mouthwatering dishes, local homemade wine, and brandy. The tavern is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are plenty of parking spots available.
- Crmnički Vinotok Tavern
Jovan Dabović is the owner of TerryDab tourist agency and the tavern Crmnički Vinotok in Virpazar. One area of the restaurant/tavern is a dining room which seats 16 persons and is decorated with antique furnishings; its walls are adorned with about 150 bottles of premium wine from producers in the Crmnica region. The second section of the tavern is a dining room which can seat 44 guests. The tavern provides delicious, homemade fish specialties. Mr. Dabović’s offer also includes accommodation services in the apartments located near this tavern. Tavern Crmnički Vinotok and the tourist agency TerryDab are open daily throughout the year. Parking is available.
