Bota Sare

Bota Sare is a seafood and oyster restaurant in Mali Ston, on the Peljesac peninsula approach about 55 km north-west of Dubrovnik, in Croatia's Dubrovnik-Neretva region. Mali Ston sits at the head of Mali Ston Bay, a protected shellfish-farming area whose oysters and mussels are among the best-known products of southern Dalmatia, and the town is a standard stop for visitors travelling between Dubrovnik and the Peljesac wine country. Bota Sare occupies an old stone building beside the harbour and the oyster beds, with a shaded terrace and a stone interior. The kitchen is built around that local produce. The signature dish is fresh Ston oysters, served raw or prepared in the local manner, and the menu also features mussels buzara, cooked in white wine, garlic and breadcrumbs, as well as a traditional fish stew. These dishes are emblematic of the bay and are the main reason visitors make the trip. The dining room is relaxed and rustic rather than formal, with a casual dress expectation and a pleasant, outdoor-oriented mood in warm weather. Noise is low to moderate, and the terrace under the trees is the preferred seating in summer. The wine list focuses on Peljesac whites and reds, with Posip and Dingac among the regional names, which pair well with shellfish. Prices are moderate at about EUR 25-50 per person, depending on how many oysters are ordered. Hours run roughly 10AM to 11PM daily, with some listings extending to midnight. Reservations are advisable at weekends and in summer, when tour groups and day-trippers fill the tables; call +385 20 754 482. Many visitors combine the meal with a walk along the Ston walls, so booking a lunch slot before or after the climb is a practical plan.