Gradska Kavana Arsenal

Gradska Kavana Arsenal is a historic cafe-restaurant at Pred Dvorom 1 on the Old Port of Dubrovnik, beside Luza Square, in Croatia's Dubrovnik-Neretva region. The cafe has been open since 1895 and occupies part of the old Arsenal building, where Ragusan galleys were once built and stored, with a terrace on the eastern side looking over the harbour and the fishing boats. It is operated within the Nautika Restaurants group, which also runs the fine-dining Nautika near the Pile Gate. The kitchen serves a Mediterranean menu of pasta, grilled meat and seafood, with a changing selection of seasonal dishes. Seasonal pasta and grilled meat and fish are the plates most often ordered, and the menu is deliberately broad so the venue can serve breakfast, coffee, lunch, aperitifs and dinner. The restaurant opens at 8AM and closes at midnight daily, which makes it one of the few Old Town venues suited to both early starts and late evenings. The dining room has the character of a grand Austro-Hungarian-era cafe, with high ceilings and arched openings, while the terrace is the draw in good weather. Atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan, dress is smart casual, and noise is moderate, higher when the harbour is busy with visitors. Beverages include Croatian wines by the glass, espresso drinks, cocktails and local spirits, and the venue is a popular place for a drink with a view of the Old Port. Prices are mid-range, about EUR 35-60 per person for two courses and a glass of wine, with coffee and snacks costing considerably less. Walk-ins are accepted, but terrace dinner tables are best reserved by phone on +385 20 321 202 or through the Nautika Restaurants website, especially from June to September.