I had the pleasure, and indeed it was a pleasure, to visit on of the rising stars on the Dubrovnik culinary map last week. It is a hidden gem, that is pretty much hidden in plain sight, right in the very heart of the historic Old City of Dubrovnik. And it was a dining experience that I will remember for a long time, all because of one dish, one meal, that was by far the best I have ever tried. I am talking about Bura Bistro, and read on for the meal that is an absolute must try!

Easy to find location - Photo - Mark Thomas 

So the Bura Bistro is one of those typical Dubrovnik restaurants that spill out onto the stone terraces and is surrounded by centuries-old façades. Located directly behind the cathedral (yes, it is very easy to find) in a vibrant square that is home to a number of cafés and bars. The whole bustling square gives you that real Dubrovnik eating experience and only adds to the flavour of the food.

I was greeted by the head chef, Ante Jonjic, who is clearly the driving force behind the imaginative menu. As we chatted his passion for food and ingredients shone though like a lighthouse. “I would recommend that you try a few dishes that I will prepare,” he smiled. He has the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly what they are doing.

Creative plating by Chef Ante - Photo - Mark Thomas 

First impressions. Well, there were a few things that I liked. Firstly, and I know this is a small point, but the waiter’s uniforms were smart and professional. Secondly, clearly this restaurant was well-known amongst visitors as the seating area was a mix of languages. And lastly, the name. So for those of you who don’t know Bura is the name of a northerly wind that brings cold and clear weather with it. It is kind of a fitting name as the bistro has that clear and refreshing concept.

So onto the food. Ante was a man of his word. He produced a series of different meals for me to taste. The waiting staff were particularly attentive and friendly. And no, it wasn’t just because they knew I was a journalist, I closely followed (you could say eavesdropped) when they were serving tables near me. But it was the last dish that Chef created that blew me away.

Smoked Tuna and mango pizza - Photo Mark Thomas 

Now in my two decades of following the gastro scene in the south of Croatia I have tried this dish a thousand times, it is actually one of my favourites. It is typical dish from the Croatian coastline, probably because it contains seafood and fish. I always, if possible, like to promote “home-grown” dishes. This isn’t always that easy as times change and old meals are swept under the carpet. The meal that had me so excited was buzara, buzara at Bura Bistro.

Now at this point (for our foreign readers) I probably need to explain a little more as to what buzara is. Sometimes you’ll see it called a fish/seafood stew, it really isn’t. It is a method of preparing fish and seafood that is simple, and yet complicated at the same time. The word "buzara" traces its roots to the Venetian term for a cooking cauldron, traditionally used by fishermen to prepare their daily catch. In Dalmatia, it became synonymous with a coastal seafood delicacy, known for its versatility and the use of the freshest ingredients. Yes, the ingredients need to as fresh as possible, and at Bura Bistro they were so fresh. The seafood, shrimps, prawns, mussels, etc and fish pieces are cooked in a sauce. And that sauce is the absolute key.

The meal landed in front of me and made me chuckle as it was served in one of those saucepans your granny would use, absolutely brilliant. It looked and indeed smelt perfect. In fact, my mouth is watering just thinking about this buzara again. As I have already said the sauce is the key, and this sauce was, well it is difficult to put into words how superb it was. I will give you a couple of examples. With the buzara you get three triangles of baked bread (which are very nice) and I used these to mop up all the sauce! Secondly, I managed to splash the sauce all over my shirt (note to self: don’t wear a white shirt when eating buzara) and I really didn’t care. It wasn’t one of the best buzaras I had ever tried, it was THE best buzara I have ever tried. And I have tried many.

After I finished I sought out Chef to congratulate him. “Well done, that sauce is heaven sent,” I smiled. Apparently he used a sauce that was handed down through his family generations with some key ingredients. Again I congratulated him for respecting past generations and producing a meal that is a “must try” whilst you are in Dubrovnik.

And what a location to dine - Photo - Mark Thomas 

In conclusion, my experience at Bura Bistro was nothing short of extraordinary. The passion and expertise of Chef Ante Jonjic, combined with the fresh, flavourful ingredients and a sauce perfected through generations, made for an unforgettable meal. The buzara, served in a charmingly traditional way, stood out as the best I've ever tasted, embodying the essence of Dubrovnik’s rich culinary heritage. For anyone visiting the city, dining at Bura Bistro is an absolute must, offering an authentic taste of the Adriatic that lingers long after the meal is over.

Find more info here

Website – https://www.burabistro-dubrovnik.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/burabistrodubrovnik

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/burabistrodubrovnik