MANDRAČ TAVERN
In front of Villa Birimiša lies mandrač, a quaint old port that once welcomed family fishing boats, inspiring the name of our beloved family tavern.
Since its opening in 2016, the Mandrač Tavern has been a true reflection of our passions and gourmet preferences, embodying our love for cooking, savouring delectable dishes, and cherishing moments with our closest and dearest people.
Mandrač
On offer you will find some of our favorite dishes. Our grandmothers taught us to make most of them, we grew up on them, but some of us dared to create ourselves.
Our menu
At Mandrač, our menu is a celebration of local, seasonal, and fresh ingredients, coupled with cherished traditional recipes. We take pride in preparing the best of what each day brings – from the catch delivered by local fishermen to the vegetables shared by our neighbours. However, our chefs readily embrace other culinary challenges too, ensuring a dynamic and ever-changing menu.
Our inspiration: local, seasonal, fresh and simple
While our offer may vary daily, there are timeless favourites that have remained since day one, such as homemade prosciutto, oil-cured cheese, warm, freshly baked bread or focaccia, smoked picarel and mullet, pasta infused with lemon, as well as our famous chocolate cake with carob and orange.
In winter, we produce delightful marmalades from Lopud tangerines, oranges, and lemons, and prepare olives with fennel. Spring brings the pickling of rock samphire and capers, along with the fresh goodness of homemade lemons, mint, thyme, and basil.
In spring, we relish wild asparagus, stuff artichokes, make broad bean pesto, and delicious soups and risottos with wild leeks and nettles.
As the much-anticipated summer arrives, it brings a bounty of flavours, aromas, and creativity to our kitchen.
Picking just a few representative dishes from Mandrač is a challenge, but here are some that encapsulate our essence:
Introducing Pasta with lemon . . .
This dish embodies the epitome of simplicity, yet its flavour is so captivating that many take the speedboat journey from the mainland to Lopud just to taste it.
Our secret lies in the use of home-grown, unsprayed lemons, abundant in our gardens during the winter months. We grate their fragrant peel, extract their luscious juice, and preserve them to infuse our pasta with summer sunshine.
To create this delightful delicacy, cook the pasta al dente, and prepare an emulsion of lemon peel and juice, expertly blended with olive oil. Enhance the mix with a touch of pepperoni and fresh garlic for a rich spice, then generously sprinkle grated Parmesan to elevate the flavours to perfection.
The aromas and flavors of our tavern . . .
Indulge in the timeless delights that will never go out of style – the combination of freshly sliced prosciutto and cheese infused with oil, served alongside warm homemade bread drizzled with a hint of olive oil. Here at our tavern, we take pride in the exceptional quality of our prosciutto, which we expertly cut the moment our guests place their orders.
Its delicate texture, thinly sliced to perfection, is best savoured at room temperature! Yum… the aromas and flavours of our tavern are truly unforgettable.
Memories of a sailor . . .
As we venture to the other side, globalization has graced our humble Lopud with a talented cook from the Philippines. The fusion of diverse culinary traditions has added a unique charm to our small island in the heart of the Mediterranean so that you can also indulge in excellent sushi, gyoza, and flavourful curries. However, the true stars of our culinary experience are Leonor’s famous soups. Every day, she conjures up new and delightful creations, leaving you uncertain which one is better than the last. A devoted following of fans has formed, returning day after day to savour her mouth-watering delicacies.
From grandmother's recipes . . .
One of our most praised dishes is the fresh hake in white wine, olive oil, and lemon juice, served with grainy yet soft polenta, a sprinkle of capers and a touch of pickled rock samphire.
The sauces prepared by Vido are a labour of love, simmered for hours with a blend of diverse spices, carefully mixed, rested, stirred, and then brought together to perfection. Whether you crave pašticada, šporki makaruli, goulash, or delightful fish dishes from popara and brodetto to grilled, our tavern has something to delight every palate.
Our desserts...
Our selection of desserts caters to all the flavours we hold dear.
If I were to pick one, it would be the crostata or pasta frolla, a nostalgic treat from our childhood, always available at Mandrač. Whether with apricot, orange marmalade, or fresh berries, each bite carries the delightful scent of lemon – a perfect sweet breakfast to savour!
Our toasted hazelnut cake holds a special place in our hearts, created with love when time allows. The pies, usually six or seven, made from egg whites, finely ground hazelnuts, and powdered sugar, are carefully baked on an inverted cake mould. Once delicately separated, they are layered, filled with whipped cream or vanilla cream, and sprinkled with coarsely ground hazelnuts. The rustic charm of this creation has earned praise from many gourmets.
Enough talking and describing – we invite you to experience the delightful flavours firsthand!
CELEBRATE MEMORABLE MOMENTS WITH US!
Nestled by the sea, Mandrač Tavern offers a picturesque setting with spacious terraces and a charming dining room, perfect for hosting groups of gourmets and hedonists alike. Whether you wish to combine the island's magic with delicious snacks and exquisite wines for special events like birthdays, engagement or wedding parties, important anniversaries, or simply desire to gather with loved ones in a delightful environment, celebrate your best moments with us.
Working hours
Our working hours cater to island life's appetite, starting from 8:00 am with coffee and breakfast. We offer delightful brunches, family meals, and charming afternoon cocktails, culminating in romantic dinners. Our chef awaits your orders until 10:00 pm, providing memorable dining experiences all day.
Our Wine list
Our passion lies in wine - white, red, rosé, sparkling, and dessert. What truly matters is that it's exceptional wine. We take pride in our extensive wine list, featuring local vineyards and indigenous varieties from Konavle, Pelješac, Neretva, and Korčula, alongside popular international selections. At Mandrač, you can savour a wide array of top-notch wines.
Wine list
- Plavac mali crni
- Pošip
- Malvasija dubrovačka bijela
- Crljenak (Zinfandel / Primitivo)
- Maraština (Rukatac)
- Grk
- Kadarun
- Cabernet sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah (Shiraz)
- Chardonnay
- Come and discover the other wines