Budva has been a tourism goldmine in Montenegro for decades. On average, over a million tourists visit Budva each year, coming from around the world to swim in the Adriatic Sea, admire the breathtaking views, and experience the history of this ancient city. It's no surprise that restaurant prices, like in almost any resort town, seem exorbitant to many tourists. But is it really that expensive at every restaurant in Budva? And is it possible to find something worthwhile and delicious at a reasonable price? In this article, I'll tell you how I searched for such places, using the L&M restaurant as an example.
I first came to Budva with my family a few years ago. The sea, beaches, and views were truly magnificent, but the prices in the seaside restaurants were quite steep. The average price for a relatively filling lunch or dinner was around €35-40 for two, which, unfortunately, was beyond our means. Since we were really craving Mediterranean cuisine, we decided to look for cheaper places in the Old Town, but as it turned out, the prices there were even higher.
I stumbled upon the L&M restaurant completely by chance when I was walking to the beach and saw a large crowd of locals there. Later, after asking some guys from St. Petersburg who had been living in Budva for several years, I learned that it was one of the best and most affordable places to enjoy national and Mediterranean cuisine.
Features of L&M Restaurant
The restaurant itself is small and unobtrusive due to its location on a corner near MegaMarket and the main market (just 300 meters from the sea). So, it's not surprising that it's not immediately visible to vacationers, but that's probably on purpose. The sign isn't flashy, but it's quite modern—its unique style is immediately apparent. There are 5-6 tables on the veranda and about the same number inside the restaurant.
One of the main advantages of this restaurant is that the owner is the creator of many dishes passed down in the family from generation to generation. The staff is quite friendly, speaks excellent Russian and English, and is happy to help you choose a dish to suit any taste. The atmosphere is very cozy, without noise, fuss, or pretentiousness. No one pushes you or praises more expensive dishes, but rather offers honest advice and is interested in your preferences. After the pretentious beach restaurants, such simplicity and sincerity are welcoming and endearing.
Kitchen
L&M Restaurant specializes primarily in national and Mediterranean cuisine, including both meat and fish dishes. But the fish dishes are especially noteworthy! Squid, octopus, and mussels, prepared according to traditional and original recipes, will be appreciated by any connoisseur of such delicacies. We absolutely loved the fish chorba, seafood pasta, and cheese in batter. We were pleasantly surprised by the portions, averaging 400-500g, and the presentation was purely traditional, without unnecessary frills, and home-style.
Prices
Another surprise at L&M is the prices. It's quite possible to have a filling meal for just 10-15 euros for two. The restaurant also offers set breakfasts for 4,50 euros and lunches for 6,50 euros (including dessert or wine!).
On average, the pricing policy at L&M is approximately as follows:
- First courses: 2-3 euros per serving;
- Main courses: 4-12 euros;
- Salads: up to 3 euros;
- Desserts: 2-4 euros.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that this restaurant is clear proof that in Budva you can find places where you can enjoy a delicious and filling meal without breaking the bank. In fact, if you ask the locals or simply look a little further from the sea, you'll find plenty of affordable cafes and restaurants with cuisine to suit every taste.
