To be fair, finding vegan and vegetarian food in Mostar isn’t TOO tricky, but it may be very samey or plain if you don’t where to look. Similarly, if your accommodation is a little further out of the tourist-centric Old Town you may find yourself wondering back in that direction every time you get hungry – the local spots often don’t cater for vegetarians at all.
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I was in Mostar for a few days eating my way around the city. Here is a list of my favourite restaurants and cafes in Mostar for vegans and veggies!
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FOOD HOUSE
My personal favourite spot for vegan food in Mostar – I went back twice just for their yummy Imam Biyaldi. This is baked aubergines stacked with veggies and roast potatoes.
They also offered grilled vegetarian plate (that looked more substantial than in some other restaurants), traditional vegetable stew, Turkish style pizza and Shakshuka. Oh, and even a veggie burger. And this was just under their specialised vegetarian and vegan section – look through the menu and you’ll find so many other options too.
The portion sizes are very generous and the flavours are delicious. It’s just around the corner from the Old Bridge and the outdoor and indoor seating is spacious.
Prices range from around 10KM to 15KM depending on what you order.
Tima Irma
Amongst the highest-rated restaurants in Mostar, it’s great they have a vegetarian option. Whilst there is only one key choice, their vegetable plate is just as big and filling as the meat options – phew! Again, it’s just moments from the Old Bridge.
This family business has been running for over 30 years cooking traditional food. Tima Irma is very popular and gets busy, so head there at a quiet time if you want to sit a little further away from the grilled meat options they’re best known for.
I didn’t realise it came with cheese but I am sure you can just ask for it without, no biggie. Price is 10KM.
Teco
On the hunt for a veggie burger or nachos? Teco is your go-to for something a bit different . Otherwise, I definitely would have gone. Ask for the burger to be vegan or check for the various other options on the menu.
Reading through reviews, Teco is perhaps most notable for its raw deserts and smoothies.
Teco is a 25-minute walk from the Old Bridge. For this reason, it’s the only place on this list I didn’t visit personally as I was feeling under the weather during my visit.
Sadrvan
If you’ve been in Bosnia & Herzegovina for a while and are looking for something other than grilled veggies as you stroll through the Old Town, Sadvran is a good option for alternative vegetarian food in Mostar. They have a few simple recipes that are worth trying – I had the veggie pasta which was standard but tasty and a good portion size.
The service here was really friendly and it’s right next to the Old Bridge.
Kullak
Okay… admittedly, the food I ate here was not my favourite. The vegetarian plate is the only option, with grilled vegetables and rice. The food here was plainer than the varieties I had at Food House and Tima Irma. Their meat options are highly rated so a good option if you’re going with a mixed group.
However, I’ve decided to include it because, well, look at this amazing view! This grainy photo was taken from the upstairs terrace where it was nice to get away from the crowds.
Cafe Lucky
Along the vein of great views, I spent a calm couple of hours enjoying the views of the Old Bridge. They only serve drinks, so chill with a coffee and watch the cliff-jumpers jump twenty-three metres into the water below.
Trying Bosnian coffee is another good way to try something traditional without animal products. (I know I’m boring for sticking to my Americano, haha.)
Other Options
More popular restaurants which serve traditional vegetarian food plates include: Hindan Han, Restaron Legaro – the latter has another great view of the bridge. In fact, many restaurants do serve a vegetable plate so they keep up in competition with other tourist-centric restaurants, I rarely noticed a sign with literally ZERO vegan option. It’s just they vary in quality and, since it’s usually grilled vegetables, you might as well head to where you know it will be cooked with as much care as the meat options!
For pizza and pasta: Restaurant Meditarana Delicata, Caffe Pizzerio Porto (no vegan pizzas as far as I’m aware). I didn’t eat here personally but did try and head to one for a portion of vegetable pasta, it just wasn’t open at the time!
Vegetarian Burek
Sampling traditional food in Mostar is going to be tricky if you’re travelling as a vegan. Traditional burek is a staple here and many would consider trying burek as a ‘must’ in terms of cultural experiences. Unfortunately, there is no vegan alternative. I didn’t try it as, although currently vegetarian, I am making a conscious effort to eat vegan options especially when they are readily available.
In Mostar, the vegetarian burek option is usually cottage cheese or cheese and spinach. You will find this in many local bakeries. Use google translate if you’re not sure what you’re ordering, as traditionally most will come with minced meat.
If you’re worried but want to try a local staple, try one of their sweets. Baklava is 100% vegetarian but unfortunately loaded with butter, however, traditional Turkish delight is vegan. It is usually made with lokum and not gelatine despite its consistency.
Eat at your accommodation
Well, this is the easiest way to ensure you are eating vegan food in Mostar haha. To save money, I went to the nearby supermarket and made pasta for some of my meals.
Since there was just one pan, I kept things simple! Example cost for three meals: Pasta sauce (tomato) was 3.25KM and 400g of pasta was 1.30KM.
For breakfast, I had bread and a plum jam which was made by my host.
I really hope this post can help someone travelling through Bosnia and Herzegovina who needs to find some good vegan or vegetarian food in Mostar. 🙂
Let me know any other suggestions in the comments below.
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I was wondering if you’d mention Food House as soon as I saw the pin – was excited to see it listed first! I had it twice while in Mostar. The veggie plate was amazing and was like 1kg worth of food – so generous. I’d tried another place in the town, and it was way smaller and bland. Will keep the other places in mind if I ever go back!