Kotor, Montenegro, was our second stop on our eight-day cruise with Princess Cruise Lines. We took the hop-on, hop-off bus to Perast for a light brunch, having eaten something on the boat earlier in the morning. Djardin was one of the few places just starting to open up as we strolled through the still sleepy town. Waiters and staff were setting out silverware and fluffing pillows for the outside seating. Being attached to a hotel was also beneficial for our brunch cause. Surrounding us were other tourists already beach-prepped and smelling of sunscreen. Little kids, anxious to get in the water, not wanting to touch their morning oatmeal much to their parents’ dismay.

The atmosphere was gorgeous—a literal picturesque small-town European dream. We were right on the water, watching the town wake up. Small boats skimmed past us as fishermen dropped off their catches of the day to their local restaurant patrons. Floating swimming lanes with little buoys attached to the sea wall had been put out to allow the early risers first claim to the crisp water. Ladders had been installed on various points around the wall so swimmers could jump right off and easily get back onto the beach decks and surrounding restaurants. A light breeze graced us, carrying with it the promise of a decadent brunch.

The waitstaff was friendly and inviting when explaining the specials of the day. It was very obvious we were American, and since neither Gavin nor I speak Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, or Albanian, they were more than accommodating to speak English with us and already had an English menu prepared.

We were very open to the idea of a fish dish, and I had my sights set on a refreshing drink. We ordered the catch of the day special, which was literally whatever was caught that morning and served on a plate.

I had never tried octopus prepared this way nor prawns before. I can also say I’ve never been served a fish with its head still attached. As long as I didn’t look it in the eye, I was fine. Served with pomegranate seeds, a sprinkling of fresh strawberries, and a light olive oil salad under the tuna carpaccio, the dish was served beautifully and plain.

The white fish and the tuna were something I kept gravitating back to again and again. I think I could have eaten the whole plate of just those two items all by myself. There’s a very specific way fresh fish tastes, and this place does it right! It was raw but flaked off the bone. The strawberries and pomegranate seeds were a wonderful sweet break between the salty fish. The octopus was a little slimy and chewy for my liking. I’m used to a more breaded and deep-fried take on octopus, and I think I’ll keep my preference there. Not to say it wasn’t also delicious, just not my preferred method to be served.

We also ordered ‘doughnuts’; however, we were warned that they wouldn’t be the typical American doughnuts we were used to. They were more like doughnut holes. A light, fluffy inside greeted us after puncturing through a satisfying crunchy exterior. Served with a side dish of Nutella for dipping, it was a perfect sweet treat to send us on our way to explore the rest of Perast.

My recommendation would be to absolutely stop at this breathtaking location, sit outside with a fun drink, and just listen to the waves.