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On the serene shores of Boka Bay, where the water sits still enough to mirror the mountains, Tapasake at One&Only Portonovi has carved out its own identity. It’s the kind of place you wander into expecting a lovely meal and leave remembering the whole environment – the soft lighting, the gentle soundtrack rolling in from the marina, and the feeling of being tucked into a contemporary space that balances elegance with ease. Even on quieter evenings, there’s an unmistakable warmth to the atmosphere, carried by glowing wood finishes, clean Japanese lines, and a terrace that opens straight onto the water.
A Destination Made for Slow Evenings
The ambience at Tapasake stands out long before the first dish arrives. The room feels polished but never stiff, wrapped in deep neutrals and subtle textures that create a relaxed, grown-up mood. There’s a sense of calm that settles in once you take your seat – the pace is unhurried, the lighting gentle, and the view beyond the glass almost always doing its part. The terrace offers a front-row seat to Boka Bay, where the late-afternoon light softens everything, and by the time dinner service picks up, the restaurant glows in a way that feels effortlessly inviting.
Inside, conversations hum at a comfortable level, giving the space a sociable spirit without tipping into anything rowdy. It suits couples as well as friends catching up over shared plates, with service that feels attentive and intuitive. Staff glide between tables with a quiet confidence, offering guidance when needed and letting the evening breathe when not. The restaurant’s overall rhythm makes it easy to settle in, sip something cold, and lean into the relaxed luxury of the setting.
A Sharing-Style Menu with Japanese Flair
Tapasake’s menu follows a Japanese-Peruvian rhythm, but everything is presented with the refinement expected of One&Only. Plates are designed for sharing, and the variety keeps the table lively without overwhelming. The appetiser selection alone brings a good mix of comfort, crispness, and creative touches.
Among the lighter beginnings, the Salty Edamame arrives simply seasoned with Maldon salt, while the Spicy Edamame adds roasted nuts, chilli, garlic, sake and soy for a richer, more aromatic start. The Crispy Rice – topped with the tartar of the day and a truffle paste – delivers that satisfying contrast of texture and umami, and the Noodle Soup brings together edamame, shiitake, nori, and a soft-boiled egg in a homemade broth that feels deeply restorative.
Those looking for something indulgent tend to appreciate the Wagyu Gyoza, served with a dashi-Parmesan sauce and a smooth pumpkin purée. The Crispy Duck Salad, brightened with plum sauce, pomegranate, and orange, strikes a lovely balance between richness and freshness. For seafood lovers, the Popcorn Shrimp Tempura with jalapeño sauce is hard to resist, while the Chicken Skewers with yuzu mayo and teriyaki offer a tender, lightly smoky option.
From the sushi bar, there’s a dependable roster of nigiri and sashimi – including shrimp, tuna toro, salmon, and unagi – plus several maki rolls that suit a sharing-style dinner. The Salmon Volcano Roll brings tempura flakes, Tobiko and spicy mayo; the Shrimp Tempura Roll blends asparagus, unagi sauce and sesame seeds; the Crazy California Roll highlights king crab and avocado; and the Vegetable Futomaki keeps things fresh with yuzu daikon, avocado, cucumber and capsicum.
The mains carry a stronger sense of identity. The Black Cod Yuzu Miso layers sweetness and citrus, served with gari pickles and apricot. The Hot Stone Tenderloin arrives sizzling, paired with seaweed butter, jalapeño relish, and spicy ponzu. For something more relaxed, the Teriyaki Glazed Chicken with pickled chilli yuzu and citrus salt is deeply comforting, while the Vegetable Stone Bowl brings tofu, chilli garlic, carrot, potato, and sake soy together in a warming mix that fits seamlessly into the sharing concept.
Desserts remain simple and flavour-forward: the Japanese Cheesecake keeps things light, the Fruit Almond Crumble adds warmth, the Ice Creams and Sorbets act as an easy refresher, and Abuela’s Chocolate Tart – with miso caramel, peanuts and sesame soil – is the most decadent option.
To drink, the signature cocktails offer plenty of character. Options such as the Green Breeze (sake, gin, honey, mitsuba, basil, pineapple), the Umami G&T with sesame oil and Mediterranean cordial, and the Tapasake Coastline with kombu-infused tequila and honey reflect the restaurant’s playful approach to flavour. The wine list stretches from local Montenegrin selections to classic French and Italian bottles, giving diners flexibility depending on the direction of their meal.
A Team That Knows Its Guests
Service at Tapasake carries that particular balance of friendliness and polish typical of a well-run resort restaurant. Staff are quick to offer guidance on pairings – whether that’s choosing between sake and a cocktail, or deciding how many plates make sense for the table. Courses are paced thoughtfully, leaving room for conversation and the occasional pause to enjoy the setting. It all contributes to a dinner that feels smooth, relaxed, and gently elevated, making the experience more than just a collection of dishes.
Adriatic Evenings with Japanese Soul
Tapasake brings something distinctive to One&Only Portonovi: a space where Japanese-inspired cooking meets Adriatic calm in a dining room that feels polished but never pretentious. It’s an easy choice for evenings when you want dinner to feel like an occasion without the need for ceremony. Between the waterfront setting, sharing-style plates and genuinely warm service, the restaurant creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the meal has ended – the kind you carry with you as one of those unexpectedly lovely travel memories.
Location: Portonovi Resort, Herceg Novi 85340, Montenegro
