Restaurants in Croatia
-
A
Kamenice
Looks vaguely like a socialist-style canteen, with prices to match. Order the squid, anchovies or kamenice (oysters).
reviewed
-
B
Chihuahua Cantina Mexicana
No matter how good the local cuisine is, sometimes the palate cries out for exotic spices. The tapas, fajitas and empanadas may be ersatz Mexican, but it is a refreshing change from pasta, risotto and fish. Plus there are vegetarian dishes to fortify the lively young crowd.
reviewed
-
C
Lucín Kantun
A modest-looking place with shabby-chic decor and a few pavement tables, but appearances are deceptive – this restaurant serves some of the most creative food in Dubrovnik. Virtually everything on the short meze-style menu is excellent, including amazing squid (stuffed with smoked ham and served with lemon and butter sauce), a lentil and shrimp creation, cheeses (including paški sir) and Dalmatian hams. Everything is freshly cooked from an open kitchen so you may have to wait a while at busy times.
reviewed
-
D
Boban
It's not just the food at this Italian restaurant-bar-café that is sophisticated. It's also the cosy indoor lounge with comfy sofas that offer the perfect resting place for the foot-weary and the outdoor terrace that attracts Zagreb's most attractive people.
reviewed
-
E
Buffet Fife
Dragomir presides over a motley crew of sailors and misfits who drop in for the simple, savoury home cooking (especially the pašticada; beef stuffed with lard and roasted in wine and spices) and his own brand of hospitality.
reviewed
-
F
Purger
This restaurant serves up a good assortment of meat and fish dishes at reasonable prices. It has an open-air terrace at the back. Recent graduates are inclined to blow their first pay cheque here.
reviewed
-
G
Nova
All very Zen and purely macrobiotic and more than welcome for those of the vegan persuasion. There's also shiatsu treatment, yoga classes and feng-shui courses.
reviewed
-
H
Orhan
Fancy restaurant beautifully located by the Pile Gate. Fish and seafood are good here, but you’ll pay a premium for the location.
reviewed
-
I
Nocturno
It's young, lively and inexpensive, and the wide-ranging menu never misses. The theme is Italian.
reviewed
-
J
Pekarnica Dora
Close to the train station, this bakery is open 24 hours for those late-night pastry needs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Fresh
Smoothies, wraps and other healthy snacks are on offer at this popular meeting place.
reviewed
-
L
Dubravkin Put
In a woodsy area northwest of the town centre, this upscale refurbished restaurant is Zagreb's trendiest spot. The décor is light, pleasant and modern, with pine floors and ceiling lights, but it is the outstanding fish specialities that attract Zagreb's fashionable crowd. The owner is from Dubrovnik and the cuisine is inspired by his native Dalmatia, with risottos as starters and main courses of perfectly grilled fish. The restaurant is not cheap, but it makes a fine evening out.
reviewed
-
M
Kaptolska Klet
This huge and inviting space is comfortable for everyone from solo diners to groups of noisy backpackers. There's a huge outdoor terrace for romantic dining and a brightly lit beer-hall-style interior for reading a newspaper or celebrating a birthday. Although famous for its Zagreb specialities such as grilled meats and spit-roasted lamb, duck, pork and veal, as well as homemade sausages, it also turns out a nice platter of grilled vegetables and a vegetable loaf.
reviewed
-
Stermasi
One of Dalmatia’s top restaurants, everything is done very well indeed here. Most importantly the food is flavoursome, authentic and prepared with love and skill. House specialties include vegetables, octopus or kid cooked ‘under the bell’ (200/260/300KN respectively) while wild boar with gnocchi (360KN) is almost enough for four. Or opt for a Mljet-style fish stew. The view from the terrace over the tiny islands of Saplunara bay is awesome.
reviewed
-
Okrugljak
This is a popular spot on Mt Medvednica for city people celebrating a special occasion. Dining is casual; you can sit at wooden tables in carved-out wine barrels or on the terrace. There is usually music on weekends, and the occasional wedding reception can make the ambience more than lively. The spit-roasted meat, especially lamb or duck, is unusually juicy and served with delicious mlinci (baked noodles).
reviewed
-
N
Restaurant Šumica
For a splurge you couldn't do better than this place. The pasta is home-made and is combined with salmon or other fish in imaginative sauces. The grilled scampi is perfection, but you pay a steep around HRK380 per kilogram. Before your meal you'll be served a dish of home-made fish pâté with bread to whet your appetite. Meals are served on an open-air terrace under pine trees with a view of the sea.
reviewed
-
O
Konoba Menego
On the stairway above the Church of the Holy Spirit on a steep street, this is a rustic old house kept as simple and authentic as possible. Everything is decked out in Hvar antiques, the staff wear traditional outfits, the service is unobtrusive but informative and the marinated meats, cheeses and vegetables are prepared the old-fashioned Dalmatian way. Try the cheese and fig desserts and some local wine.
reviewed
-
Gil’s
Gloriously glitzy or ridiculously pretentious, everyone has an opinion about Gil’s. Whatever your take on it, the cooking certainly hits the heights – scampi-stuffed veal, grilled turbot with confit lemon and pine nuts – and there’s a wine cellar stocked with 6000 bottles. The setting is unmatched, on top of the city walls with tables positioned so you can peer through the battlements over the harbour.
reviewed
-
P
Defne
Enjoy unique old-town ambience at this fine restaurant, which has a huge outdoor terrace and serves (mainly Eastern) Mediterranean cuisine, so there’s lots of Turkish, Greek and Balkan food. The menu is a little annoying, with dishes that have been given Asian themes – Sultan’s Dreams is beefsteak rolled in foil with herbs – but the cooking is accomplished and setting lovely.
reviewed
-
Q
Taj Mahal
It’s like an Aladdin’s cave, with an interior loaded with Turkish decorations and subdued lighting. Order the džingis kan and get a taste of everything Bosnian or feast on spicy sudžukice (beef sausage). Vegetarians will find plenty of choices including aubergines alla edina (eggplant stuffed with cheese). There are also three pavement tables.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Nautika
This elegant restaurant offers good but expensive dining and a spectacular view over the sea. It's class all the way with an emphasis on dressed up seafood dishes. The staff are also dressed up - in period costume. But the best item on the menu is the undressed oysters from the nearby Pelješac Peninsula. A good vegetarian selection is also available.
reviewed
-
S
Istra
This is where locals go for a special meal. In addition to the usual offerings of grilled fish, spaghetti and calamari there are delicious local specialities such as a mixed seafood starter and mučkalica (stewed chicken and vegetables in a spicy sauce). There's a cosy interior and a covered terrace with wooden booths.
reviewed
-
T
Wanda
Single-handedly saving the reputation of Prijeko restaurants, this is a very classy Italian. Dishes include osso buco with saffron risotto and beautifully crafted pasta dishes. Eat from the fixed-priced tasting menus (150KN to 580KN) to see what the chefs are really capable of. You’ll also find some great Croatian wines to sample.
reviewed
-
U
Restaurant Jadran
The menu tries to offer everything to everyone and mostly succeeds. From meat to fish to vegetables, the food is fresh and unpretentious. It's also a great pleasure to eat under the Gothic arches of this former convent. There's a great deal of seating here, making it likely you'll find a table when other restaurants are full.
reviewed
-
Konoba Maslina
Everything you’d want from a rural konoba, this traditional place offers rustic character and really honest country cooking. Chef-patron Ivan will guide you through the menu and make suggestions: fresh fish, lamb and veal, and local ham and cheese feature strongly. It’s about 3km out of town on the road to Lumbarda.
reviewed
