Stari Grad
Housed in a waterfront hermitage, built in 1487 for the hermit monk serving neighbouring St Jerome's Church, this restaurant offers Dalmatian staples in…
Must-see restaurants in Central Dalmatia
Split
Little Luka is as sweet as they come, serving muffins, cakes and coffee to locals on one of the inner city's least touristy squares. In summer there are…
Split
Split's diehard pizza fans swear by this joint – it's cheap and very local, serving delicious pizza with Neapolitan-style chewy bases. The stone and brick…
Split
Spit's best bakery serves delicious bread, pastries and pizza slices. The focus is more savoury than sweet, although you'll find sweet things, too.
Split
This tiny joint within the walls of Diocletian's Palace is like a granny’s living room, with old-school sewing-machine tables. There’s no sign above the…
Brela
For a scenic meal, head above the coastal highway and follow the signs to Konoba Galinac, located in a semi-abandoned hamlet of stone houses. The…
Bol
In a lovely spot away from the tourist buzz, above the parking lot for Zlatni Rat, this alfresco tavern has a leafy garden in which to enjoy delicious…
Komiža
Built in 1883 as a holding facility for live lobsters waiting to be exported all over Europe, Jastožera has a covered wooden dining terrace jutting out…
Split
After spending years building a reputation as a neighbourhood tavern in a non-touristy part of town, Zora Bila has moved to a prime spot above Bačvice…
Split
An offshoot of an olive-oil retailer, this restaurant and deli offers breakfasts, a small but ever-changing selection of mains, several tapas-style dishes…
Vis Island
Set in an old stone house with a palm-shaded terrace overlooking the sea, Val offers a seasonal menu with an Italian twist. Try the offerings of wild…
Split
A sweet little restaurant decked out with rustic details and exposed stone walls, Šperun is a favourite among foreigners – possibly because the waiters,…
Hvar Town
The fabulous location and one of the island's best wine lists are reason enough to splurge at this swanky restaurant. Add innovative food and dazzling…
Vis Island
In the exotic gardens of the 16th-century Gariboldi mansion, Villa Kaliopa is an upmarket restaurant frequented by yachting enthusiasts. Tall palm trees,…
Vis Island
In the hilltop hamlet of Podselje, 5km south of Vis Town, this tavern serves specialities such as lamb and octopus under peka (a domed baking lid) and all…
Split
This iconic joint has sustained itself for nearly 25 years on an unpretentious and authentically local menu of fried whitebait, calamari and shrimp. The…
Vis Island
For a special slow-food meal bordering on a performance, see if you can catch Senko Karuza, the local star poet, philosopher, bon vivant and chef, on a…
Hvar Town
This rustic old house, accessed from a steeply stepped old-town laneway, aims to be as simple and authentic as possible. The place is decked out in Hvar…
Bol
The simple things stand out at Ranč, such as the delicious homemade bread and the traditional fish soup. Call ahead to preorder spit-roasted lamb or a…
Jelsa
The local couple behind this restaurant offers a creative take on Dalmatian cuisine at the edge of the harbour. The restaurant's decor merges traditional…
Vis Island
Smack in the middle of fields and vineyards east of Vis Town, this family-run affair serves homemade dishes using fresh local ingredients and great house…
Brač Island
Atmospheric in the extreme, this village eatery has a 300-year-old stone interior hung with dried meats and full of wine vats, and a lovely vine-shaded…
Vis Island
Sister to two popular pizzerias of the same name in Zagreb, Karijola serves up thin-crust concoctions with high-quality toppings. Try the Karijola (tomato…
Hvar Town
This top-end restaurant inside a 15th-century palazzo has a reputation as the place to be seen in Hvar. There's a lovely garden at the back. The food is…
Split
As local as you’ll find in Split, this konoba (tavern) on the ground floor of a family house serves unfussy but tasty food on a small terrace and in the…
Hvar Town
Food brought out of the wood oven here is simple, unfussy and tasty, although portions are modestly sized. The konoba (tavern) is downstairs; there's a…
Vis Island
The small menu at this seafront tavern offers flavourful local fare made with top-quality ingredients. The garden area is vine-covered and intimate, while…
Hvar Town
A great spot to be a castaway, this isolated restaurant at Mekićevica bay, east of Hvar, is perfect for a post-swim lunch. It can be reached on foot from…
Stari Grad
Atmospheric Antika has three separate spaces: an ancient, rickety town house; tables lining the alleyway; and an upstairs terrace. The menu includes the…
Split
This upmarket restaurant, wine bar and lounge has a large, airy terrace overlooking the sea in Zenta. Food can be pretentious and overpriced, but the…
Hvar Town
Savour the best cakes in town at this tiny bakery. Try old-fashioned local biscuits such as rafioli and forski koloc, and the Nonica tart with chocolate…
Split
Located 1km up the busy main street out of town, this is a blue-collar hang-out for marenda, a Dalmatian midday meal, with a rustic vibe – old beams,…
Split
This sleek restaurant and cafe on grand Trg Republike offers excellent international fare, including refined seafood dishes. Grab a table on the square or…
Vis Island
This simple place is tiny and unadorned (there's not even a proper sign), with a few tables outside. There are no frills, but it's great value, with a…
Hvar Town
This is the place to mingle with celebrities, coming off their glitzy yachts parked just metres away, over some of Hvar's best-prepared seafood. Prices…
Bol
This tavern offers simple, local food in a venerable stone building decorated with old photos and knick-knacks. While the food isn't exceptional, the…
Split
The go-to place for pizza in the old town, Galija is the sort of joint where locals take you for a good, simple meal. It also serves pasta and Dalmatian…
Makarska
Linger in the quiet leafy courtyard of this classy restaurant just off the main drag and feast on lamb, steak and fresh fish. There's a good wine list,…
Split
This parkside, family-style tavern is a pleasant place for a bite if you're visiting the nearby ruins of Salona.
