The best restaurants Croatia

Its long name translates to : Welcome to you my friends! That says it all. An establishment that loves large tables (capacity of 300 covers), organizes dance parties and family festivities. On the menu of this restaurant, wood-fired grilling, schnitzel or grilled squid with French fries, sausage sandwiches(ćevapčići), local dishes, such as štrukli gratins and small međimurski lipići croissants, typical of the region.

After the Porte du Pile, in the direction of the Hilton Hotel, then slightly to the left, you'll find this address partially hidden by vegetation. Here, there are no tables lined up in an alleyway, and no view of the sea, but a beautiful^19th-century building, classic bourgeois furnishings and a terrace under the trees. You'll come for a drink or for Dalmatian food (sea and local), as well as burgers and vegetarian options. In the morning, breakfast formulas with different types of omelettes and toast. Good choice of Croatian wines.

On the seafront promenade, this is the last settlement on the right bank. With its marine décor and a terrace overlooking the docks, the café-bar-restaurant is pleasant all day long. Careful fisherman's cooking, local dishes, fish of the day, squid, prawns, tuna in all its forms, grilled meat or meat in sauce, Italian dishes or Dalmatian dishes with pršut (raw ham), sheep's cheese and salad, all accompanied by local wines. In the evening, jazzy musical atmosphere. In season, it's better to book.

In a high street overlooking the main square, this restaurant also called Garden of the Wild Oranges is located in an old orange grove. The exterior setting of this 15th century palace is romantic (a very good reason to bring one's half here and, why not, make a declaration of love) while the cuisine remains classic. A la carte, you will find fresh fish, seafood platter, meats, risotto, grilled vegetables. Good service.

A local tavern with a small bar-grill, for those who like the burek atmosphere on the go, i.e. the local morning sandwich, cevapcici sausages (Bosnian recipe with herbs), grilled meat with French fries or blitva (crushed chard, potatoes) and a beer or prošuto/cheese with a glass of wine, all in a good atmosphere, in front of a soccer match or while listening to music The Taj is a little bit off the tourist circuit, so no touts! It's an opportunity to meet the locals.

In this restaurant, we like traditional dishes (land and sea) as much as the copious pizzas cooked in a wood fire. You can order a four-cheese, a margarita or, as a starter, a platter of Istrian cold cuts, prosciutto served with goat's cheese, then grilled meat or fish, fresh pasta with truffle sauce, seafood, shellfish risotto, fried mussels, sweet pancakes for dessert

Since 1976, a family tavern has been located in one of the pedestrian streets of the town. This restaurant offers fishermen's and local cuisine, the two identities of Istria. On the menu, friendly formulas, served on a tray to share, grilled meats accompanied by a white truffle sauce, with southern vegetables. The same goes for fish, seafood, garlic mussels with chips, half a lobster or a whole one, fresh pasta dishes, lasagne with scampi and shellfish.

Right on the harbor, this elegant restaurant is one of the city's top-rated eateries. It plays on the concept of new Mediterranean cuisine. A la carte dishes include Motovun soup with mushrooms and white truffles, white seafood carpaccio, whole grilled fish of the day with blitva (mashed chard and potatoes), scallops with saffron rice, fillet of beef with the chef's sauce. Among the desserts, try the ice cream... with truffles. Good regional wine list too.

A tavern popular with locals, where the owners are at the stove, which is a good sign. Here, we love local dishes, recipes prepared with fresh produce and cooked over a wood fire in the pure Mediterranean tradition. Grilled meats, but above all whole fish accompanied by homemade polenta, sautéed potatoes or mixed platters of fish and seafood in sauce, scallops in sauce, squid ink risotto, all accompanied by a white Istrian wine. High price, however.

Close to the E751 trunk road, this 4-star hotel offers 14 classic, comfortable double rooms and suites. It boasts a gourmet restaurant serving the finest fish and meat dishes, grilled or cooked in a sauce with truffles and wild mushrooms. A good list of regional and foreign wines, as well as a selection of olive oils, shows that Croatia has a wide range of natural oils on offer. Capacity limited, so book ahead.

Next to the Church of St. Euphemia, this gastronomic restaurant (one Michelin star) is one of the best known in Istria. Its chef, Danijel Dado Đekić, subtly handles local products, for a clever blend of new Croatian cuisine, traditional recipes and local inspiration. Seasonal fruits and vegetables in sweet and savoury versions, tapioca pearls in squid ink, vegetable spaghetti, grilled corn and langoustines in nectarine sauce, scallop skewers with raw mushrooms, ice cream with wild fennel and dark chocolate, vegetarian menu.

On the corner of busy pedestrian streets, especially in the evening, this is one of the city's most popular fast-food outlets. What's original about this franchise? It offers almost exclusively seafood products. Here, all kinds of burgers and long sandwiches are quickly packed, well-stocked with tuna, salmon and even shark steaks! Fried squid cones, sardine tempuras and other frituras can be eaten on the go with salad, French fries (excellent!) or rice bowls (gluten-free). It's hearty and easy to digest!

At the end of a sloping path, a family restaurant serves excellent grilled meat, fish and seafood, octopus, squid, scampi, as well as seasonal vegetables. There are also dishes cooked under the peka, such as hare a la Žrnovo, often served on a common platter where each table helps itself, just like in a family meal or with friends. The products are local, as is the wine. The menu is in French and the friendly welcome is in English. The owners also rent houses and rooms in the village.

An inventive cuisine for this small restaurant, with wooden tables installed in an alley just before the cathedral. The menu features charcuterie/cheese planchas, meat dishes, grilled calamari and fish, brochettes, seafood and fresh pasta. Original touches like this shark steak with potatoes en papillote or this chicken curry with peaches. The steak house also offers vegetarian dishes and good desserts. Smiling service, intimate and friendly atmosphere.

Close to the Korčula Hotel, with the immediate vicinity of the Kanavelić Tower, this elegant establishment has a beautiful Renaissance terrace. In the kitchen, fish is prepared in the coastal tradition. It is sold by weight, usually grilled, accompanied by southern vegetables. Other traditional recipes include squid risotto with squid ink, octopus salad, lobster in buzara (made with white wine and olive oil), with spaghetti, all served neatly and accompanied by local white wine.

It is said that the owner only buys bread and meat to run his restaurant! The other products used grow on the island or come from local fishing. For spices, caper is the most common. It is found in the anchovies at the entrance, on the grouper cooked in lemon, in the octopus risotto... If you like sea food, the choice is large, everything is delicious. With the added bonus of a superb view of Zaklopatica Bay. Rent rooms and apartments on the upper floors.

In an alley perpendicular to the main street, this establishment is known for its hearty and well-proportioned pizzas. The dough is thin with crispy edges and fresh, high-quality produce for the toppings, all baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Try, for example, the Ninska seafood pizza, the Hot Peperoni or the lighter vegetarian. The wait can be long, but that's a good sign! Then, as an appetizer, why not try some antipasti or even a salad? Take away is allowed. Very good service.

The Zure family runs this restaurant in the spirit of agroturizam, that is, they use only organic, produce their own olive oil, their balanced wines (grk, pošip, plavac), coupling of black varieties and the white(grk zure) as well as homemade spirits (Travarica, Anižeta and Lozovača). They also prepare fresh fish, caught in the bay, grilled meat, fresh pasta and dishes in sauce. The family also offers lodging and fishing trips to the sea!

In an alleyway off Place Lučica, this establishment is both a guesthouse and a tavern-restaurant. You can enjoy a wide range of fish and seafood specialties, barbecued, drizzled with local olive oil and a slice of lemon, served on their own or with southern vegetables, rice or French fries. Meat grills are also available. Dishes are served with a glass of local white wine (pošip). While you wait for your order, you can take advantage of the pretty garden high above the town. Warm welcome, attentive service.

When you enter through the main gate of the historic city, take the second street on the left to find the tavern, between the ramparts and the old facades. Its terrace is a pleasant setting to enjoy a romantic lunch or dinner. The menu offers appetizers and antipasti (grilled vegetables, tapenades, olives, cheeses and smoked ham, marinated sardines...) but also fresh pasta, fish, vegetarian dishes, good desserts, all of which are served with regional wines. Reservations are recommended in summer.

The family had started by opening a konoba to give people a taste of the farm's specialties. Traditional cuisine with meats roasted under the peka (bell simmering on the ash), cold cuts(pikatić, the Dalmatian andouille, prosciutto) and grilled vegetables. Baked bread is perfect for goat cheese, oil and sauce dishes, accompanied by the house wine. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a small glass of alcohol, the welcome rakija. Another activity of the house is the production of donkey milk. Rooms are also available for rent.

A family-run restaurant with a lovely terrace, where the arbour provides welcome shade in summer. The platters of oysters and mussels are generous, and the meats, fish, prawns and fresh squid are barbecued and accompanied by grilled vegetables or hearty salads. Fresh pasta and black risotto with squid ink are also served, all washed down with a local natural red wine(plavac mali). The restaurant also serves pizzas and sandwiches. A warm welcome awaits you. Rooms available for rent.

This hotel-restaurant in the harbour, without a terrace, has a large dining room with large windows overlooking the fjord and the oyster beds. It is recommended for lovers of fish and seafood, the great speciality of Mali Ston. Although we have seen more charming surroundings, Vila Koruna is a safe bet and the family is well known in the town as it also manages the Ston salt mines. The quality of the welcome and the smile of the service team enhance the whole. Friendly atmosphere.

At the foot of the fortress, in a bucolic setting near the river, this restaurant-grill often organizes receptions and weddings in the open air or under a marquee. If the room is not reserved (free during the week more often than on weekends), you can come and eat on a large banquet table or at an individual table, for more intimacy. The specialties of grilled meat, suckling pig on the spit, lamb chops, ćevapčići or whole freshwater fish are served with sautéed potatoes and vegetables on a plate or on a platter to share.

Built in 1447 on the foundations of ancient fortifications, the Gothic watchtower retains its powerful walls. The entrance features a winged Venetian lion, sculpted by Jakomus de Pari and his son. The interior has been converted to accommodate an Istrian gourmet restaurant. Before or after a cocktail at the Torre Rotonda (Trg Narodni), the medieval experience continues here with an à la carte meal. Meticulous, inventive dishes, sea and land, in a romantic atmosphere, indoors under the historic vaults or on the roof terrace.

This establishment has managed to distinguish itself thanks to a different menu where the young chef excels in a fusion menu where different culinary styles are mixed, Mediterranean, Spanish/Basque, French, seafood, vegetarian. One comes to taste seasonal dishes prepared with delicacy on fresh and well presented products. The restaurant also offers creative cocktails and, to start the day, brunches full of freshness and vitality. Reservations are essential during the high season, when the restaurant is fully booked every evening.

Close to the station and set back from the seafront promenade, this fast-food restaurant is peaceful and well placed. For on-site dining, there's either an indoor dining room or a shaded terrace, which is elevated above the street. The menu features classic Japanese and Asian street food: gyozas, ramen noodles, poke bowls with avocado/edamame/soy salad and mochi for dessert. The chef accommodates food allergies, while service is discreet and prompt. In direct competition with the other well-known address, Chili Fusion Streetfood (Ribarski Trg).

Even in Istria, a good Bosnian meal is not to be sniffed at. Here, the formula is simple: we're in a grill restaurant just like in Sarajevo. To eat in, there's a large terrace or an interior room with a refined decor and beautiful oriental carpets. Customers mostly order the grilled meat platter, with lamb chops, sausages and ćevapčići spiced with herbs, accompanied by fries, salad and homemade bread (for two people). To accompany, you can choose a bottled lager, Sarajevska Premium.

On the sea promenade between Mlini and Srebreno, one of the best fish restaurants in the area. It serves whole grilled fish of the day, prawns in sauce, squid ink risotto, but also meat dishes, salads, all accompanied by local wines, either in jugs or bottles. On the steep terrain, the establishment has a small elevated terrace, with a beautiful view of the bay of Mlini. The owners also run the tourist agency Vivado and offer mini-cruises between Mlini, Cavtat, Dubrovnik.

A campsite that slopes down to the sea with a good restaurant with a panoramic terrace, that's Monika's offer! In the kitchen you can enjoy freshly caught fish and shellfish from the sea in the village. The owner, who is also a producer of Malvasija, an autochthonous white grape variety, also serves good wines. A warm welcome, a friendly atmosphere, a careful service, all assets to come and spend your holidays in Molunat!

19 km from Cavtat, near Gruda, in the middle of the forest and yet so close to the coast, this traditional restaurant is installed in an old mill. The Konavoski Dvori is a good place to eat by the river in good weather and taste the local products of Konavle. On the menu, Dalmatian ham and goat cheese, grilled lamb and veal, kebabs, freshwater trout and local wines. All served on a plate simply presented but brought by waitresses wearing the folk costume.

Situated in an ideal location for yachtsmen, with particularly well-sheltered pitches in the small port, the Orsan is prized by sailors and artists. It was built in a boat shelter, a pretty stone building with a pleasant terrace. Taste the house specialities, the marinated amberjack, the gnocchi of the sea or the black risotto with shellfish, mussels, shrimps and octopus, a kind of Dalmatian paella cooked in sea water with the personal touch of the chef, all washed down with regional wines.

This good family restaurant and its terrace are perched at the top of a stone staircase and decorated with fishing nets. Just the setting makes you want to. But we come especially to Konoba Peggy for its traditional cuisine that the chef in the kitchen knows how to sublimate. The menu highlights local products such as fresh fish but it is also possible to order meat dishes. The menu is varied, the plates well presented and the portions rather generous. We salute the pleasant welcome, the professional service and the atmosphere.

This restaurant, with a breathtaking view of the bay, serves mainly Adriatic specialities (octopus salads, shellfish and, depending on availability, whole grilled fish dishes). The octopus prepared on the grill is tasty. You can't find it in every restaurant that offers seafood cuisine... Some meat dishes, like čevapčići or kebabs. The family has a small farm in Konavle and some products are from it. Nice terrace, good welcome, smiling. Family and friendly atmosphere

Next to the Benedictine monastery, this former barracks, recently renovated in modern wood, now serves as a restaurant. With its two openings, you can enjoy the sun on one of the south-facing terraces. The restaurant has already made its reputation on the Dubrovnik side. It offers a menu of tasty fish, beef with a local wine sauce (Dingac) and seasonal salads. The presentation is neat, as is the service. Lacroma is the more "gastro" version of the snack bar located just at the arrival on the island, near the port.

Opatija's fast food scene has expanded in recent years. Next to the Rozmarin restaurant (same family!), a stone's throw from the bus station and the sea, this one is both a bakery and a fast-food restaurant. For breakfast or brunch, toast, eggs-bacon, pastries, fresh fruit juices, coffee and tea. All day long, hot or cold drinks, cocktails, good burgers or wraps, meat or vegan, pizza slices, salads, ice creams, creams and cakes.

On the terrace, this konoba 's tables are lined with lavender plants, which attract butterflies. The view of the sea is breathtaking. For starters, we recommend anchovies marinated in olive oil on a bed of arugula, a platter of grilled seafood to share, grilled sea bass or squid fillets, with southern vegetables, blitva or fries. Tagliatelle with gambas, as well as grilled white meat, pizzas, cheese and regional charcuterie. Smiling service and reasonable prices for the island.

This restaurant has gone from a simple, hearty menu at reasonable prices to more sophisticated (and more expensive) offerings based around fisherman's cuisine. But it remains a safe bet in Dubrovnik. On the menu, healthy food, Greek or Parmesan salads, seafood platters with whole grilled fish, mussels and rice with dried ink, seafood tagliatelle, but also burgers, beef or fried sausages, among others. Fast service all day long. For dessert, try the delicious chocolate cake with ice cream.

From the Pile Gate, in the second narrow street on the left side of Stradun, you arrive at the Stari Grad. Whether you are a guest or not, you can go up to the^5th floor to discover the roof terrace and the spectacular view of the old town. The semi-gastronomic restaurant serves Dalmatian specialties, carefully prepared dishes based on fresh local market products, meat, fish and seafood. The desserts are also excellent. Reservations are recommended.

In the old town, it's sometimes hard to choose between the touristy signs side by side. But you won't be disappointed at Pupo. It serves breakfast (in the Pasticceria Pupica corner) and, for lunch and dinner, quality fisherman's cuisine: fish steak, risotto from the sea, shellfish and brudet, all at good value for money. For dessert, traditional cakes and pastries with citrus fruits, carrots and almonds, served with chocolate cream. Very pleasant atmosphere and friendly service.

Original terrace on wide steps at the foot of the cable car, close to the Ploče gate, and with a beautiful view of the sea and the old port. The Gusta Me menu features shellfish and fish ( buzara mussels, catch of the day, langoustines...), as well as seafood risotto and fresh pasta. For those with a more moderate appetite, lighter, less expensive dishes such as burgers and club sandwiches are available at lunchtime. In the evening, dine to the sound of acoustic music. The restaurant also serves delicious breakfasts.

Hidden behind a door on Rue Miha Pracata, this hard-to-find konoba in the old town is well worth the trip up the stairs! Here, local produce takes pride of place, with a modern twist and a taste for Asian-Dalmatian fusion (wok, sashimi...). From homemade pasta to fish dishes for two, as well as beef, duck and chicken specialties, the choice is vast. A big plus: an amazing wine list selected by the owner, a native of Pelješac.

A few wooden tables in the shade of a roof and a stone's throw from the sea, the smell of French fries, hamburgers and sausages... Divna's beach bar is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat or a drink and take a break from the scorching sun. As the beach offers little shelter from the sun, you won't be alone in choosing this little kiosk to eat, drink or simply relax in the shade. Avoid peak times, as you're likely to be waiting a long time. Our favorite dishes are fried squid and fried fish.

Makarska's seafront restaurants are packed in summer. If you're looking for a little peace and quiet at the table, set back from the riva, this grill-bar with shaded terrace overlooks a park. The à la carte menu offers a wide choice of dishes, including homemade soups, grilled meats and fish, tuna steak, fresh pasta, tagliatelle with shrimp and pine nuts, pizzas, grilled southern vegetables, fries and blitva. Generous plates for classic Adriatic dishes. Friendly service.

The family business set its tables in an alley of the old town. Think about booking because the address is successful. Specialties of the sea, salad of octopus, calamars or roasted sardines, tuna steaks, swordfish but also rolls of cheese cheese, dalmatium filet (sauce with toasted vegetables on polenta), pasta and pizza, all these dishes can accompany the red red wine. But… bread pays! The hotel also offers rooms for rent with formulas including breakfast, excursions and discounts on the restaurant menu.

In a former Habsburg-style villa, just a stone's throw from the market, a renowned restaurant in Pula. Chic bistro atmosphere with live music and good regional cuisine. Service in the morning, local cheese/cheese antipasti, vegetable soup, squid salad with fuzi (Istrian pasta), gnocchi with white truffle sauce, ravioli stuffed with smoked ham and white/cheese sauce, vegan dishes. Excellent Istrian wine list. Reservations recommended! In winter, the Kantina is closed, and the establishment refocuses on its café lounge.

In a beautiful village house, a restaurant where you can have lunch even late in the day and late in the evening, which is appreciable. Like most of the establishments on this seaside promenade, it is very busy in summer. It is therefore best to make reservations. Animated by a dynamic and friendly team, the restaurant offers good Dalmatian dishes (sea and local), pizzas and cream desserts in jars quite original. The service is fast and smiling, the portions generous. It is a nice place to have a pleasant meal at reasonable prices.

Sardegna offers pizza and delicious Italian recipes.