Gourmet products local specialties and wines Îles Croates

This is where the highly sophisticated Rab almond tart(Rabskatorta) is made. Its origins date back to the 18th^century ,to Venetian times, and it was created by the Benedictine nuns. In 1996, the Vilma family, as did baker Božo Sokolić, continued to perpetuate the tradition of this very special cake. Since then, the rabskatorta recipe has become so popular that there are now two of the family's pastry shops in Rab-town, one in Zagreb and one in Rijeka. Other cakes, shortbread and typical island specialties are also sold.

In the historic city, you will find some quality souvenir shops, especially on Biskupa Draga, Skaline fra., A. Testena and Srednja ulica streets. A flourishing business, the boutique, which has several points of sale on the island, offers a wide choice of regional gourmet products: honeys, fruit pastes, cakes, the famous rabskatorta (Rab pie with almonds, olive oils, truffle condiments, cheeses, cold cuts, liqueurs, wines, but also natural cosmetics, essential oils, etc.)

Born on the island, Andro Tomić dedicated his life to wine and spent many years in France for perfecting in oenology. It produces 130,000 to 150,000 bottles per year, in red, white and rosé. In the summer, the winemaker offers tasting (in English or German). You can discover the varieties of the region, including plavac Mali, cabernet sauvignon, pošip or prošek, this traditional sweet wine produced in Dalmatia, which the Croats serve with dessert.

Certainly, the most famous pastry shop on the island, the one where people queue up for the cakes of the house Smiljana Matijaca. In the front of the shop, you will be tempted by the famous Cukarin, Klašun, Amareta, Marko Polo bombica. Harubica with carob seed, a natural supplement that is used in many cakes in Croatia. You will also find other gourmet products to treat yourself to, such as Ston salt scented with lavender, Dalmatian herb tea, homemade jams, Pelješac wines...

This small food store recently opened its doors not far from Korčula marina and bus station. Inside, you'll find a good selection of local wines and olive oils, as well as jams, spirits and other products from the region. The island of Korčula is renowned for its white wines, notably Grk, which can be found in Žižula, but also Pošip or Rukatac, which can also be found on the Pelješac peninsula. There are bottles to suit all budgets, and the staff can help you choose.

Tommy is the typical Dalmatian supermarket chain. The one on Orebić's main street is small and a bit messy, but you'll find all the essentials. There's a good selection of fresh and frozen foods, a small fish counter and a few shelves of local wines. Don't expect great quality, but for the basics, Orebić's Tommy does the trick. In summer, it's often very busy, and parking in front of the supermarket is rare.

You'll recognize this little bakery on Orebić's main street by its red and black sign. Inside, you'll find all the essentials for a day at the beach or a visit to the Pelješac vineyards: bread, burek, pizzas, croissants... Beware: the offer is limited (and the store rather small), so it's best to arrive early in the morning to stock up. Babić is a chain of bakeries found all along the Dalmatian coast, from Zadar to Dubrovnik, as well as on the island of Korčula.

Mike (Miljenko in Croatian) Grgić is a child of the country he left in 1954, heading for California, where he successfully embarked on a career in viticulture. He returned to Croatia in 1996 to establish himself on the Pelješac peninsula, one of the country's most renowned wine-growing regions. Today, Mike, who is rarely seen on site, has become the international star of the region's winemakers... He produces mainly pošip (white wine) and plavac mali (red wine). His cellar, more of a boutique wine bar, organizes popular tastings.

A few kilometres past Trstenik, on the road to Orebić, the Matuško winery has made a name for itself in the production of Dingač, the region's high-strength red wine (14.5 degrees). It is actually a registered designation, since the grape variety used is called plavac mali. In the tasting and sales shop you will find other wines, champagne, liqueurs and olive oil. The restaurant, which is located next to the vineyards, overlooks the sea. It serves local cuisine, land and sea, accompanied, of course, by the house wines.

Between the villages of Oskorušno and Potomje, there is Donja Banda, a place that concentrates the best wineries and vintages of the region, including those of Philipp Vina's slopes or those of Matuško and his brother Boris Violić. At the boutique wine bar, you will be offered tasting moments with local dishes. A moment that will please all fans of good wines. In the sales area, bottles of wines and liqueurs, regional gourmet products. Only good things to bring back as a souvenir for yourself or to offer, a gift without fail.

The Ledinić family produces wine on the peninsula and runs a small wine bar in the old town of Ston. It sells alcoholic beverages, mainly grand cru red wine (plavac mali vintage) and homemade liqueurs, bottled in attractive bottles. Also offers olive oil and other artisanal products. Perfect for finding gourmet treats for yourself. From spring to autumn, the family business opens rooms for tourists (seasonal rentals). A warm welcome.

A few kilometers from Ston, it is as if the Miloš opened the Pelješac wine road. A part of their hundred-year-old cellar is dug in the rock. Here, as a little everywhere on the peninsula, we do a lot of things by hand, starting with the weeding of the vines - which gives excellent organic herbal teas - and the work of wine, of course. The Miloš family produces in small quantities, rosé, red, Plavać Mali (Stagnum) wines and organic olive oil. Very good reception, oenological tour, photo exhibition about the vineyard, tasting-sale.

The small market held daily on Pjevor Square is the ideal place to buy fresh fish and seasonal fruit and vegetables, but for everything else, there's Studenac. This small supermarket is well stocked with everything you need for everyday life: from hygiene products to beach products, cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer and other spirits. The only supermarket in the center of Lastovo, Studenac is often crowded. Be patient and take your time shopping.