Gastronomy in Croatia

Restaurants, Food & Wine in Croatia

Along with its natural beauty, rich history dating to ancient times, pristine beaches and more than a thousand islands, Croatia is also becoming well known in world’s culinary and wine rungs. With locally sourced ingredients straight from the land and sea, you are sure to enjoy the freshest gastronomic delights in family run taverns and swanky restaurants alike. Some true foodie havens may require a hike or a drive along authentic Mediterranean village pathways,
but with the first mouthful of authentic food or sip of renowned Croatian wines, you will know your trip was well worth it.

Featured restaurants

Langusto fine dining restaurant

Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, Dubrovnik

Fresh seafood lobster and shellfish prepared by the best chefs make Langusto restaurant a memorable dining destination.

A la carte restaurant Spinnaker

Valamar Riviera Hotel, Poreč promenade

Gourmet Spinnaker restaurant serves favourite
Croatian and international dishes paired with exquisite
wines.

Krafi - Rabac

Considered the queen of pasta in Istria, krafi is one on the must try dishes of Rabac. Like a version of sweet ravioli, krafi are pasta squares filled with a blend of eggs, walnuts, raisins and cheese served warm in a sweet sauce.

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Istrian prosciutto - Poreč

One of Poreč’s most famed delicacies is Istrian prosciutto, cured ham that has been salted, seasoned with spices and smoked over a hearth. In Croatia it’s commonly enjoyed as an appetiser, cut into wafer-thin slices and served with cheese, olives and smoked sausages.

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Dubrovnik crème brulee

Deliciously creamy with a soft filling and a caramelized topping, Dubrovačka rožata, or Dubrovnik crème brulee, is the most famous and popular dessert in Dubrovnik, traditionally served with slices of fruit, syrup and cream.

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Smokvenjak - island of Krk

Smokvenjak is a taste that has been enjoyed at festivals and celebrations in Croatia throughout the ages. This traditional Krk delicacy made from dried figs, grape brandy and walnuts is normally served with an aperitif in Istria’s family-run taverns.

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Wild asparagus - Rabac

Springtime brings a taste of the Mediterranean countryside to restaurants in Croatia. During April, groups of elderly women sell bunches of wild asparagus from Rabac’s roadside, destined for dining tables throughout Istria. A favourite way to serve this seasonal delicacy is in a frijata, mixing asparagus tips with scrambled eggs.

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Šporki makaruli - Dubrovnik

Šporki makaruli or meat and macaroni is a classic dish served on celebration days in Dubrovnik. This savoury sauce of beef, onion, tomato, garlic, parsley and red wine is mixed with cinnamon-flavoured macaroni and topped with grated cheese – a delicious Croatian classic.

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Pag cheese - island of Pag

One dish that all visitors to Pag must try is the magnificent Pag cheese, considered to be the tastiest in Croatia. Its unique flavour and natural saltiness come from a combination of herbs consumed by the island’s sheep and the bora wind sending salty sea spray across the grazing pastures. From late winter to early summer the cheese is significantly softer and less strong than the riper cheese grated over Croatian dishes.

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Istrian supa - Rabac

An essential must try experience in Rabac is to share a jug of Istrian supa with a group of friends at a local tavern. Part drink, part soup, Istrian supa is a wonderfully original concoction of red wine, olive oil, pepper, sugar and toasted bread and is served in an earthenware jug.

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Krk Lamb - island of Krk

Krk lamb is renowned throughout Croatia for its exceptional flavour. Lambs feed on the scented Mediterranean herbs that grow in meadows across the island resulting in its distinct taste, making spit–roasted lamb one of the must try dishes of Istrian cuisine.

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Loin and sausages - Rabac

A must try in Croatia is the wonderfully seasoned dish of loin and sausages. This features on menus throughout Istria, but is a particular speciality in Rabac. Wine, garlic, rosemary and bay leaves are mixed with the choicest pork meat to create sensational tasting sausages grilled and served with sauerkraut.

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Arancini (candied orange rind) - Dubrovnik

Arancini are zesty snacks found in just about every household in Dubrovnik. These sugary, golden sweets are made by cooking strips of orange rind in sugared water which are then dried and decorated. Arancini make a perfect gift from Croatia for friends with a sweet tooth.

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Salted anchovies - island of Pag

A culinary treat that seafood lovers must try in Croatia is salted anchovies, small fish marinated in olive oil, vinegar and red onion. These tasty Adriatic morsels are a speciality of Pag, which has a tradition of salting fish and are served as a delicious starter in most of the island’s restaurants and taverns.

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