Kvarner
At slow-food pioneer Nenad Kukurin's wonderful hotel-restaurant there's no menu, so you need to be prepared to place your trust in the staff. Tell them…
Must-see restaurants in Croatia
Split
This cosy, rustic tavern, in an alleyway minutes from the seafront, specialises in well-prepared seafood – as epitomised in its perfectly cooked fish…
Cavtat
Not just the best place on Cavtat's seafront strip, Bugenvila is one of the culinary trendsetters of the Dalmatian coast. Local ingredients are showcased…
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik's glitziest restaurant offers fine dining at its best, with flavoursome, beautifully presented, creative cuisine, an impressive wine list and…
Dubrovnik
This breezy bistro aligns its menu with the seasons and has a reputation for exceptional homemade bread, pasta and risotto, alongside the likes of steaks,…
Zagreb
This earthy-toned spot by star chef Ana Ugarkoviċ is all about small plates, with influences cherry-picked from across the Mediterranean, the Middle East…
Dubrovnik
Nautika bills itself as 'Dubrovnik's finest restaurant' and it comes pretty close. The setting is sublime, overlooking the sea and the city walls, and the…
Krk Island
Just outside the old town, this rustic place is renowned for its Krk cooking and produces its own olive oil, as evidenced by the large traditional press…
Central & Eastern Istria
Foodies from afar come to this destination restaurant belonging to Istria's top truffle company, located a few kilometres below Motovun in the village of…
Split
Offering great-quality Dalmatian fare, this friendly little Veli Varoš tavern features daily specials such as cuttlefish brujet (a flavour-packed seafood…
Pag Island
Eateries on the main square of a town are usually best avoided: they don't have to work as hard to bring in diners as places elsewhere. But this fine bar…
Southern Dalmatia
There's no better place to soak up the scenery than the terrace of this exceptional family-run restaurant, specialising in modern takes on Dalmatian…
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Built in 1972 and fully rebuilt in traditional stone-walled style in 2015 after burning to the ground three years earlier, Lička Kuća is touristy and…
Zagreb
High up on villa-lined Jurjevska steet, this restaurant run by chef Marin Rendić, who previously worked at Copenhagen's Noma, serves up Zagreb's suavest…
Split
Accessed by a discreet door on the waterfront promenade, this upstairs restaurant serves sophisticated modern Mediterranean dishes that look as divine as…
Opatija
A marble pathway leads to this striking restaurant, which enjoys a huge ocean-facing terrace complete with Grecian columns and hip monochrome seating. The…
Rijeka
Straddling the line between modern and traditional Croatian fare, this slightly upmarket riverside restaurant serves lots of seafood, along with selected…
Northern Dalmatia
Mediteran centres on a lovely old stone building, although in summer the action moves into the courtyard and up to the little 1st-floor terrace. Chef Pero…
Slavonia
In the village of Zmajevac, Josić is on a historic surduk (wine road) that leads up a steep hill. It's an upmarket restaurant with tables set in vaulted…
Central & Eastern Istria
Located 5km northwest of Pazin in the hilltop village of Beram, this rural tavern serves some of the best handmade pasta, gnocchi and truffle dishes you…
Zadar
One of the classiest dining experiences in Zadar, Corte Vino & More in the Al Mayer Heritage Hotel has a gorgeous setting, wonderfully attentive service…
Zadar
Hotel Bastion's fine-dining restaurant offers contemporary takes on classic Croatian cuisine (octopus stew, stuffed squid, Pag cheese). France and Italy…
Cres Island
Cres lamb gets top billing at this down-to-earth village restaurant, which has been run by the same family for well over three decades. Try the lamb…
Krk Island
Nada is a great place to sample local favourites such as Krk lamb or šurlice (noodles) topped with meat goulash. There are two attractive dining terraces …
Split
Informal and family-run, with a TV screening sports in the corner, Fetivi feels more like a tavern than most that bear the konoba name. However, that…
Istria's West Coast
Both situated by and helmed by a Marina (hot-shot chef Marina Gaši), this inventive restaurant serves seafood dishes that manage to be both playful and…
Pula
This family-run tavern is well worth a trek to Banjole, 6km south of central Pula. It only serves seafood, and it's some of the best, most creative and…
Krk Island
Part of the Gospoja wine empire, this elegant place does the usual range of grilled fish and meat dishes, as well as an excellent seafood risotto. But it…
Brač Island
Sit by the open fire in Vinotoka's stone-walled dining room or, when it warms up, grab a table on the street or in the large, glassed-in terrace across…
Vis Island
Locals in the know rave about this seafood restaurant, its leafy courtyard dotted with bamboo, orange and lemon trees. For a winter warm-up, try the…
Šibenik
Responsible for upping the culinary ante in Šibenik, this wonderful restaurant raids the globe for flavours, with influences from Japan and France, but…
Motovun
Just before the outer town gate, this little tavern with a small side terrace serves imaginatively conceived and poshly presented Istrian mainstays, many…
Ston & Mali Ston
The 'Captain's House' is one of the most venerable seafood restaurants in the region. Feast on Ston oysters and grilled squid on the shady terrace, but…
Poreč
In the sweet little village of Veleniki, 5km east of Poreč, this rustic, family-run tavern is known for its steak tartare, huge beefsteaks, ravioli…
Lošinj Island
Truffle heaven, this casual-chic restaurant, Veli Lošinj's best, has an Italian chef and a passion for the mysterious fungi. Feast on delicious homemade…
Split
Spilling onto a surprisingly quiet square at the heart of Diocletian's Palace, Portofino will charm the pants off you with its friendly service, elegant…
Zadar
With exposed stone walls inside and a pretty terrace lined with olive trees, this is an atmospheric place to tuck into Dalmatian soups and stews, homemade…
Rijeka
Amid the unappealing industrial surrounds of Rijeka's port, this lovely little white-wood bistro serves up excellent fish dishes, as well as a few grilled…
Opatija
This unassuming family-run restaurant specialises in big flavours and generous portions: feast on roast veal shanks, roast octopus, game stew, turkey,…
Krk Island
Quality seafood dishes are on offer here – the black seafood risotto is something of a local institution. Try the scallops with cauliflower cream and the…
