Pag Island
Travellers rate this place highly for its fine setting, tasty grilled lamb and enticing range of flavours that include local Pag cheese. It also does…
Must-see restaurants in Croatia
Istria's West Coast
Located 5km out of Umag on the road towards the Slovenian border, this much-lauded tavern serves the best thin-crust pizza, pastas and dry-aged steaks in…
Zadar
Sitting pretty in a prime harbour-front spot, this elegant place has always been one of Zadar’s best restaurants. The cooking marries fresh Croatian…
Pag Island
This dependable, casual and highly popular place has a little front terrace facing the salt flats and another more intimate space with plenty of shade…
Rijeka
Aged Dalmatian beef, brilliant tuna steaks, terrific octopus starters – the excellent cooking at Placa 51 spans a good range of northern Croatian cuisine…
Central & Eastern Istria
This low-key locals' favourite is worth the drive for its unassuming vibe and honest, simple fare featuring Istrian dishes, many with truffles. From…
Northern Dalmatia
With its sea-facing terrace and fresh seafood, Konoba Bepo has picked up on an enduringly successful Croatian theme. Service is fast and friendly, and the…
Pula
The upstairs dining room of this popular cafe-bar serves tacos, pork ribs, stir fries and spring rolls – but it's included here on the strength of its…
Split
Chops, steak, chicken breast, duck breast, tuna, sea bass, lobster, scampi – you name it, they'll grill it. Don't skimp on the sides; the truffle mash is…
Stari Grad
'George's Cellar' has bucketloads of atmosphere, courtesy of old stone walls, woven wicker lamps and a couple of tables outside in the lane. The menu…
Cres Island
The stone dining room bedecked with the agricultural implements of yesteryear creates a suitably rustic setting in which to enjoy locally flavoured…
Rijeka
A stylish, contemporary restaurant with art, exposed brickwork and hip seating that offers delicious and filling portions of pasta, pizza, salads and meat…
Central & Eastern Istria
Dominating Labin's Tito Square, this popular, vine-shaded, multitasking spot serves everything from brunch to beefsteaks. Grab a seat on the street for…
Hvar Town
Hit this buzzing hole-in-the-wall place for top-notch cocktails and a globetrotting range of tasty snacks: everything from empanadas and burgers to pulled…
Zagreb
Brunch fans come here for their eggs Benedict while at lunchtime local office workers crowd in for sandwiches, salads and daily specials such as risotto…
Poreč
Loud rock music fills this bright little joint, where a dozen different meaty burgers are served, and one vegetarian one, with local craft beer to wash it…
Cres Island
Of Valun's handful of restaurants, this one stands out for its seafood and its attractive terrace emblazoned with Glagolitic writing. It’s inside a…
Rijeka
This unassuming restaurant is popular with locals during the day as a cafe, but its meals are particularly good – try the grilled vegetables or the smoked…
Šibenik
This well-regarded old-town restaurant has a lovely elevated terrace on a little square and dining rooms spread over two floors. You’ll find lots of…
Zadar
The Zadar outpost of this nationwide chain is the best bakery in town. It's great for a snack or breakfast on the run, with wholemeal bread, croissants,…
Mali Lošinj
Up over the hill on the eastern side of town, this fine, family-run seafood buffet enjoys a pretty bay location next to a church. Fish fillet with sea…
Northern Dalmatia
Just across the bridge from the old town, Gostionica Burela is a fairly standard Croatian seaside restaurant – plenty of steak, seafood and pasta – but…
Zagreb
Delve into the traditional cuisine of the Neretva River delta in Dalmatia's hinterland at this rustic Upper Town tavern. Grilled eel, snails on polenta…
Rovinj
Right by the green market, this tiny place is a great spot for coffee, sandwiches and people-watching. Or come back after the beach for a glass of wine…
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Traditional meat grills are the speciality here, especially spit-roast lamb and suckling pig. If you've got your own transport, it's well worth the 14km…
Zadar
This wildly popular hotel restaurant is great for grilled fish and other seafood, though the menu has red meat and vegetarian dishes, too. It's your best…
Vis Island
Set on a pretty sandy beach, this relaxed eatery serves excellent grilled squid and fish under the shade of palms, pines and a wooden pergola. Order a…
Northern Dalmatia
Sali's best place to eat is this harbourside tavern specialising in local seafood fresh off the boat. The service is excellent and the owners produce…
Zagreb
Italian is the name of the game in this cellar restaurant owned by Croatian football star Zvonimir Boban. Tuck into hearty portions of homemade pasta and…
Zagreb
You ain't been to Zagreb if you haven't had a Pingvin sandwich. This fast-food joint has been churning out chicken fillets and burgers, stuffed in pita…
Brač Island
This fabulously located restaurant has a beach terrace overlooking the sea. As well as Dalmatian favourites (fish, squid and the like), there's also…
Rijeka
Fresh fish and seafood are the stars of the show at this bright and breezy restaurant in a somewhat grimy location by the port. It's a good place to try…
Pula
Best for a quick and wholesome bite, this tiny sandwich-and-salad bar serves sandwiches, toasted panini, tortillas and extremely fresh-looking salads. If…
Zagreb
This hole-in-the-wall locals’ lunch favourite serves fresh seafood straight from the market next door, paired with off-the-stalls vegies. There's a few…
Cres Island
Tuck into home cooking – such as dependable risottos, grilled meat and fish, and traditional pork with sage – in a particularly lovely garden setting…
Zagreb
Many locals regard this cafe as one of Zagreb's best cake-and-coffee stops. Seasonal specialities such as plum cake in summer are particularly good. On…
Central & Eastern Istria
This delightful stone tavern in the hamlet of Klarići, 10km south of Svetvinčenat, serves superb homemade Istrian pastas and its own exquisite wines. In…
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…
Zagreb
The best bakery in town churns out an impressive variety of baked goodies. Try the bučnica (filo pie with pumpkin). Another branch is at Preradovićeva 1.
Northern Dalmatia
Quite a find out here in the back blocks, Bistro Travel does excellent pizzas, as well as tasty inland fare (the steaks are especially good) and some…
