Where to eat in Croatia: our favorite restaurants

In Croatia the best place is often the one far from the tourist center of the Stradun, where you pay more for the views than for the food. These are the ones we recommend.

Dubrovnik

• Restaurant 360: fine dining, Michelin star, on the walls. For a special night.
• Nautika: top-level fresh seafood, with views of Fort Lovrijenac.
• Kopun: specializing in Dalmatian capon, traditional cooking with a gourmet touch.
• Proto: a classic with over a century of history, for fish and seafood.
• Taj Mahal Dubrovnik: Balkan and Bosnian food, with cevapi and burek.
• Barba: gourmet sea street food, ideal for a first taste.
• Nishta: the best vegetarian and vegan option in the city.
• Konoba Dubrava: traditional Dalmatian cooking in the heights of Bosanka, in a less touristy setting.

Hvar

• Giaxa: elegant and traditional, in a historic building. For a slightly more special dinner.
• Dalmatino: modern Dalmatian cooking, with truffle pasta, very popular.
• Konoba Menego: one of the longest-established places in the old town, with traditional cooking and a rustic setting.
• Fig Hvar: modern and healthy, with tacos, bowls and vegetarian options.
• Junk Food Hvar: casual and with quality ingredients, for a quick meal between the beach and the beach club.

Pakleni Islands

• Laganini Lounge Bar & Fish House: a premium beach restaurant by the sea, with fresh fish and the experience of eating with your feet almost in the water. Many coves also have small family-run snack shacks: if you see one with the grill lit and local people, that's a good sign.

Avoid the restaurants on the front line of the Stradun. You pay more for the views than for the food.

Our recommendation

One special dinner at Restaurant 360 or Giaxa, and the rest at simple places. On Pakleni, cash is still necessary. You'll find the day-by-day plan in our 7-day Croatia itinerary, and the experiences in best things to do in Croatia.