37 Best Restaurants in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

Candlelit tables and pršut (prosciutto) hanging from the raftered ceiling add to the atmosphere of this authentic stone-walled tavern on the steps between the main square and the fortress. Come here to share platters of locally produced, cold Dalmatian specialties such as kožji sir (goat cheese), salata od hobotnice (octopus salad), and masline (olives) or feast on wild boar and traditional pašticada (beef stew). Before leaving, round off your meal with pijane smokve (literally "drunken figs," figs marinated in brandy) and be sure to check out the world atlas, where guests sign on the pages of their hometowns.

Two of the area's most beloved chefs, married couple Sandra and Dane Tahirović, spearhead the restaurant. Their haute edgy takes on classic Adriatic cuisine can be enjoyed with a sea view on the outdoor terrace. 

Some of the mainstays on this restaurant's menu come directly from the Adriatic Sea, and many of the ingredients are sourced from across the Croatian mainland. Located within the palace walls, this relaxed spot requires turning a few corners to find it but the food and setting are worth the hunt. The carefully researched wine menu pairs well with sushi.

Small and low-key, this modern clean-lined restaurant is tucked away on the second floor of a 15th-century palazzo just off the main square. It's known for traditional Adriatic dishes made with fresh, locally sourced, and high-quality ingredients.

If you're looking for a quick bite for lunch on your way to the beach or after a late night out partying, this sandwich bar will do the trick. The salads and bread are made fresh and the portions are perfect. Arguola is in the center of Bol, across from the Ina gas station on the way to Zlatni Rat Beach. They can pack lunches to go and are great for a post-partying bite as well.

This funky restaurant serves exciting food with well-selected ingredients and offers a pretty rooftop on which to enjoy it all. The name doesn't just mean "artichoke" in Croatian: it's also a literal blend of "art" and čok (a nibble) because guests can enjoy both a fabulous visual experience—whether dining inside or alfresco—and fun modern bites. The attention to detail is notable, not only in the quality of the food but also in the presentation and service.

For a fun atmosphere where you can let loose (often to a live DJ's tunes) as you watch your pizza being made in the open kitchen, head here. This pizzeria offers a menu covering the classics as well as unique options, and staff can recommend one (or a few) of the restaurant's signature cocktails to accompany your pizza of choice.

Retreat to a quiet closed-in courtyard just a minute away from the main square and allow the Calebotta family to wow you with their first-class service and menu of fresh ingredients. The Dalmatian menu can seem long, so feel free to ask your waiter for recommendations. The bar is also a great place for an evening drink that can be enjoyed inside or on the sprawling terrace.

Hidden away in Skradin Bay, in a quiet location where the fresh waters from Krka National Park flow into the sea, Cantinetta is recognized among local residents as one of Skradin's best places to eat. Having grown from a humble family konoba to a serious culinary destination, this restaurant takes great pride in its well-preserved old recipes, passed on from generation to generation. Dishes like the renowned veal risotto, which must be slowly cooked for at least six hours and whose recipe is a family secret, must be ordered well in advance. Fresh seafood and great meat dishes at reasonable prices for a national park make this an easy choice after a long day sightseeing.

Decorated with a bit of the wit and themes from the beloved Italian comic strip about Corto Maltese, a seafaring adventurer, this lively restaurant offers traditional Croatian ingredients explained on a funny, irreverent menu. The chef prepares the dishes in an open kitchen, and both the kitchen staff and waitstaff are engaging and eager to offer recommendations.

Located in a quiet area a few miles out of town, Dvor offers up a superior rendition of Croatian seafood and professional service. Alfesco tables have outstanding views, and there's an outdoor grill as well as parking, which is a luxury in Split.

The cool atmosphere, bohemian furniture and decor, and original jewelry sold on-site all add up to a funky little place to go for a burger and a drink. The owners—a brother and sister team—are well-known Croatian singer Luka Nižetić (who won Croatian Master Chef in 2014) and fashion blogger Petra Nižetić Mastelić.

Tucked in a pretty stone alleyway, this restaurant just a three-minute walk east of the Hvar Town harbor regularly draws lines of people (reservations aren't possible, so be prepared for a wait). There's a small dimly lit interior, but the dark wooden tables outside are the best place to enjoy the affordable and healthy breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options, catered to international tastes with less focus on local flavors.

Located right on a beach on the Makarska Riviera, this casual restaurant is a great spot to fuel up on fresh seafood after a long day of swimming and sunbathing. If you time your dinner right, you can take in a sunset above the sea as you relax; you can make a reservation by phone and also check the seasonal closing, which depends on the number of customers.

Conceptualized in 1883 and opened in 1902 as a lobster house, this cleverly converted restaurant has platforms with tables built out above the water, and guests arriving via sailboat can berth here for free. The house specialty is—as you may have guessed—lobster, which guests can choose from live cages in the sea.

A seven-minute drive from the Old Town, Kadena serves Mediterranean seafood and meat dishes with a contemporary twist in a modern space. Don't miss Dalmatia's trademark salata od hobotnice (octopus salad) as an appetizer, and enjoy pairings with the rich wine list, full of local and global liquid treasures.

Sitting above the village of Dol, this family-run agritourism estate offers amazing vistas of the steep valley all the way to the sea. Inside, guests can step back in time with a tour through the 19th-century building before sitting down to a farm-fresh home-cooked meal. Order a grilled fish if you pop in unannounced and can't wait for the peka-cooked meals, or just take in the views over a slice of the local sweet cake, hrapaćuša. This stunning property is also an underrated wedding venue.

Relaxed and romantic, this typical Dalmatian restaurant has exposed stone walls and heavy wooden furniture. With fewer frills than some of Split's more modern eateries, it stays true to tradition, offering the classic fare expected from an authentic spot. Located just outside the palace walls, a five-minute walk from the Golden Gate, it is slightly hidden and easy to miss.

It is hard to spend more than a day on the island of Brač without giving in to the succulent aromas of roasted lamb, and many people claim this is the best place to enjoy the island delicacy. Farms on Brač take care to have their sheep feed only on their mother's milk and wild herbs, like the rosemary and sage that thrive on the rocky terrain. There is also a good selection of local wines from which you can trust your waiter to provide perfect pairings.

Family-owned Toni, in a typical Dalmatian house with a stone exterior and green window shutters, reflects the local vibe including the menu's ingredients and the staff's warm hospitality. Grilled fish, spit-roasted lamb and peka-cooked meals await diners, to be enjoyed on wooden tables in a stone interior or outside on a lovely terrace covered with grapevines.

This konoba south of Supetar offers meals local to Brač and the wider Dalmatia region, along with a stunning outdoor terrace that looks out onto the sea. As a family-run business tucked away in a rural olive-grove-enveloped area, Žiža is a good choice for travelers seeking an authentic island experience.

When you're ready for a change from traditional Croatian food, this upbeat fun restaurant-bar adjacent to Hvar Town's harbor serves meals from various global cuisines as well as delicious cocktails. Make a reservation ahead of time if you're arriving for dinner, as the music turns up and the crowds roll in when the sun goes down; Lola stays open late.

This morning-to-night restaurant is the perfect place to sit over coffee or a glass of local wine and absorb the 2,000 years of magnificent architecture surrounding you in the Old Town. Pop in for an omelet in the morning to fuel up for the day, enjoying your surroundings before the streets fill up with crowds.

Based in an elegant stone building in the Old Town, this welcoming family-run restaurant (formerly called Vanjaka) serves Dalmatian specialties. Sit outside on the open-air terrace, or take a table in the intimate air-conditioned dining room. Ask your waiter for a travarica (traditional Dalmatian herbal rakija) as an aperitif. 

Great care is taken to select and focus on the best local fresh ingredients at this sophisticated restaurant, tucked away in a picturesque courtyard off the main square of Hvar Town. The wine list is impressive and includes local standouts and a wide international selection.

In a modern glass-and-wood conservatory that looks onto a courtyard garden of orange and lemon trees, Pojoda makes for a popular spot among the sailing crowd that won't disappoint a food-savvy traveler either. During the summer, it can get crowded and service may be a bit inconsistent.

The restaurant in this renovated 18th-century water mill is well-known for miles around for its Dalmatian and grill dishes, served at tables under trees in a pretty riverside garden. It lies 6 km (4 miles) from Omiš, up the Cetina River Valley. For a fee, restaurant management also organizes excursions for visitors, from rafting to ziplining. 

Above the ACI Marina and at the foot of Marjan Hill, this mostly seafood restaurant has a light and airy, minimalist interior, as well as a summer terrace. In the spirit of slow food, the kitchen gives great care to fresh seasonal ingredients and presentation. The former owner, Zoran Grašo, is a retired basketball player, and his son Petar is a famous singer, so you may still spot some local celebrities from time to time among the diners.

Seafood and freshwater fish specialties, as well as traditional Croatian peka, are offered at this restaurant with a large riverside terrace and an indoor dining space. Both the main and dessert menus are long, so ask your waiter for a traditional recommendation depending on your mood. The restaurant lies 4 km (2½ mlesi) upstream from Omiš.

On the tiny island of Sveti Klement, a 20-minute taxi-boat ride from Hvar Town (or dock your sailboat in nearby ACI Marina), this terrace restaurant is backed by a romantic wilderness of Mediterranean flora and offers stunning views over the open sea. Besides wonderfully fresh seafood, dishes showcase local ingredients such as sheep's cheese, olives, and beef. The owners are the Meneghello family, whose ties to the island date back to 1906. They are well-known for their love of art and culture, as well as food: the walls are decorated with contemporary Croatian art.