22 Best Restaurants in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

A funky garden restaurant, this tavern offers something refreshingly different on the island of Vis, whether you dine in the bar area or alfresco in the main restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food is fresh, and most of the vegetables come from Lola's own garden on the mainland. The innovative dishes are sure to hit the spot, and they also have great cocktails.

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.

On the waterfront of Prvić Harbor, Maslina ("Olive") is an authentic konoba with a pretty tree-covered stone patio that is surrounded by fairy lights and looks out onto the sea. You can try all of the classics here, from fresh-caught shellfish to hearty Dalmatian stews.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This excellent spot gives traditional Dalmatian meals a modern and creative twist atypical for a konoba in Dalmatia. Nostalgija (meaning "nostalgia") also provides a drink menu with local wines and craft beer, as well as cocktails based on Croatian classics such as rakija. Knowledgeable hospitable staff create a homey atmosphere for guests who, weather permitting, can dine alfresco on the cobblestone terrace flanked by Mediterranean plants.

Widely acknowledged to be the best restaurant on the island, Triton is particularly popular with those traveling by sailboat, who can moor up on a small quay out front (at a cost) and feast on dishes like freshly caught fish with locally produced wine and olive oil; it opens at 3 pm. You'll find it in Zaklopatica, a north-facing bay 3 km (2 miles) west of Lastovo Town. There are several apartments to rent upstairs, too, which are also considered among the island's best.

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.

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.

This cozy restaurant has become popular because of its reasonably priced menu and quaint atmosphere. The Italo-Dalmatian menu features pasta dishes, seafood risottos, and old-fashioned local fish specialties such as škampi na buzaru (scampi in red sauce) and pečene srdele s blitvom (grilled sardines with chard).

Stop in at Uje and sample some of the region's best olive oil, as well as a choice selection of Croatian cheese, prosciutto, and wine. This quaint back-alley tapas bar bases its menu on delicious olive oil, changes meals according to season, and sources many ingredients from local organic family farms.

This restaurant in a natural stone building is a favorite among the yachting crowd, in part because of its location near the ACI Marina Skradin. It's aptly named Zlatne školjke, which means "golden shells," because of the plethora of shellfish farms nearby. A sommelier can help you choose a wine, but a glass of local Debit white wine is a wise choice to complement a visit.