WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN ZADAR
Gastronomska scena
The Kornat restaurant is situated on the waterfront of Zadar, overlooking the sea and the ships sailing in and out of the harbour. Its interior, quite atypical for the seaside restaurant, has been renovated in a sort of classic, fin-de-siècle, style. It is dominated by the warm reddish colours of the wooden wall panels, the hardwood floor, the dark red and black medallion chairs with bright frames, and the elegantly arranged tables covered with white tablecloths. The large glass panels open to the harbour. The menu of the Kornat restaurant features a large selection of Mediterranean dishes with a distinctive Italian influence. Unless you have a special dish in mind when you visit, it will be hard to decide what to order. Among a whole range of appetizers, you can find some great cold ones, such as bresaola carpaccio, millefoglie of tuna, monkfish and Nori on daikon carpaccio, and some warm ones like ravioli carbonara with crunchy artichokes, or black risotto with cuttlefish and broad bean cream. Meat lovers can also enjoy ossobuco with polenta gratin, Fiorentina steak, Black Angus costata and even fillets of the exclusive Wagyu-Kobe Japanese beef. Of course, there is also a variety of daily caught fish, such as redfish, sea bream and John Dory, as well as calamari, scampi and lobster. All the dishes were nicely prepared.
62 persone del luogo consigliano
Kornat
6 Liburnska obalaThe Kornat restaurant is situated on the waterfront of Zadar, overlooking the sea and the ships sailing in and out of the harbour. Its interior, quite atypical for the seaside restaurant, has been renovated in a sort of classic, fin-de-siècle, style. It is dominated by the warm reddish colours of the wooden wall panels, the hardwood floor, the dark red and black medallion chairs with bright frames, and the elegantly arranged tables covered with white tablecloths. The large glass panels open to the harbour. The menu of the Kornat restaurant features a large selection of Mediterranean dishes with a distinctive Italian influence. Unless you have a special dish in mind when you visit, it will be hard to decide what to order. Among a whole range of appetizers, you can find some great cold ones, such as bresaola carpaccio, millefoglie of tuna, monkfish and Nori on daikon carpaccio, and some warm ones like ravioli carbonara with crunchy artichokes, or black risotto with cuttlefish and broad bean cream. Meat lovers can also enjoy ossobuco with polenta gratin, Fiorentina steak, Black Angus costata and even fillets of the exclusive Wagyu-Kobe Japanese beef. Of course, there is also a variety of daily caught fish, such as redfish, sea bream and John Dory, as well as calamari, scampi and lobster. All the dishes were nicely prepared.
Opat tavern is situated between the rocks and the sea in the magical surroundings of the Opat bay on the island of Kornat. A favourite foodie destination for sailing enthusiasts enjoying the Adriatic in the summer, the Opat tavern has a private quay with about thirty berths, where large yachts are always moored. The tavern itself is spacious and can accommodate about one hundred people. You will be welcomed by the owner and chef Ante Božikov, one of the most popular chefs in the area. His cuisine is based on freshly caught fish, lobsters, shrimp and various shellfish. The spices adding flavour to his dishes are wild aromatic herbs that grow among the Kornati stones. Ante, who used to go fishing with his father from a very young age, can tell you everything about anything residing in the blue sea surrounding this magical place. After his decision to permanently reside in Opat some twenty years ago, this former destination for Robinson Crusoe type of tourist was converted into a foodie oasis, specifically for seafood lovers. You will be impressed by both the carpaccio and tartare dishes made from all types of fish they offer, especially when you remember that they were still swimming in the sea just a few hours before. The dishes are presented on large wooden boards with some capers, pine nuts and freshly picked aromatic herbs of the archipelago. You should definitely taste pasta dishes or the lobster risotto. There are only few restaurants that feature food of such a high quality. In addition to raw fish dishes, they also prepare a very good brodetto, which will delight you with the superb quality of ingredients. At the end of the meal, your hosts in Opat will offer you some very tasty desserts. The only thing you’ll wish for when you leave this place is to return as soon as you can.
Konoba Opat
Opat tavern is situated between the rocks and the sea in the magical surroundings of the Opat bay on the island of Kornat. A favourite foodie destination for sailing enthusiasts enjoying the Adriatic in the summer, the Opat tavern has a private quay with about thirty berths, where large yachts are always moored. The tavern itself is spacious and can accommodate about one hundred people. You will be welcomed by the owner and chef Ante Božikov, one of the most popular chefs in the area. His cuisine is based on freshly caught fish, lobsters, shrimp and various shellfish. The spices adding flavour to his dishes are wild aromatic herbs that grow among the Kornati stones. Ante, who used to go fishing with his father from a very young age, can tell you everything about anything residing in the blue sea surrounding this magical place. After his decision to permanently reside in Opat some twenty years ago, this former destination for Robinson Crusoe type of tourist was converted into a foodie oasis, specifically for seafood lovers. You will be impressed by both the carpaccio and tartare dishes made from all types of fish they offer, especially when you remember that they were still swimming in the sea just a few hours before. The dishes are presented on large wooden boards with some capers, pine nuts and freshly picked aromatic herbs of the archipelago. You should definitely taste pasta dishes or the lobster risotto. There are only few restaurants that feature food of such a high quality. In addition to raw fish dishes, they also prepare a very good brodetto, which will delight you with the superb quality of ingredients. At the end of the meal, your hosts in Opat will offer you some very tasty desserts. The only thing you’ll wish for when you leave this place is to return as soon as you can.
Boba tavern is located in a small street in Murter, very close to the sea. This large tavern, featuring a spacious terrace dominated by a big bread oven and overlooking part of the kitchen, is a delightfully decorated and very comfy restaurant, where chef Vjeko Bašić prepares his own versions of traditional local cuisine. Seafood and fish dishes are very popular, but the quality of other dishes is no less exceptional. The food is carefully made and presented in a very attractive way, showcasing an inspired blend of tradition and modern elements of culinary art. Especially impressive fresh fish dishes are seasoned to perfection, while freshly baked bread and rolls are served with every course. Various carpaccio and tartare dishes of white fish and tuna with various emulsions of lemon, oil, and sea urchin mayonnaise were served to us on a large platter. We also ordered first class wild oysters that arrived to our table on ice. A more contemporary version of the Murter brodetto 2018 was perhaps slightly less rich in flavour than what the original recipe would normally be. But the Kornati maništrun, a traditional cuttlefish and chickpea stew really made us happy. As usual, one of chef Bašić’s signature dishes, tagliolini with sea urchin caviar, was outstanding. The grilled swordfish was cooked perfectly, the flesh remained juicy and retained the richness of flavours and aromas. The wine list of the tavern is quite extensive and includes the best Croatian and international wines. The staff is very polite. Dining in the Boba tavern, one of the best restaurants in this part of Dalmatia, run by chef Vjeko Bašič, awarded as the Gault&Millau chef of the Year 2018, is truly a memorable gastronomic experience, so make sure to book your table in advance.
54 persone del luogo consigliano
Konoba Boba
22 Ul. ButinaBoba tavern is located in a small street in Murter, very close to the sea. This large tavern, featuring a spacious terrace dominated by a big bread oven and overlooking part of the kitchen, is a delightfully decorated and very comfy restaurant, where chef Vjeko Bašić prepares his own versions of traditional local cuisine. Seafood and fish dishes are very popular, but the quality of other dishes is no less exceptional. The food is carefully made and presented in a very attractive way, showcasing an inspired blend of tradition and modern elements of culinary art. Especially impressive fresh fish dishes are seasoned to perfection, while freshly baked bread and rolls are served with every course. Various carpaccio and tartare dishes of white fish and tuna with various emulsions of lemon, oil, and sea urchin mayonnaise were served to us on a large platter. We also ordered first class wild oysters that arrived to our table on ice. A more contemporary version of the Murter brodetto 2018 was perhaps slightly less rich in flavour than what the original recipe would normally be. But the Kornati maništrun, a traditional cuttlefish and chickpea stew really made us happy. As usual, one of chef Bašić’s signature dishes, tagliolini with sea urchin caviar, was outstanding. The grilled swordfish was cooked perfectly, the flesh remained juicy and retained the richness of flavours and aromas. The wine list of the tavern is quite extensive and includes the best Croatian and international wines. The staff is very polite. Dining in the Boba tavern, one of the best restaurants in this part of Dalmatia, run by chef Vjeko Bašič, awarded as the Gault&Millau chef of the Year 2018, is truly a memorable gastronomic experience, so make sure to book your table in advance.
Foša Restaurant is certainly one of the best restaurants in Zadar region. Not only because of its prime location in the old fishing port of the same name, at the entrance to the old part of Zadar, by the famous Land Gate, but also due to the offer of food and wine that is top-notch. The dishes at Foša are based on Mediterranean cuisine and excellent seafood. Tuna, like all other fish and seafood, is always fresh and first class. The dishes are balanced, precisely presented and as simple as some of them are, they are always carefully thought out and successfully implemented. We were immediately delighted by the amuse-bouche - small fried balls with a sparkling sea filling, a pure taste of the sea. The fish soup was excellent, with intense flavors and aromas and pieces of various fish. One of the best fish soups we have tasted in Dalmatian restaurants. And then the tuna carpaccio, again top-notch - both for the cut of the wild tuna meat, which was tender, soft, without veins and for the balanced spices. Zadar is known for the best quality of tuna, but it couldn’t have been better than this. We continued with the roasted sea bass fillet with a great potato salad, a simple but extremely tasty dish. Our only remark relates to the dessert: a cream ball filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry jelly. It was good but not in the ranking of the other dishes at this restaurant that delighted us. Foša is a gourmet address in Zadar that you should’t miss. If you can, go there for a dinner, because this is when they have the best team in the kitchen.
198 persone del luogo consigliano
Foša
2 Ul. kralja Dmitra ZvonimiraFoša Restaurant is certainly one of the best restaurants in Zadar region. Not only because of its prime location in the old fishing port of the same name, at the entrance to the old part of Zadar, by the famous Land Gate, but also due to the offer of food and wine that is top-notch. The dishes at Foša are based on Mediterranean cuisine and excellent seafood. Tuna, like all other fish and seafood, is always fresh and first class. The dishes are balanced, precisely presented and as simple as some of them are, they are always carefully thought out and successfully implemented. We were immediately delighted by the amuse-bouche - small fried balls with a sparkling sea filling, a pure taste of the sea. The fish soup was excellent, with intense flavors and aromas and pieces of various fish. One of the best fish soups we have tasted in Dalmatian restaurants. And then the tuna carpaccio, again top-notch - both for the cut of the wild tuna meat, which was tender, soft, without veins and for the balanced spices. Zadar is known for the best quality of tuna, but it couldn’t have been better than this. We continued with the roasted sea bass fillet with a great potato salad, a simple but extremely tasty dish. Our only remark relates to the dessert: a cream ball filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry jelly. It was good but not in the ranking of the other dishes at this restaurant that delighted us. Foša is a gourmet address in Zadar that you should’t miss. If you can, go there for a dinner, because this is when they have the best team in the kitchen.
Restaurant Bruschetta is an inexpensive lunch or dinner spot which mixes traditional Italian and Dalmatian cuisines. A wide-ranging menu, small wine list and lots of spirits come paired with excellent service. Tables for dinner can be harder to come by in the evenings without a booking but there’s an expansive terrace within earshot of the lapping Adriatic, ideal when the weather’s mild or warm.
413 persone del luogo consigliano
Restoran Bruschetta
12 Ul. Mihovila Pavlinovića
Restaurant Bruschetta is an inexpensive lunch or dinner spot which mixes traditional Italian and Dalmatian cuisines. A wide-ranging menu, small wine list and lots of spirits come paired with excellent service. Tables for dinner can be harder to come by in the evenings without a booking but there’s an expansive terrace within earshot of the lapping Adriatic, ideal when the weather’s mild or warm.
Konoba Pet Bunara are located beside one another near the Five Walls Square. Pet Bunara takes the name of the square it’s located on (in Croatian pet bunara means ‘five wells’). The grilled lamb chops were delicious, baked exactly as they should be, juicy and tasty.
The restaurant has a huge wine list and is particularly passionate about orange wine, which we loved.
119 persone del luogo consigliano
Pet Bunara
1 Stratico ul.Konoba Pet Bunara are located beside one another near the Five Walls Square. Pet Bunara takes the name of the square it’s located on (in Croatian pet bunara means ‘five wells’). The grilled lamb chops were delicious, baked exactly as they should be, juicy and tasty.
The restaurant has a huge wine list and is particularly passionate about orange wine, which we loved.
Niko is an old family restaurant with a tradition of good fish and seafood. The restaurant is located by the sea, in Puntamika, not far from Zadar. The very friendly owner and his staff will welcome you cheerfully and stay at your disposal all the time. Whatever you choose it will be equally good. Whether it’s a traditional clams buzara, a typical dalmatian way of preparing shellfish with white wine, garlic and fresh parsley, or great fish soups, or grilled fish and grilled scampi, with the standard side dishes, as mangold and mixed salad, everything will always be standard quality. In addition to having fresh fish on a daily basis, there is a large aquarium with fish and lobsters at the restaurant. The wine list is a classic one, with Croatian wines. The restaurant needs a minor renovation or refreshment of the interior. If you are looking for a good traditional Dalmatian restaurant, Niko is the place for you.
73 persone del luogo consigliano
Hotel Niko
9 Obala kneza DomagojaNiko is an old family restaurant with a tradition of good fish and seafood. The restaurant is located by the sea, in Puntamika, not far from Zadar. The very friendly owner and his staff will welcome you cheerfully and stay at your disposal all the time. Whatever you choose it will be equally good. Whether it’s a traditional clams buzara, a typical dalmatian way of preparing shellfish with white wine, garlic and fresh parsley, or great fish soups, or grilled fish and grilled scampi, with the standard side dishes, as mangold and mixed salad, everything will always be standard quality. In addition to having fresh fish on a daily basis, there is a large aquarium with fish and lobsters at the restaurant. The wine list is a classic one, with Croatian wines. The restaurant needs a minor renovation or refreshment of the interior. If you are looking for a good traditional Dalmatian restaurant, Niko is the place for you.
If you are looking for a different place for lunch or dinner, you can find nothing better than the Maškovića Han restaurant near Lake Vrana. As part of the historic building, whose construction began in 1644, there was a mosque that nowadays houses the restaurant. As soon as you enter into the housing complex of Maškovića Han you will feel as if you have entered into a medieval fairy tale. Before you go to the restaurant, be sure to visit this nicely renovated ancient building and the museum located within Maškovića Han. In the restaurant itself, traces of the past can be seen in the arches around the windows and doors that used to be part of the mosque. You will like the interior with stone walls and modern wooden tables decorated with elegant china. At Mašković Han, they serve Mediterranean and Oriental food. They use local and seasonal ingredients and the waiters are happy to explain which are the best. They bake their own bread. Try the Maškovic platter with chicken served with peaches, beef meatballs, veal and lamb, and plenty of vegetables, along with spicy tomato and ginger sauce. We also tasted the vine leaf dolma. There is no pork meat in the oriental dishes, but you can order prosciutto and bacon and even kulen (a kind of chorizo) for starters. You can also order traditional Dalmatian dishes with Adriatic fish and seafood. For dessert, be sure to try the pistachio baklava. Many say it is better than in Turkey. There are mostly local wines on the wine list. As we said at the beginning, Masković Han will give you a different experience.
50 persone del luogo consigliano
Maškovića Han Vrana
If you are looking for a different place for lunch or dinner, you can find nothing better than the Maškovića Han restaurant near Lake Vrana. As part of the historic building, whose construction began in 1644, there was a mosque that nowadays houses the restaurant. As soon as you enter into the housing complex of Maškovića Han you will feel as if you have entered into a medieval fairy tale. Before you go to the restaurant, be sure to visit this nicely renovated ancient building and the museum located within Maškovića Han. In the restaurant itself, traces of the past can be seen in the arches around the windows and doors that used to be part of the mosque. You will like the interior with stone walls and modern wooden tables decorated with elegant china. At Mašković Han, they serve Mediterranean and Oriental food. They use local and seasonal ingredients and the waiters are happy to explain which are the best. They bake their own bread. Try the Maškovic platter with chicken served with peaches, beef meatballs, veal and lamb, and plenty of vegetables, along with spicy tomato and ginger sauce. We also tasted the vine leaf dolma. There is no pork meat in the oriental dishes, but you can order prosciutto and bacon and even kulen (a kind of chorizo) for starters. You can also order traditional Dalmatian dishes with Adriatic fish and seafood. For dessert, be sure to try the pistachio baklava. Many say it is better than in Turkey. There are mostly local wines on the wine list. As we said at the beginning, Masković Han will give you a different experience.