The 9 Best Breakfasts in Split, Croatia

The name of this restaurant, situated at 26 Gundulića Street, can be translated into English as “at home”. Jolanda and Anita say the food here is even better than you’d make at home, though: “Everything is produced in-house – their bread, granola, marmalade… the coffee is good, and so are the cold-pressed juices.” The bistro offers a variety of cakes and sandwiches and is open throughout the year.

Situated in Morpurgova poljana, Kat’s Kitchen is a grab-and-go café offering a healthy breakfast menu consisting of toasts, salads, croissants, raw cakes and desserts. All recipes are copyrighted (don’t even think about giving away the secrets of the kitchen), and most of the dishes are vegan. The Facebook page of Kat’s Kitchen states that, “Its mission is to educate about the importance of consuming a natural balanced diet,” and it certainly delivers this on the breakfast front. Apart from that, Jolanda and Anita chose to recommend Kat’s Kitchen because, “It opens early (at 8.30am) and has the world’s best avocado sandwich” – no small claim.

Uje Oil Bar is an olive oil bar. Fear not, this does not mean you have to do shots of EVOO, but rather that its offering centres on olive oil and other traditional local ingredients. The bar also serves as a shop, offering a wide selection of Croatian olive oils and olive-based products. For breakfasts (or “marenda”, as locals call it), you can pick your favourite savoury foods from a variety of bruschettas, cheeses and olive oils. It’s a place to go to for anyone curious to try good old Dalmatian classics. Another reason to pay a visit: Jolanda is one of the chefs at Uje Oil Bar.

Corto Maltese is an eatery particularly popular among Split’s younger population, thanks to its very reasonable prices and vintage-inspired interior. What’s more, it has an open kitchen so you can watch the cooking process while waiting for your meal. During warm days, however, most customers make a beeline for the terrace. Jolanda and Anita recommend ordering the açaí bowl and vegan scrambled eggs (made of tofu), washed down with a mango smoothie.

The Kruščić Bakery specialises in making authentic German- and French-style bread using four simple ingredients – flour, water, salt and yeast. All the flours used for baguettes, bread rolls and pastries are completely natural and additive-free. “We love to bake. Through baking, we connect with our community by creating great bread and pastries, feeding our family, friends and neighbours, teaching and sharing our craft,” say the owners on the bakery’s Facebook page. The bakery is open every day from 8am-2pm, except Sundays.

Being situated at the core of the city on the “Riva” promenade, Brasserie on 7 is acknowledged as one of Split’s most elegant dining venues. Its menu offers a variety of breakfast dishes: eggs benedict, an English breakfast and the Brasserie Breakfast. The Brasserie Breakfast has two courses: an asparagus omelette with fresh goat’s cheese, and French toast with cinnamon and caramelised banana – ideal for anyone torn between sweet and savoury.

“The view. Oh yes, the view.” This is the first thing Jolanda and Anita exclaimed when describing café-restaurant Dvor. Dvor is famous for its superb location overlooking Split’s Firule Beach, from where visitors can admire the silhouettes of the islands of Šolta and Brač while sitting on a tranquil terrace shaded by trees. Even if only with a coffee, a morning that starts in such a marvellous setting cannot be bad.

Situated in a romantic courtyard of a historic Dalmatian house in Split’s old town, Ćiri Biri Bela is one of Split’s hidden gems. “It’s in the city centre but hard to find,” says Jolanda. “If you want to enjoy your breakfast in a hidden (and quiet) spot, go here.” The place has a beautiful terrace where breakfast is served between 8am and 2.30pm. Options include New York bagels with goat’s cheese cream and figs, and a truffle and pecorino omelette. Besides food, Ćiri Biri Bela also sells locally made products, such as beachwear, bags, accessories, cosmetics, pottery, clothing and souvenirs.

Galerija is a restaurant with a beautiful summer garden situated in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace. The menu includes traditional Dalmatian dishes using seasonal and local ingredients. Each morning, the restaurant puts together a new menu, based on what’s fresh. The restaurant caters to vegetarians and those after gluten-free dishes, and there are vegan options as well. Enjoy your first morning coffee accompanied by a fresh seasonal fruit salad and homemade muesli, and don’t forget to round off your breakfast with a freshly prepared smoothie.