Part of the central Dalmatian archipelago, Hvar is the longest island in Croatia, known for its lavender fields, hillside vineyards, and delicious delicacies from the Adriatic Sea. In between wandering the ancient marble streets, exploring the beaches and discovering the hidden underwater coves, try one of Hvar’s 10 best restaurants.
Macondo
Restaurant, Seafood, $$$
Macondo is located in an alley down from the main square. It has a cozy fireplace as well as outdoor tables for a charming open air dinner, perfect for people watching and immersing yourself in the Hvar atmosphere. The menu includes some of the most fresh seafood and fish dishes in town, but the restaurant is known specially for their gregada dish: a local fishermen’s stew made with with sea bass, onions, garlic, potatoes, and wine.
Konoba Menego is a family owned tavern in the ancient part Hvar. The tavern specializes in traditional Croatian cuisine, with an emphasis specifically on the Dalmatian region. The location had been formerly been used for generations as a wine cellar and was the family home of the owner’s mother. Despite restoring the property, the restaurant’s interior has been purposely decorated to reflect the history and traditions of the family: Dalmation folk music playsin the background and staff dress in national costumes. Try the cold Dalmatian specialties, including sheep cheese in olive oil, domestic breads, drunk figs, and anything on the menu with wine grapes.
Passarola is a fine restaurant located just beside the cathedral in the old part of the city Hvar. The menu mixes international flavors with ancient and new Croatian dishes, including handmade lobster pastas, a modern gredada fish stew, and seafood risottos with excellent wines. The atmosphere is intimate, relaxing and sophisticated, and there’s often live music performances.
50 Hvar is New York City with a Croatian twist. In addition to classic American options, the menu includes specialties like a fried local octopus burger, roasted eggplant salad, and sides like truffle fries and polenta fries made with housemade pesto yogurt. For drinks, the bar serves craft beer, refreshing ciders, champagne, sparkling wine, and champagne cocktails.
Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Mexican, Mediterranean, $$$
Fig Cafe Bar is an intimate, relaxed place to grab a bite to eat. The lounge is inspired by the world travels of the owners. This venue is known for bringing creativity to the Hvar dining scene, with interesting food and drinks developed by a winning team of chefs and bartenders. Some of the delicious dishes include watermelon gazpacho, tomato and onion jam flatbread, and grilled seasonal fruit with local honey.
Dalmatino is a welcoming family owned fish and steak house. The restaurant is ideally located just far enough from the main square to enjoy a meal in peace and quiet. While deciding on your meal choice, you’ll receive complimentary tasters and brandy. Praised for their delicious dishes, anything on the menu at Dalmatino is worth trying. If you’re in Croatia for the first time, try their local gregada fish stew or pasticada, which is a traditional Dalmation stewed beef dish, cooked in a special sauce.
Lungo Mare is a small but popular family restaurant serving Croatian cuisine, including fish and seafood, meat with garnishes, soups, cold salads, and vegetarian dishes. The dishes are cooked on a large grill on the charming outdoor terrace and all vegetables come fresh from the owner’s own garden. Desserts include ice cream and pancakes as well as local treats like rožatacustard pudding, and semifreddo with almonds.
If you’re up for exploring and want to dine in breathtaking surroundings, Restaurant Zori is located on the paradise island of Sveti Klement. A short taxi boat ride will take you straight there from Hvar. Zori’s menu includes creative interpretations of traditional Dalmatian dishes, along with a wine list featuring a selection of some of Croatia’s most prized wines. Zori is an upscale restaurant with a relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere and the outside patio is perfect for lunch or dinner overlooking the sea.
Hidden on a narrow backstreet in a beautiful ancient 15th-century building, Giaxa is a restaurant that is both traditional and modern. The restaurant prepares meals using local groceries: fish and seafood caught in the local sea and vegetables cultivated on the island. The restaurant has a beautiful courtyard for outside dining.
Alviž is an old family-owned and operated pizzeria restaurant that has been around since 1989. The owner learned the art of pizza making pizzas while working for an old pizzeria, Pizzeria Miko, which was one of the first pizza places in Dalmatia. In addition to pizzas, the menu includes seafood and meat dishes, salads, soups, risottos and pastas.
