Top Restaurants In Zadar, Croatia

Tucked inside the four-star hotel Art Hotel Kalelarga, the Bistro Gourmet Kalelarga is open morning, noon and night, making it a great choice no matter the time of day. The bistro presents guests with a contemporary interior that is comfortable and relaxing – a wonderful spot to sit down with a cup of coffee and freshly baked pastry first thing in the morning. The dinner menu sees beautifully plated seafood, fish and meat – all seasonal recipes. As they have an on-site bakery, the bistro offers a tantalizing array of cakes and other sweets that are sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Mamma Mia entices customers with its delicious Italian cuisine. A warm and friendly venue, complete with a lovely terrace open during the warmer months, the restaurant is a great location in which to celebrate any occasion. Procuring only the freshest ingredients that are free from additives and preservatives, the culinary team creates and array of pizzas, with a variety of toppings, plus grill and pasta dishes, which will suit a wide range of tastes from vegetarians to meat lovers. Mamma Mia is open daily.

Located near the Five Wells Square, Trg Pet Bunara in Croatian, the eponymous Pet Bunara is a delightful restaurant specializing in slow food – from garden to kitchen. Utilizing nothing but natural, organic products, the restaurant offers seasonal menus, ensuring that their guests receive the most flavorful dishes. The natural aspect is extended into the interior space as well, with warm woods, stone and wrought-iron accents, all of which create the perfect environment for tasting dishes featuring succulent meats, seafood, fresh pasta, and colorful, ripe vegetables. Pet Bunara also offers an impressive wine list, highlighting not only Croatian varieties, but also those from around the world, plus a meal wouldn’t be complete without something sweet – be sure to try their desserts. They serve lunch and dinner daily.

Serving lunch and dinner every day except for Monday, Restaurant Bruschetta is a wonderful restaurant that sets out to enhance their patrons’ travel journeys with a culinary one, representing the flavors of Dalmatia and the Mediterranean. Tucked inside the old city near the picturesque sea, the restaurant is a welcoming place featuring a sleek interior outfitted in neutral colors and honey-toned woods, plus a relaxing terrace perfect for watching the world go by. The menu offers a variety of mouthwatering recipes, including (as the name suggests) a selection of bruschetta – the version with truffle and a bacon is a must-try – appetizers, salads, soups, pasta, risotto, plus seafood and meat entrées. One popular choice is the black risotto, which is made with squid, squid ink, garlic, white wine, Grana Padano, and olive oil – it’s truly decadent.

Located in the heart of Zadar, Restaurant Groppo is another excellent choice to taste the flavors of the area, which, as with the other restaurants, means succulent meat and delectable seafood and fish entrées. The interior exudes warmth and a modern feel with its neutral light brown tones and sleek furnishings. A satisfying meal at Restaurant Groppo might start out with the curd cheese from Pag with basil and tomatoes, followed by homemade gnocchi with a flavorful combination of cuttlefish, tomatoes and peas or the grilled rump steak with a tangy mustard and caper sauce and potatoes. A family-friendly place, you’ll find a children’s menu created to suit their tastes. Wash your meal down with a regional wine, and finish it off with something sweet like the cake with curd cheese and Maraska cherries. You can visit daily for lunch and dinner.

Located inside the luxurious Hotel Bastion, Restaurant Kaštel is a fine-dining gem offering a taste of the region with its exquisitely created dishes. A modern interior space adds a touch of elegance to the already lovely atmosphere, plus there is plenty of outdoor seating provided by the sun-filled terraces, which overlook the harbor. The menu does change frequently to showcase the freshest ingredients of the area, so you’re likely to find specialties such as octopus stew, cheese from Pag, and plenty of meat and seafood dishes. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The folks at Restaurant Kornat pride themselves on creating an environment that feels like home. Indeed, when they set out to create this little gem over ten years ago, they wanted a place where visitors, whether regulars or just passing through, would feel comfortable – a place where they belonged. Situated in a location that provides incredible views of the sea, sunsets and massive ships, Kornat is truly a wonderful venue to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner. The menu has a little bit of everything from pasta to meat and seafood entrées, ensuring that there is something to suit every taste. Start out with the marinated octopus with prawns and mint mousse, followed by the spaghetti with vegetables and fennel cream or the chicken breast stuffed with bacon, cheese and Swiss chard. To complement the meal, try something from their wine menu.

Serving lunch and dinner, Restaurant Niko is not only a restaurant with ample seating but also a hotel, making it a popular dine-and-stay destination. Located in the Puntamika area, the restaurant offers, in addition to its delectable cuisine, a breathtaking view of the old city with its charming architecture and sites. The interior is elegant yet unpretentious with an overall relaxing feel, and the atmosphere is nothing but wonderful. While meat lovers and vegetarians will find delicious options on the menu, Restaurant Niko’s specialty is without a doubt fish and seafood recipes, highlighting the freshest catch of the day – including lobsters from the in-house aquarium.

If you’ve walked off your main meal or you’re just looking to satisfy a sweet craving, then Slasticarna Donat should definitely be added to your list of tasty options. This sweet shop specializes in creamy ice cream made with high-quality ingredients free from preservatives. A family-owned and operated place since 1978, they offer numerous flavors to try; therefore, you will want to visit this place more than once. You’ll find traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate alongside other varieties like hazelnut, rum, and yogurt flavors. While it is a popular choice with tourists, locals love it as well, so you know they must be doing something right.

Another charming spot to sample the area’s Mediterranean fare is Tinel. Named after a room in a home – similar to a living room – where friends and family gather in order to talk, celebrate, and tell stories, Tinel, too, is a place where people can gather in a warm environment. The menu offers a selection of hot and cold appetizers such as tuna carpaccio with arugula, capers and Grana Padano. The grilled squid with vegetables, the lobster on shrimp paste, the lamb chops with a baked potato and rosemary, and the grilled vegetables with mozzarella are all crowdpleasers.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.