Almost every sailing enthusiast who secures a vessel in time for their carefully planned vacation or sporty weekend getaway starts thinking about other accompanying aspects that can enhance the sailing experience or add the perfect finishing touch. One of the most common questions among participants is: “Are there any good restaurants there?”
Although sailors are often self-sufficient when it comes to sourcing and preparing food, or creating a pleasant atmosphere, it’s useful to have some recommendations. So, as an interesting suggestion or perhaps even useful information, we present to you the 10 best restaurants on Croatian islands, selected by the Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list, which annually compiles a ranking of the best in Croatia.
Today, we present the first five (Part 1):
- Pojoda, Vis
They say that you haven’t really visited Vis if you haven’t been to Pojoda. This is why reservations are necessary, especially during the season, and also why it is not considered a cheap place (main courses cost around 20 euros per person). This tavern has become an institution. However, in the last review by Jutarnji, it received some harsh criticism. Egg salad with capers and tuna, pasta and bean stew, dogfish in white wine, red cuttlefish risotto… Looking for something less creative? Large portions of seafood monsters baked or salted, served with potatoes and chard. The wine list offers around 30 labels, with prices around 20 euros. And what do people say on Tripadvisor? 98 guests rated it five stars, 38 gave it four stars, 14 three stars, five gave it two stars, and eight gave it an unsatisfactory rating. At the end of the day, Pojoda offers only one meat dish on the menu.
- Boškinac, Novalja on Pag
The restaurant, with its attached prestigious hotel (in August, rooms cost around 240 euros per night), gained worldwide fame when it was visited by the famous TV chef and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain. They have their own vineyard and produce their own wine, a blend of Cabernet and Merlot. They claim to work with passion, offering primarily local Pag specialties, including cheese and lamb. A portion of lamb will cost around 25 euros, and when it comes to meat, the prices for a 1.4 kg T-bone steak are around 100 euros. Soups range from 10 to 15 euros. The mentioned wine costs 50 euros.
- Rivica, Njivice on Krk
If you ask for the best restaurant in Croatia, many Slovenians will immediately say: Rivica. Unlike its competitors on Krk, Rivica is a relatively classic seafood restaurant that does not overdo it with ideas and creations. The wine list is extensive (with around 20 types of champagne), and the menu caters to all tastes. Locally, they offer šurlice pasta with shrimp and all kinds of fish, shellfish, and meat dishes. The menu states that main courses cost around 10 euros, but experience suggests they cost significantly more.
- Gariful, Hvar
In the town of Hvar, there are many prestigious restaurants that the average working person might find difficult to afford. The most expensive dish at Obala b.b. costs around 300 euros (lobster), and the most expensive bottle of wine is 110,000 euros (a six-liter Rose Gold Dom Perignon). Fortunately, there are more affordable options available. They boast 500 different wine labels and sell 200 kilograms of fish daily during the season—to Arab sheikhs, Roman Abramovich, Giorgio Armani, Novak Djokovic, and others who dock their yachts right at Gariful’s doorstep.
- Kod Marka, Šipan
Shrimp prepared Marko’s way, octopus patties, and Korčula-style fish stew are some of the dishes recommended at Kod Marka, located across from the ferry dock on Šipan, an island slightly north of Dubrovnik, according to reviewers from the Jutarnji list. Journalists praise the promenade by the sea, which is a must-visit. It’s also essential to book a table, as it’s hard to get one during the high season due to competition from sailors and yacht owners from around the world. At Marko’s, main courses cost around 18 euros, and the wine list includes about 30 labels, mostly from Croatian producers.
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The remaining five best restaurants (as reported by JL and Dnevnik) on the Croatian islands will be published in the next blog. Meanwhile, find your ideal boat rental here!