14 Best Holiday Homes with a Pool in Croatia for Summer 2025
August 11, 2025
Island of Brač, Central Dalmatia – Top Attractions and Holiday Spots
August 12, 2025Do you enjoy every meal and consider yourself an excellent gourmet? Then the Croatian Adriatic is the perfect destination for you…
Imagine yourself taking the perfect bite of food that words cannot describe… the authentic Adriatic cuisine offers exactly that experience.
Based on fresh seafood, olive oil, herbs, and vegetables, it embodies both simplicity and a richness of flavors whose combination reflects the tradition and cultural heritage of the Adriatic coast.
In this blog, you will learn all about your perfect dish and the best places where, as they say in Dalmatia, you can “eat and enjoy a good meal”.
Olive oil is most often used as a dressing for salads (Source: Pixabay)
Rosemary is often used as a spice (Source: Unsplash)
Some of the fish and seafood that most often make their way onto your plate are sea bass, gilthead bream, sardines, lobster, and shellfish.Vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes are often served as side dishes or main ingredients.
Below, I’m sharing a few of what I consider the best dishes of Adriatic cuisine that you simply must try!
Fish stew (brudet or brodet)
Brudet, brodet, or brujet? That is the question
This traditional dish’s name still sparks many debates here in Dalmatia, and the correct term hasn’t been definitively decided… I’ll go with brudet.
It is believed that brudet originated as a simple meal for fishermen and sailors, who used the fish they caught, and occasionally leftover fish they couldn’t sell. The dish developed as a combination of different types of fish, vegetables, and spices, cooked together in one pot, allowing all the flavors to meld and create a rich taste.
Today, brodet is one of the most famous dishes along the Adriatic coast, and every family has its own version of this delicious fish stew.
What I can promise you is that you will be delighted with every variation of this dish — the feeling is like taking a bite of the entire Adriatic Sea from one small plate.
Buying fish for brudet at the local "peškarija" (fish market) (Source: Pixabay)
Vis Island or Komiža flatbread (pogača)
You’re probably wondering if it’s the same pogača or if they differ — the answer is: They differ.
Yes, you read that right. This authentic delicacy from the island of Vis, whose history dates back to the time when it nourished fishermen’s homes, has two original versions.
These two types of pogača from the island of Vis differ in the filling ingredients and the way they are cut. Some believe there is no difference between Komiža and Vis pogača. However, the truth is that the people of Komiža started adding tomatoes to the filling alongside onions and fish, which makes their pogača a bit milder in taste.
I’m often asked which pogača is better — my recommendation is definitely to try both if you have the time, but if you choose just one, you won’t go wrong.
Pogača was mostly prepared in winter when the salted sardines and anchovies were ready. (Source: Pixabay)
Soparnik
Soparnik is one of those dishes that carries the story of Dalmatian tradition and simple life. So, if you want to taste tradition and don’t like too much experimenting, this is the right dish for you.
Originating from Poljica, this dish was created several hundred years ago as a nourishing meal for peasants working in the fields. A combination of simple ingredients like dough, spinach (or Swiss chard), onions, olive oil, and herbs makes this dish tasty and filling for the rest of your day.
Soparnik is prepared by placing the filling of spinach, onions, and spices between two thin layers of dough, then baking it on a hearth or in an oven. Its distinctive aroma of olive oil and herbs makes it special, and it was not uncommon for peasants to take it with them to the fields as a practical and delicious meal.
Although it originated as a simple dish, soparnik has become a symbol of Dalmatian tradition. Today, it is prepared according to old recipes, and the most famous festival dedicated to this dish is held every year in Poljica.
Soparnik is more than just a dish – it is part of the identity of this region. Every family has its own version of this delicious dish, and the best place to try it is at the Soparnik Festival in Dugi Rat.
The dough for soparnik is made from flour, a little salt, two tablespoons of olive oil, and water as needed. (Source: Unsplash)
Pašticada
As a jewel of Dalmatian cuisine, I would highlight Pašticada because of its long history that goes back several hundred years.
It is believed that pašticada originated in the Middle Ages, when meat dishes were a way to preserve food and make it even tastier. Although initially reserved for the nobility, it quickly became popular among workers and peasants because it was nutritious and long-lasting.
Classic pašticada is prepared from beef marinated in wine, vinegar, and herbs, then slowly cooked for hours in a rich sauce made of vegetables, tomatoes, dried plums, and spices. This slow cooking gives the meat incredible juiciness and tenderness, while all the flavors infuse every bite.
Today, pašticada is an essential dish on many Dalmatian tables, especially loved for family celebrations, holidays, and special occasions.
Pašticada is a must-try dish that you have to taste — it’s truly a journey through the history and flavors of this beautiful region.
Pašticada is most commonly served with gnocchi or fuži (Source: adriatic.hr)
Skradin risotto
This is also a dish that involves a long preparation time, which can last from 8 to even 12 hours, and is cooked in large quantities — Skradin risotto.
It is one of the most famous and beloved dishes of Šibenik’s cuisine, and its preparation is a true gastronomic experience. Classic Skradin risotto is prepared with veal, which is slowly cooked together with vegetables and rice, giving it a rich and intense flavor.
The secret of this dish is slow cooking — the longer the risotto cooks, the more tender the meat becomes and the richer the flavors. Traditionally, it is cooked in large cauldrons and throughout history has become a dish symbolizing togetherness and family gatherings.
If this delicacy has intrigued you but you don’t have time for the lengthy preparation process, Skradin risotto is best tasted in restaurants and taverns, especially in Skradin, where you can experience the original version of this dish. Because this meal is not just food, but a true ritual reflecting love for food, tradition, and community.
Skradin risotto as the most famous dish of Šibenik cuisine (Source: Unsplash)
Good to know
How to get to Vis?
Where to stay?
If you find yourself on the island of Vis, my recommendation is to stay in an apartment in an authentic stone house where you’ll feel like part of the island itself.
Croatian Gastronomy
