BEST PLACES TO DINE IN ZADAR

Are you wondering where to eat in Zadar?
Here is a detailed review of the 10 best restaurants in Zadar, offering a variety of culinary experiences and local dishes.

At the end, we have added a few Sweet spots & Croatian fast foods.

Dobar tek!
(=Bon Appétit!)

-TOP 10-

1. 5 Bunara Dine & Wine

Located in the heart of Zadar's old town and owned by a local family - the restaurant 5 Bunara Dine & Wine restaurant is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike. This restaurant serves a range of Dalmatian dishes prepared with handpicked fresh, local ingredients paired with their own organic fig jam "Šinjorina smokva". The ambient is cosy and the service is excellent.

We recommend our favourite and Croatia's favourite: the platter of cold seafood starters, pašticada ( most famous traditional Croatian dish: slow cooked meat in red wine dark sauce) for the main and pistachio soufflé for dessert.

2. Corte

Corte is a charming restaurant situated in a historic building near the Sea organs. With its elegant interior and attentive service, Corte provides a memorable dining experience. Their menu features a fusion of traditional Croatian and international flavours. Corte restaurant is located next to the Almayer hotel - the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their chef is an awarded winning master of food and
creates works of art on the plate.

We recommend this place for a beautiful breakfast. Our favourite is eggs Benedict with salmon, paired with a glass of prosecco, and for lunch and dinner everything on the menu.

3. Kornat

Luxurious fine dining restaurant overlooking the sea. One of the most beautiful interiors in the city centre, professional service, rich wine and spirits list, make the experience of this high-quality restaurant even richer. The food and service are commendable, and the prices are not significantly different from many of the other restaurants in the centre of Zadar. The ambience is enhanced by a live pianist who plays a few tunes - typically by The Beatles, ABBA, and those from the Swing era.

We recommend a platter of the NO1 food in Croatia: platter of prosciutto, Pag island cheese, olives and olive oils, or the tuna tartar for starters, shrimp risotto for main and everything for the desert :)

4. Botanist

For a unique dining experience, head to Botanist
heaven for vegans and vegetarians in Zadar.
This restaurant is located on the seafront, and it combines gastronomy with botany, offering a menu inspired by local plants and herbs. The dishes are not only delicious but also beautifully presented.

We recommend making a reservation in advance and ask for a table nearest to the sea.

5. Karma

Karma is a fine dine restaurant that specializes in flavorful and healthy dishes.
It is located 15 minutes away from the city centre, overlooking the sea.
Their menu features a variety of plant-based options, as well as fresh fish
and great steak. The cozy interior and relaxed ambiance make Karma a great spot for a wholesome meal. It is a beautiful place to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We recommend the seafood platter as a starter and everything for the main dish :)

6. L'OSTERIA 12

L'Osteria 12 is a place where you know you will eat fantastic fresh food and be served by attentive and knowledgeable staff every time. More than 200 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor confirm the quality of this restaurant! Located not even a minute from the apartment, tucked in a traditional Dalmatian courtyard, this place offers amazing dishes prepared by Erik, an outstanding local chef.
The ambient music in the restaurant, played almost inaudibly, creates a subtle and calming atmosphere for the diners, while the chef creates pieces of art on the plates.

We recommend the bruschetta with game pate and truffle oil as a starter, the must-try local specialty - fried Papaline - and every single pasta on the menu!

7. Konoba Tovar

Are you ready to try real local food?
Are you ready to eat with your hands? Just kidding, that is fully optional.
Here, the soul of Zadar comes alive in every bite. Nestled in the heart of the city centre, Konoba (Tavern) Tovar invites you to experience the warmth of traditional Croatian local cuisine and hospitality.
From the rich aromas of local ingredients to the echoes of laughter that fill the air,
Tovar is more than a restaurant—it's a celebration of our cultural roots.

We recommend you to sit down, try a little bit of everything, relax, and have a glass of wine for the full Dalmatian experience.

8. Bistro Pjat

Moj Pjat, is a place where locals eat all year round, and where the chef blends Zadar's culinary traditions with modern creativity. This restaurant is a canvas of real Croatian flavours, showcasing the best of our region. From fresh seafood to all types of meat, pasta, and risotto, Moj Pjat is a culinary journey through the tastes of Zadar and Croatia.

We recommend anything from the menu. It is all good Croatian food.

9. Bruschetta

An Italian haven in the heart of Zadar offers a rich menu full of Italian delicacies.
The chatter of people, the view of the sea, the rich menu full of handcrafted pasta and gnocchi makes you feel like you’re in Italy.

We recommend you try one of local favourite dishes - pasta with truffles,
and the best lava cake Zadar has to offer.
Lava cake is even better when paired with Teranino liqueur from the brand Aura.
This combination is for the ones with a sweet tooth :)

10. Konoba Rafaelo

If you feel like eating a lot of well-prepared tasty meat – this is the place for you.
It is located far out from the city centre, but it is a spot which is
full of locals and tourists all year round.
It is a family-owned restaurant with a capacity of over 200 people and it’s a
paradise for meat lovers.

We recommend any meat, with the side of mushroom sauce – it is heavenly.

-SWEET SPOTS-

1. Slatka Tajna

PANCAKES!
Whether you like your pancakes sweet or savour - this is the place to go. It really isn't too much to say that these are the best pancakes we have ever had, and we have had plenty! We highly recommend you try this place at least once while in Zadar.
Hundreds of options are available on the menu
and both the sweet and the savory options are excellent.

We recommend: the premium sweet pancakes and the deep fried savory ones, based on your taste :)

2. Bob Rock's
Ice Cream Shop &
Bubble Waffle & Bubble Tea

We highly recommend you try out this premium ice-cream shop. The prices are a bit higher, but the flavours are heavenly! We recommend our favourite - Raffaello ice-cream and if you're having a sweet tooth - we recommend the
waffle filled with ice cream and toppings!
If you get the waffle - dig in and eat it faster than you planned.
Why? Because the ice-cream starts melting and the waffle starts losing its crispness,
and you don't want any of those to happen :)

We recommend: a mix of your favourite flavours :)

-FAST FOODS-

1. Papica

Papica is a locally owned fast food offering a variety of burgers, sandwiches, tortillas, fries and onion rings. Paradise for fast-food lovers.
It is worth the 20-minute walk from the city centre to burn the extra calories :)
If you like a taste of a local experience, a good vybe, fun crowd and great burgers – we highly recommend. Also, they have a great variety of spicy sauces for all the spicy fans :)

We recommend the Burgazam (it really feels like an orgasm), the Mediterranean sandwich with vegetables and the onion rings.

2. Submarine

If you're in the mood for a high-quality quick bite at an affordable price - Submarine is the place to go. This Croatian owned brand of high-quality fast foods is known for its tasty burgers. They offer salads, sandwiches, and creative fries options.
All of their ingredients are organic & from Croatian farms.

We recommend you try out salchipapas fries and truffle grana padano fries on the side.

3. Delimaris Fish&Chips

Delimaris Fish&Chips is the first Zadar snack bar that offers traditional
Adriatic seafood in the form of street food.
This local crowd wanted to create a Dalmatian styled fast food place where you can eat fish on the go.

We recommend two traditional local dishes: Fried Sardines & Chips (sardines, chips, tartar sauce, lemon, warm bun) and the Traditional Dalmatian Tuna Salad.

(Everything is based on our personal experience).
(If you will copy our text, can't stop you, but you can create a backlink to this article so we all benefit)