Check out some of our recommendations for eating and drinking in Zadar:
Restaurants in Zadar
2 Ribara
Matije Gupca 2A
Website: 2ribara.com
A block away from Kalelarga/Siroka ulica is this relaxed place that’s perfect for a leisurely lunch or dinner. A wide variety of offerings, you can’t go wrong with one of their pizzas washed down with a cold beer.
4 Kantuna
Varoska 1
Website: www.restaurant4kantuna.com
Another very popular Zadar restaurant, do try and reserve as you may otherwise be waiting a while for a table, despite a decently sized dining area both outdoors and indoors in the stylish restaurant. Named “4 Corners” because of its location at an important intersection in the Old Town, this is a buzzing place with some beautifully presented dishes. Try the Fishermen’s Pot for 2 or crispy octopus; as well as a great range of other fish/seafood, meat and pasta dishes, there’s also a large pizza selection.
Fish House by Chef Jasmin
Ulica Sime Ljubavca 2
Website: www.instagram.com/fish_house_by_chef_jasmin
An unusual concept for Croatia, this “self-service” restaurant has a simple fish and seafood menu that’s oh-so tasty. With only a few tables providing outdoor seating, you might have to wait for a space, but you’ll then be rewarded with a hearty, generously sized meal. The tuna burger, crispy cod tacos and fritto misto (mixed seafood) are all excellent, but even something “plainer” such as a whole sea bass or the fish and chips (how British!) are made to be devoured. Even the chips are of great quality! A quick and easy meal that’s good value too.
Fosa
Dmitra Zvonimira 2, Zadar
Website: www.fosa.hr
Close to the Land Gate of Zadar’s Old Town, and overlooking the sweet harbour there, this is one of Zadar’s premier dining options. That’s reflected in prices, but this is certainly one of the best options for those looking for something special.
Konoba Dalmatina
Kovacka 10
Long lines may greet you at Konoba Dalmatina, so be prepared for a bit of a wait for a table at this small, typical Dalmatian tavern. Hopefully, you can nab an outdoor table for a true Old Town dining experience. Expect hearty meals that are very decently priced.
Konoba Malo Misto
Jurja Dalmatinca-Matejeva 3
Websit: restoran-konoba-malo-misto.hr
With a lovely open-air, walled courtyard, this is the place to come to get your grilled meat or fish fix! You can’t go wrong with trying one of the starters either – go for a plate of the prsut, the Croatian version of prosciutto. The house Grasevina is pleasing, and a half-litre of this to share is a great accompaniment for a meal for two.
Konoba Sklobar
Trg Petra Zoranica 3
On a pretty square, this is definitely the place to go for a delicious meal with a side of watching the world go by. Filling meat, fish, seafood dishes as well as shared platters, plus pasta options and risottos; be sure to try one of the house specialities. Bonus – this is a family-run place.
Konoba Stomorica
Stomorica 5
Website: www.stomorica.com
Claiming to be the oldest tavern in Zadar – serving customers since 1981 – this rustic-style restaurant serves typical Dalmatian dishes, heavy on fish and seafood (of course). Their specialities include a cuttlefish and chickpea dish, a fish stew with polenta, or their own Stomorica fried platter with small fish, squid and shrimp. I totally bypassed all of these tasty items because I can never resist mussels in white wine sauce, which were also excellent! The Dalmatian platter – of cheeses and salamis – is also a must to start.
Restaurant Bruschetta
Mihovila Pavlinovica 12
Website: www.bruschetta.hr
Located across the street from the Riva – so you’ll get a gorgeous sea view from here – is the Restaurant Bruschetta. A very friendly and welcoming place, this restaurant is also very popular, so I would advise you to make a reservation if you’re planning on coming here on a summer evening.
Bruschetta options are of course, what you should pick as a starter – try the tuna or prawn versions before you dive into one of their top-quality mains. It’s hard to choose, in fact – the beef steak, tuna steak and fish (John Dory, sea bass) options are all next level, whilst you might be tempted by the pasta dishes, such as pljukanci with prawns and zucchini, fuzi with beef or the spinach gnocchi with seabass.
For a lighter meal, maybe for lunch, why not come here and sample some of their bruschetta plates with a cold glass of wine?
Restaurant Groppo
Siroka Ulica 22, Zadar
Website: www.restaurant-groppo.com
Boasting a location that can’t be beaten – right on Kalelarga and with several of Zadar’s Old Town sights right by it – this smart restaurant is a good choice for lunch or dinner. There are fine choices for both meat and fish mains, plus traditional Croatian pasta dishes featuring gnocchi or fuzi. If there are two of you and you both have healthy appetites, try the platter featuring several different kinds of meat.
Eating and Drinking in Zadar – Quick Bites
Sometimes you need to grab some food and go – here are some options for eating “on the run”!
Crazy Pizza
Stomorica 1
Large, great value and – most importantly – super tasty pizzas! Perfect for a classic pizza ‘n beer meal (we all need that sometimes). You can also get pizza by the slice.
Fast Food Branimir
Obala kneza Branimira 10A
Right by the town bridge – in the main part of Zadar – this an invaluable place to know about for a quick and easy bite to eat, especially if it’s late at night.
Munchie’s
Rudjer Boskovica 4
Website: www.instagram.com/munchies.zadar
Burgers, sandwiches and toasted items (such as avocado toast) are the order of the day at this street food-style place.
Wunder Burger
Stomorica 4
Website: www.instagram.com/wunderburger_
When sometimes only a burger will do, head to Wunder Burger for their awesome take on the smashed burger phenomenon. Their loaded fries, particularly the fried-chicken-loaded fries, are also highly rated.
Bars in Zadar
Forty Bar Coffee & Food
Obala kneza Domagoja 1
Website: www.instagram.com/fortyzadar/
If you’re staying in the Borik part of Zadar – home to many hotels – this is a great place to hang out in in the evenings with a fancy cocktail or two. Super stylish with an awesome view overlooking the marina, Forty Bar is open all day long. Come here for breakfast or brunch, or enjoy sushi for dinner.
The Garden Lounge
Liburnska obala 6, Zadar
Website: www.instagram.com/thegardenlounge_zadar
Visiting this open-air lounge bar is an absolute must! First opened in 2004, and from the same people as top festival site The Garden Tisno (and previously The Garden Festival) and The Garden Brewery, this wonderful cocktail bar is beautifully decorated and gets the mix of chilled yet upbeat just right. With plenty of seating – even beds – pick a treat from their extensive cocktail menu (but be sure to pick one of their specialities, such as Barabarellas or the UB40) and kick back and relax. Open during the summer season only, check their website for specific events that take place here.
Muro Bar
Poljana zemaljskog odbora 2
Website: www.facebook.com/murobarzadar
Head up onto the Old Town walls for this top cocktail bar overlooking the channel between the Old Town and the main part of Zadar. With a very pleasant outdoor terrace (that offers a stunning view – just the spot for people and boat watching!), there’s a small indoor space too. There is an extensive cocktail list…be sure to try one of the house specials.
Ice Cream in Zadar
It feels like you’re never more than a few steps away from a glamorous ice-cream shop in Zadar, with a freezer cabinet piled high with divine-looking ice cream. There are often some wild and wacky flavours (Mars Bar? Hello Kitty flavour? WhatsApp and Facebook flavours?!) and plenty of more normal offerings. Be sure to pick up a couple of scoops in a cone or cup and do like everyone else does – stroll around at a relaxed pace. (Or, better still, go to the seafront and watch the sunset!)
Ice cream shops that we recommend are Slasticarna Donat, Kavana Danica and Sweet (on Narodni trg).
Cafes in Zadar
Make like a local and head to a cafe on Narodni trg (People’s Square) to indulge in some caffeine and people watching.
There are also numerous cafe bars on Kalelarga – it’s an ideal place to sit and sip whilst people watching. Try the the appropriately named Forum (right by The Forum!).