Croatian Travel: Where to Eat
How to Find the Right Place to Eat in Croatia
One of the most common fears unseasoned travelers have when visiting countries they are unfamiliar with is the question of where to eat, especially if they are not familiar with the local language. Knowing a few of the Croatian names for the various types of restaurants that you will find there should help ease any fears you may have of eating a meal outside of your hotel.
Starting from the top of the restaurant chain you will find a restauracija or restoran which is generally a more formal or fancy restaurant that will serve more expensive dishes and wine. If you are in the mood for dressing up and tasting the best that the local area has to offer then you should dine here.
For a quainter, family-run experience you should look for a konoba or gostionica which will provide a cozy atmosphere, local food, and most likely fresh vegetables that are grown out back. This is for those who like a more casual dining experience, but still want to experience quality dishes.
If you’d rather enjoy a pint of beer with a hot sandwich or snack foods then you should look for a pivnica, which is Croatian for bar or pub. You are likely to find more of a rough and tumble local crowd here and probably a soccer match playing on the bar’s television.
If atmosphere is of little concern and you just want to be able to point at the food you would like to eat then you can go into one of the self-service samoposluzivanjes. These cafeterias are good for a quick meal with little hassle.
For a relaxing afternoon of coffee and perhaps a piece of strudel then you will want to pop into a kavana, which is similar to any local coffee shop you will find anywhere in the world. Here you can hang out and watch the tourists pass by while nursing an espresso or cappuccino on the patio.
If you are on the run and just want to grab a quick sugary snack you can visit a slasticarna. Here you will find ice cream, pastries, or coffee, but they generally do not have any seating available, so you will need to take your goodies with you.
