On our trip to Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, you will delight in all the region offers. Think stunning landscapes, beautiful architecture, deep history, and the luxurious crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. You'll dive into all of that and more. Beyond its beauty, you can also expect to indulge in a culinary adventure like no other. With dishes that reflect Croatia's cultural heritage and abundant locally sourced ingredients, our tour includes a culturally immersive culinary journey that will delight and satisfy your palate.

Seafood Abounds

The Adriatic Sea makes seafood a star player in Dalmatian cuisine, and every coastal town boasts a unique twist on popular dishes. If you love it in Dubrovnik, you might lose your mind over it in Hvar. One of Croatia's seafood superstars will take the spotlight as we wend our way from Dubrovnik to Split. You will taste world-famous shellfish fresh from the sea on an oyster and mussel farm in Malostonski Bay.

Like your food a little more well-done?

Try grilled fresh fish drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with a touch of garlic, rosemary, or oregano that lets the fish's natural flavors take center stage. Such Mediterranean-style preparations are common in Croatian cooking and can comfort travelers craving more familiar fare.
Scampi Buzara, Adriatic prawns cooked with garlic, white wine, and tomatoes, is a succulent, must-try delicacy.
A Croatian specialty for a more adventurous palate is "crni rižot," black risotto. Colored and flavored with cuttlefish ink, vibrant seafood flavor explodes from this local favorite. It's sure to spark conversation, as black risotto fans are just as passionate as the detractors.
"Pulpo ispod peke," or octopus under the bell, is a favorite Dalmatian dish that showcases simple yet delicious preparation. Octopus marinated with olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs placed in a Peka (a traditional one-pot slow cooking method). It is a melt-in-your-mouth octopus delicacy bursting with flavor.

Cooking Under the Iron Bell (Peka)

Peka (Iron Bell)

Traditional open Fire cooking in
an Iron or Clay pot

Even if octopus isn't your thing, an authentic Dalmatian culinary experience would only be complete with trying Peka, iron bell cooking. This traditional oven-fired, covered-dish cooking method slow-cooks lamb or veal with vegetables, potatoes, and aromatic herbs. The traditional covered cooking pot rests in an open fireplace or is buried in embers, resulting in tender, slow-cooked meats infused with Mediterranean flavors.

On our Konavle cooking excursion, you'll create dishes cooked under the iron bell and other local fare. There is always plenty to pull from the garden to create delicious veggie options if that's your desire for the day!

Pag Cheese – Even Sheep Are What They Eat

Pag Cheese

Tangy, Crumbly, and Naturally Salty

The island of Pag, just off the coast of Dalmatia, is renowned for its distinctive sheep's milk cheese, aptly named "Paški sir" (Pag Cheese). Pag cheese has a distinctive tangy taste, a crumbly texture, and a hint of saltiness, making it a true gastronomic treasure. The unique flavor comes from the rocky seaside landscape, where Pag's small breed of sheep graze on grasses and wild herbs (fennel, sage, and immortelle) laden in wind-blown sea salt. Pair this unique flavor with local olives, prosciutto, and a glass of Croatian wine for an authentic Dalmatian nosh. It is an excellent option for a simple, light dinner for a low-key evening after a busy day touring, hiking, and adventuring.

Sweet Treats

Dalmatian adults are known to prefer savory to sweet and consider cakes for kids, but these traditional favorites bring out the kid in everyone.

· Rafioli (ravioli shaped cookies with almond filling) spark secret family recipes in many households.

· Enjoy Fritule (Croatian Fritters) for a taste of a favorite holiday treat. These small, fluffy delights are made with flour, raisins, and citrus zest, then fried and finely dusted with sugar.

· With a texture reminiscent of a hearty carrot cake, the Splitska torta (named after the city of Split) with sun-dried figs, raisins, mellow almonds, light meringue, and an orange-infused buttercream that brings a citrus zip, it’s a hometown flavor that once you have had it can transport you back to Split for a lifetime.

These are just a few of the sweet delights of Croatia. Wherever your sweet tooth takes you, you will be sure to find your fill on our travels together and you’ll have earned the carbs! Delights like these are part of the guilt-free payoff for our exertions on the trails of Croatia.

Wine! (of course)

Sip the full-bodied delights of the Dalmatian Coast with local wines that complement the exquisite flavors of Dalmatian cuisine. Croatia has a long history of winemaking, and its diverse landscapes produce a wide range of wines. Expect many opportunities to take home favorites from our curated wine-tasting tours as part of our immersive gastro-culture tours and activities.

Explore and Indulge in Croatian Cuisine

Whether you visit one of the many recommended restaurants or enjoy a nosh with simple items from a local market, there are plenty of ways for foodies to indulge and unwind with delicious Croatian cuisine.

Dining Recommendations Dubrovnik

360 Dubrovnik
Proto
Posat Dubrovnik
Trattoria Carmen