Zora Bila
Two of the area's most beloved chefs, married couple Sandra and Dane Tahirović, spearhead the restaurant. Their haute edgy takes on classic Adriatic cuisine can be enjoyed with a sea view on the outdoor terrace.
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In the past two years the gastro scene in Split has exploded. There are a great number of new and exciting places to eat that showcase the region’s growing culinary sophistication. This comes as a great relief for foreign travelers looking for more than a good pizza and fresh grilled fish, the only options once found in most restaurants. A new generation of young well-traveled entrepreneurs have come back to Croatia and are giving the food scene a much needed face-lift. The fact that in Split there are three sushi bars, an authentic Turkish mezza, a specialty olive oil and farm food restaurant, numerous healthy lunch options, several fine-dining options, and, of course, the original wine and cheese bar that spurred a Croatian trend speaks volumes about the dining changes that have hit Split in recent years.
Two of the area's most beloved chefs, married couple Sandra and Dane Tahirović, spearhead the restaurant. Their haute edgy takes on classic Adriatic cuisine can be enjoyed with a sea view on the outdoor terrace.
Some of the mainstays on this restaurant's menu come directly from the Adriatic Sea, and many of the ingredients are sourced from across the Croatian mainland. Located within the palace walls, this relaxed spot requires turning a few corners to find it but the food and setting are worth the hunt. The carefully researched wine menu pairs well with sushi.
Small and low-key, this modern clean-lined restaurant is tucked away on the second floor of a 15th-century palazzo just off the main square. It's known for traditional Adriatic dishes made with fresh, locally sourced, and high-quality ingredients.
This funky restaurant serves exciting food with well-selected ingredients and offers a pretty rooftop on which to enjoy it all. The name doesn't just mean "artichoke" in Croatian: it's also a literal blend of "art" and čok (a nibble) because guests can enjoy both a fabulous visual experience—whether dining inside or alfresco—and fun modern bites. The attention to detail is notable, not only in the quality of the food but also in the presentation and service.
Residents of Split favor this spot for its tasty barbecue, live rock and blues concerts, and—not least—its distance from the busy Old Town. If you need a break from seafood and crowds, stroll 15 minutes from the Diocletian's Palace complex to Baraka ("barracks") and sway to the music as you wash down delightfully smoky eats with regional craft beer. Gritty decor—including a chopper motorcycle in the middle of the restaurant, a U.S. flag made out of chains, and exposed brick walls—completes the coolly Americana-flavored experience.
For a fun atmosphere where you can let loose (often to a live DJ's tunes) as you watch your pizza being made in the open kitchen, head here. This pizzeria offers a menu covering the classics as well as unique options, and staff can recommend one (or a few) of the restaurant's signature cocktails to accompany your pizza of choice.
Decorated with a bit of the wit and themes from the beloved Italian comic strip about Corto Maltese, a seafaring adventurer, this lively restaurant offers traditional Croatian ingredients explained on a funny, irreverent menu. The chef prepares the dishes in an open kitchen, and both the kitchen staff and waitstaff are engaging and eager to offer recommendations.
Located in a quiet area a few miles out of town, Dvor offers up a superior rendition of Croatian seafood and professional service. Alfesco tables have outstanding views, and there's an outdoor grill as well as parking, which is a luxury in Split.
A seven-minute drive from the Old Town, Kadena serves Mediterranean seafood and meat dishes with a contemporary twist in a modern space. Don't miss Dalmatia's trademark salata od hobotnice (octopus salad) as an appetizer, and enjoy pairings with the rich wine list, full of local and global liquid treasures.
Relaxed and romantic, this typical Dalmatian restaurant has exposed stone walls and heavy wooden furniture. With fewer frills than some of Split's more modern eateries, it stays true to tradition, offering the classic fare expected from an authentic spot. Located just outside the palace walls, a five-minute walk from the Golden Gate, it is slightly hidden and easy to miss.
This morning-to-night restaurant is the perfect place to sit over coffee or a glass of local wine and absorb the 2,000 years of magnificent architecture surrounding you in the Old Town. Pop in for an omelet in the morning to fuel up for the day, enjoying your surroundings before the streets fill up with crowds.
Above the ACI Marina and at the foot of Marjan Hill, this mostly seafood restaurant has a light and airy, minimalist interior, as well as a summer terrace. In the spirit of slow food, the kitchen gives great care to fresh seasonal ingredients and presentation. The former owner, Zoran Grašo, is a retired basketball player, and his son Petar is a famous singer, so you may still spot some local celebrities from time to time among the diners.
Serving tasty tapas, brunch, and breakfast, Soul is a sweet place to pop into when you get tired of meandering through the Old Town. A five-minute walk from the Peristil, this affordable spot is loved by locals and offers dining in a courtyard between stone buildings or in a suavely decorated interior with wood paneling and records as wall art.
This cozy restaurant has become popular because of its reasonably priced menu and quaint atmosphere. The Italo-Dalmatian menu features pasta dishes, seafood risottos, and old-fashioned local fish specialties such as škampi na buzaru (scampi in red sauce) and pečene srdele s blitvom (grilled sardines with chard).
This lounge-style café terrace is known for breathtaking views of the city and sea. Besides a full menu with soups and salads, as well as pasta, fish, and meat mains, they're open for coffee starting at 8 am—convenient if you need to wet your whistle after trekking up Marjan Hill.
Located in a narrow back alley, this cozy little space attracts a young fun crowd with its Dalmatian takes on Mexican and Latin American street food. It offers good food and great prices for lunch and dinner (along with brunch on the weekend), with some gluten-free options.
Stop in at Uje and sample some of the region's best olive oil, as well as a choice selection of Croatian cheese, prosciutto, and wine. This quaint back-alley tapas bar bases its menu on delicious olive oil, changes meals according to season, and sources many ingredients from local organic family farms.
Located right on the ACI Marina in Split, Zrno Soli means "grain of salt." This sophisticated spot serves elegantly presented fare—both fish and some meat options—including tasting menus with the freshest seafood options that can (and should) be accentuated with wine.