16 Best Restaurants in Kvarner, Croatia

Quite possibly the most romantic restaurant in Rab Town, this spot has a garden terrace located right next to the ancient city walls. Soft intimate lighting and linen-topped tables accompany traditional Mediterranean cuisine served in a modern style. The wine list showcases the region's award-winners and the staff is eager to help guests select the best option. 

Many of the yachts that line the harbor unload their human cargo at this small restaurant, which enjoys a big reputation for fresh fish dinners. Tuna carpaccio, shark on the grill, and lobster na buzaru (cooked with wine) are all great. Carnivores will be pleased with a couple of land-based courses as well. The restaurant's terrace is lively and leafy. Baracuda's size, matched with its good name, makes an early arrival or a reservation advisable.

This modern Alpine-style restaurant is a breath of fresh air, thanks to its contemporary versions of traditional favorites including goulash, bear stew, grilled venison steaks, and hunter's dumplings. All are served in an elegant contemporary setting in a lush green forest environment. If you can, try the fried frog legs, venison risotto, or trout crumble, and finish with whatever flavor of homemade strudel they're baking that day. 

This casual fine-dining experience is as relaxed and intimate as it is an enjoyable gourmet meal. When choosing the tasting menu, it is not hard to detect the passion for quality that has been invested into the selection of the produce and the selection of wines. The precision with which the food is prepared, such as marinated shrimp tails on a slice of Učka skut (ricotta-like cheese) served on a stone plate with dehydrated olives, reminds us of why we go out to eat. It is not just to eat, but in order to enjoy excellent food that has been prepared by experienced and masterful chefs.

Cres is famous for its lamb, and although the majority of restaurants have it on the menu, Bukaleta is the place for the best on the island. Located in the small village of Loznati, just 10 km (6 miles) south of Cres Town, Bukaleta has been run by the same family for more than 30 years. The cozy interior is rustic with a large open fireplace, a collection of old tools and pots and its namesake bukaleta, a traditional jug made of clay from which wine is normally shared around the table. The large outdoor terrace can accommodate 100 people.

Tucked away in an alley right next to Rijeka's fish market, quaint Fiume fills with locals at lunchtime but closes early (by 6 pm). Unpretentious and friendly with a small streetside terrace, the tavern serves mostly seafood but also meat and pasta dishes. Prices are pleasantly affordable, and it's an atmospheric spot for the family to enjoy.

Tucked away in a narrow side street between Srednja and Gornja in Rab Town, this konoba is warm and inviting, with exposed-stone walls, traditional decor, and rustic furniture. Grilled fish and meat are the house specialties, and the menu offers a good choice of pastas and risotto.

In the neighborly village of Volosko, where old stone houses are fixed precariously close to one another and give shape to the one road, this restaurant justifies spending an afternoon or evening in a setting that is not to be missed. The intimate artistic atmosphere tells you everything you need to know about the owners and how sincere they are about sharing good food, much of which is produced on their family farm in Istria. Don't forget to take home a pint or two of their homemade pistachio or hazelnut gelato.

Tucked away in the Old Town, this charming café-museum has a wonderful courtyard that's ideal for chilling out and enjoying a lemonade after exploring Rab Town. Sit inside and watch as they prepare the famed rabska torta, a traditional Croatian cake made of ground almonds, maraschino liqueur, lemon, and orange peel. Take home a freshly made torta or a bag of rosemary and orange cookies.

Many locals consider Nada's outdoor terrace the best place to enjoy a glass of crisp Žlahtina wine, island cheeses, seafood crudo, and homemade bread on a late summer afternoon. The sweeping views from its cliffside perch are magnificent and the homemade wines are refreshing. Just across the street, the main restaurant offers a sophisticated indoor seating area and a front terrace lined with traditional wooden tables. But skip those and head to the top-tiered terraces, where views over the sea under billowing white sailcloth add an unbeatable level of romance. Don't skip the seafood risotto, tuna tartare, and šurlice with mussels. 

With unbelievable panoramic views of the Kvarner Bay, this Michelin-starred restaurant within the Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa brings a whole new level of sophistication to the food and beverage scene in Rijeka. Chef Deni Srdoc creates tasting menus that feature traditional ingredients and regional specialties with a clever modern flair. A wine list highlights the excellence of Croatian wineries, as well as international labels. 

This upscale restaurant combines the best of local organic ingredients with Japanese cooking techniques and tastes. As good as Mediterranean food is, it can often leave your taste buds yearning for something more exotic, and the chef here introduces a masterful Japanese style to the menu. In this part of the world, Japanese cooking is often a poor imitation of the real thing, but this pricey diversion from the typical fish restaurants is unique, uniquely good, and well worth the hefty prices.

This classic seafood restaurant has a long tradition of superior service and sophisticated dishes but lacks much of the pretense usually attached to such accolades. This is not a restaurant that rests on its past laurels, as is clear from the modern menu additions like the Tuna 2F, a fresh-fusion cold starter tuna tartare with sashimi and chips, or the duck mousse with caramelized onions on toast. The chef is clearly striving to ensure that the restaurant stays relevant by serving not just the traditional fresh fish classics that have won over diners in the past.

Tucked in a corner just off the main walking area, this family-friendly spot is a great place to come for a healthier burger. Try the homemade fries with shaved Grana Padano cheese and tartufi (truffle) sauce. Great vegan options include several protein-packed salads and vegetarian burgers. The restaurant is a local chain with locations in Zagreb, Zadar, Split, and Belgrade and makes consistent efforts to be socially responsible by fundraising for local charities and causes. 

This family-owned restaurant offers regional and local Rab specialties, such as seafood risotto, homemade pasta with mussels and shrimp, seafood crudo, grilled meats, and locally caught fish. All are served with a friendly welcoming attitude in a cool modern environment.

If you ask locals where to go on Krk for incredible seafood in a scenic setting, you'll hear this restaurant recommended over and over again. Located right on the water in the small fishing village of Klimno (the north end of the island), this family-run establishment combines delicious traditional dishes like whole brancin (sea bass), slow-roasted u soli (under salt), and šurlice with Kvarner scampi with gorgeous seaside views. Tables are right on the quay, and many diners arrive by yacht. Best to reserve a table, particularly if you want to dine during sunset (and you do).