In recent years, Dubrovnik has emerged as a popular destination for tourists with more and more people visiting every year.
The stunning walled city sits on Croatia’s southern coast providing magnificent views of the Adriatic Sea. Despite only having a population of around 40,000 it welcomes tourists from all over the globe every year. Such is Dubrovnik’s history it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and remains a great getaway city destination.
Located across the water from Italy, the city has a lot of Mediterranean influence when it comes to the food native to the area. As the summer holiday season begins to hot up, it is all about al fresco dining and Dubrovnik boasts a huge array of eateries. You can enjoy some quintessential Croatian culinary delights while gazing out upon the Adriatic.
If you are looking for some authentic Croatian foods to try, here are my top dishes to try.
1. Crni Rizoto
Translated as black cuttlefish risotto and pronounced “tserni riz-oto”, crni rizoto is a culinary delight that may not look like the most appealing meal you could have but it is a taste sensation!
A small piece of hugely fresh and flavoursome cuttlefish, no doubt caught in the nearby bays in the morning, is sat on a bed of risotto painted with squid ink to create a real treat for the tastebuds. It combines a real meaty fish taste with the softness of the rice complete with a hint of squid.
Due to its location, Dubrovnik relies heavily on the sea for creating some truly great dishes you are unlikely to find in other parts of the world and crni rizoto is a specialty of the city. Building on the area’s rich fishing heritage, this light meal can be enjoyed as either a lunch or dinner.
Where to eat: Check out Villa Ruza Restaurant & Lounge Bar on the Kolocep island.
2. Pašticada
With a nod to its Balkan heritage, pašticada is a major staple in the diet of Croats and many of the surrounding Eastern European countries. There is a slight difference in receipe wherever you go in the region but the Dalmatian pašticada is where the dish originated so you will get a thick authentic slice of Croatia.
Pašticada is essentially a beef stew but is cooked in a special sauce popular across the country. Similar to the famous goulash enjoyed across central and Eastern Europe, pašticada is Croatia’s take on this type of stew.
The meat is stuffed with garlic, cloves, carrots and bacon before being salted and left to marinate overnight. It is then roasted with bacon, onions, parsley, nutmeg, prunes, tomato and prosek to create a hugely tender texture and served with gnocchi.
An absolute must if you’re looking for a hearty evening meal.
Where to eat: The best pašticada can be found at Restaurant Kopun on Poljana Rudera Boskovica 7.
3. Dalmatian Prosciutto
If you are looking for a light snack during the day, then Dalmatian prosciutto, or pršut in Croatian, is just the ticket. Taking inspiration from its Italian neighbours across the Adriatic, the Dalmatian version of prosciutto is delicious when served on a slice of crusty bread with a drizzle of olive oil.
Made from fresh pork ham on the bone, the prosciutto is made in a similar method to its Italian counterpart. It is salted with sea salt, smoked and then allowed to mature for a minimum of 12 months. Only sea salt is added to the meat during the process.
Where to eat: Snack on some Dalmatian prosciutto at Poklisar Restaurant situated on Ribarnica 1 in Dubrovnik.
4. Bakalar na Bijelo
Another favourite among Croatian locals and tourists alike is bakalar na bijelo, translated as salted cod with potatoes. Playing to the strengths of Dubrovnik’s fishing communities, this refreshing dish is great for enjoying with a few glasses of local white wine.
Bakalar na bijelo is popular across all of Croatia and neighbouring Serbia. The salt cod is soaked for up to two day to remove the saltiness before it touches the pan. It is cooked with lemon and sauteed with garlic to create a truly delicious dish. Served with potatoes and parsley, it gives a real taste of Eastern Europe. It is the perfect meal to unwind with after a long day.
Where to eat: Tuck into some bakalar na bijelo at Restaurant Komin situated on Iva Dulcica 136.
5. Dubrovnik Rožata
For those of you with a sweet tooth must try one of Croatia’s most-loved desserts – rožata. Originating in Dubrovnik, this is the region’s take on crème brûlée and is truly delicious and surprisingly light.
The dessert is custard-based with a hard crust on top which gives way to a decadent centre. All of which goes perfectly with a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
The name of the dish comes from the unique Dubrovnik Liqueur Rozalin, also known as rose liqueur. This alcoholic beverage gives the dessert a unique aroma and is a great way to round off a dinner as the sun sets in Dubrovnik.
Where to eat: Indulge your sweet tooth at Nautika on Brsalje 3.
These delicacies are just some of the delicious culinary classics Croatia has to offer. If, like me, this has got your tastebuds going then Dubrovnik is only a couple hours away from most European destinations – you can try it all for yourself! View my Croatia travel tips for more recommendations.
