Summary
Croatia’s cuisine has been influenced by several cultures, resulting in distinctive regional dishes. Depending on which region of Croatia you’re visiting, you may encounter flavors reflecting Italian, Austrian, Hungarian, or Turkish influences.
The emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients and homestyle cooking creates a slow food experience worth savoring, complemented by a fine selection of local wines and high-quality extra virgin olive oils.
Here are 12 traditional dishes to try during your explorations in Croatia.
1. Crni Rižoto
This popular delicacy, especially in coastal regions like Dalmatia, is Crni rižoto (black risotto). This rice dish, similar to Italian risotto, is prepared with squid, whose ink turns the rice an intense black. Other seafood options include cuttlefish, octopus, clams, and mussels.
2. Zagorski Štrukli
This traditional dish originates from Hrvatsko Zagorje and Zagreb. It consists of a flat and thin pastry resembling strudel, filled with cheese, eggs, and sour cream. The sweet version includes sugar and is baked until golden.
3. Burek
Burek is a cherished snack, easily found in bakeries. Made from flaky dough filled with meat, cheese, spinach, potato, or apple, it’s a hearty breakfast or anytime snack.
4. Ćevapi
Commonly seen on menus, Ćevapi are grilled minced meat tubes, made from beef, lamb, or pork, often served with ajvar, a thick red pepper sauce, and flatbread called lepinja.
5. Maneštra
Maneštra is a hearty vegetable soup similar to Italian minestrone. Made with beans, grains, and vegetables like potatoes and cabbage, it’s especially popular in Istria and traditionally made with pork stock.
6. Peka
Peka represents a traditional slow-cooking technique used in Dalmatia, often involving meat or seafood cooked over an open fire. Ingredients are sealed with a lid and roasted to perfection, typically requiring advance order due to preparation time.
7. Fuži
Homemade pasta is an Istrian staple. Fuži, tube-shaped pasta, pairs well with hearty meat-based sauces, wild asparagus, or truffles, reflecting the Italian influence in the region.
8. Pašticada
This elaborate Dalmatian dish is perfect for special occasions. Marinated beef is cooked with vegetables, prunes, and prošek, a sweet wine, before being served with homemade pasta, delivering rich and complex flavors.
9. Pršut
Pršut is dry-cured ham similar to Italian prosciutto, especially from regions like Istria. It’s served as an appetizer accompanied by cheese, bread, and wine, celebrating local culinary traditions.
10. Brodet
Brodet is a traditional Dalmatian seafood stew, seasoned with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil. Often served with palenta, it highlights the region’s rich maritime culture.
11. Soparnik
Soparnik is a traditional flatbread from central Dalmatia, filled with Swiss chard and baked in a wood-fired oven, producing a delightful vegetarian option often enhanced with garlic and olive oil.
12. Povrće na Žaru
This dish features simply roasted vegetables, including peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, and zucchini. As a popular side dish found across Croatia, it provides a flavorful yet healthy option for many meals.
