The Best Restaurants in Split, Croatia

From hidden konobas to upscale bistros, here are the best restaurants in Split, Croatia, for authentic food and unforgettable meals.

Split might be the gateway to Croatia’s island-dotted coast, but don’t mistake it for just a jumping-off point. Spend even a day here and you’ll see — Split is a destination in its own right, especially if you’re someone who travels on your stomach.

As a travel writer who spends most of the year just across the water in Puglia — I recently decided to give Split the kind of deep dive it deserves (yet I also visited on several other occasions from London). I wasn’t in Split for a cruise stop or a quick photo op at Diocletian’s Palace. I came to eat — properly. Long lunches, thoughtful cooking, and of course, a few glasses of local Pošip.

What stood out to me in Split was the way the city does food — simple, regional, and ingredient-driven. You’ll find plenty of classic Dalmatian dishes: grilled fish, pašticada with homemade gnocchi, squid-ink risotto, and vegetables like chard and potatoes cooked in olive oil.

There’s also a growing number of restaurants pushing things forward with modern techniques and presentation, but without losing that sense of place. Doesn’t matter if it’s a casual konoba or a contemporary plant-based kitchen, the focus stays the same: local ingredients, seasonal cooking, and bold, unfussy flavors.

This is your curated list of where to eat in Split — the restaurants, taverns, and contemporary kitchens that impressed me not just with their food, but with their overall appeal. These are the best restaurants in Split, Croatia.

12 Best Restaurants in Split, Croatia

1. ZOI

ZOI is one of Split’s most polished dining experiences — a fine-dining restaurant that feels comfortably rooted in its setting without slipping into cliché. Set on the edge of the Riva with a terrace built into the actual walls of Diocletian’s Palace, it leans into drama in all the right ways: sea views, ancient stone, and a menu that gives Dalmatian flavors a modern, Mediterranean twist.

The food is elegant but not fussy — think tuna tartare with citrus and crisp textures, slow-cooked veal with seasonal vegetables, or Adriatic seafood prepared with restraint and clarity.

The wine list is deep, the service is refined, and the atmosphere manages to stay relaxed despite the setting. ZOI isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about elevating what’s already good. If you’re after a long lunch or sunset dinner with a touch of ceremony, this is also one of the best restaurants in Split, Croatia, with a view.

Book ahead and ask for a table on the top floor, on the outdoor terrace for the best views.

2. Šug

Tucked just off the main tourist paths on Tolstojeva Street, Šug (which means “sauce” in Croatian) offers honest, modern takes on Dalmatian and Mediterranean cuisine. This Michelin-listed gem strikes a perfect balance between casual and polished—a local favorite that also draws visitors who care about substance over spectacle.

Run by chefs Duje Kanajet and Mateo Kordić—both talented and well-regarded in Split’s culinary scene—Šug is known for its daily-changing marenda (traditional Dalmatian lunches) and robust take on seafood stews like tećada, packed with fish, scampi, clams, and even lobster.

Their signature tomato soup and pašticada with homemade gnocchi, which I had to try, were both fantastic and full of emotional flavors and comforting textures.

The food is thoughtful and rooted—fresh family‑farm produce, locally caught fish, and sauces cooked over live fire—while the ambiance feels lived-in, warm, and relaxed, especially on the leafy inner terrace.

3. Bokeria Kitchen & Wine

Bokeria was one of my first real introductions to Croatian wine — and honestly, there couldn’t have been a better setting for it. The space feels like something lifted from Barcelona or Milan: stylish, buzzy, and effortlessly cool, with soaring ceilings, a wall of wine, and an open kitchen that anchors the energy. It’s right in the heart of the Old Town, and while it’s popular, it still manages to feel curated rather than chaotic.

Their wine list is a true gateway into Croatia’s diverse wine regions — from crisp whites from Istria to bold reds from the Pelješac Peninsula. I remember my first glass of Plavac Mali here: dark, earthy, and full of character, just like the food.

On the table that night was a silky, indulgent prosciutto pasta dish (the kind you don’t share), and an oxtail risotto that was all depth and comfort — rich, slow-cooked, and totally memorable.

Bokeria is a top restaurant in Split— a little elevated, a little scene-y, but always satisfying and a good evening out.

4. Konoba Fetivi

Konoba Fetivi is a family-run and proudly local konoba. It sits just outside the tourist crush of the Riva in the old Varoš neighborhood — a quieter corner of the city where life still feels lived-in.

This is classic Dalmatian cooking, well-sourced seafood, and time-honored recipes. I came for the grilled fish — caught that morning, simply seasoned, and cooked over an open flame — and stayed for the black risotto, rich and briny with cuttlefish, and the slow-cooked pašticada that tasted like it had been simmering for hours (because it had).

Fetivi doesn’t need to reinvent anything. It’s about consistency, tradition, and that rare kind of hospitality that feels more like being invited to someone’s home than dining at a restaurant. If you want one essential, no-nonsense Split meal, this is it.

5. Zinfandel Food & Wine Bistro

Tucked into a narrow stone alley just steps from the Riva, Zinfandel is where I really started to understand Croatian wine. The bistro leans heavily into its namesake grape (yes, Zinfandel was born here), but the wine list goes well beyond—highlighting boutique producers from across the country, with plenty available by the glass.

It’s approachable, well-curated, and the perfect place to get to know Croatian wine without needing a sommelier certification to navigate it.

The menu is modern bistro fare with a Mediterranean accent—fresh, thoughtful, and built to complement the wines rather than compete with them. Dishes are seasonal and creative, and the plating leans more refined than rustic.

The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between casual and elevated: a place where you can pop in for a glass and a snack, or stay for a slow, wine-soaked evening.

6. Zrno Soli

Located on the first floor of Split’s ACI Marina, Zrno Soli (literally “a grain of salt”) is one of the best restaurants in Split, Croatia, for elevated Mediterranean dining with panoramic seafront views.

This Michelin venue focuses on fresh, locally caught seafood —often selected from the display and cooked with a modern twist.

Led by chefs like Branimir Prnjak and Adrian Marković, the kitchen crafts dishes that marry tradition with contemporary technique—think langoustine, monkfish, squid, or lobster presented with precision and clarity. The restaurant also offers tasting menus and an omakase-style experience that takes you on a culinary tour of Dalmatia’s flavors—each course is all about seasonality and heritage.

A meal here is not just about the food: the terrace overlooking docked yachts and the Old Town skyline, combined with polished service, makes Zrno Soli feel both luxurious and warm. Whether you’re after a seafood-forward à la carte dinner or a sculpted tasting experience, this is where modern culinary craftsmanship meets Adriatic charm. Make sure to book ahead.

7. MOKOSH

MOKOSH is a refreshing addition to Split’s dining scene — modern, thoughtful, and quietly confident. Located just beyond the main tourist drag, it offers a clean break from the usual Dalmatian staples with a menu that’s fully vegetarian and built around what’s fresh, local, and in season.

This is a restaurant that knows exactly what it wants to do. The dishes are precise and balanced: roasted vegetables layered with flavor, fermented elements for depth, and house-made breads that anchor every plate. Nothing is trying too hard — the food speaks for itself through good technique and smart combinations.

The design is minimalist and grounded, with neutral tones, clean lines, and a focus on natural textures. The wine list leans toward organic and biodynamic Croatian producers, all chosen to complement the produce-driven menu.

For those looking for something creative, sustainable, and outside the traditional seafood circuit, MOKOSH stands out. It’s one of the most distinctive and quietly progressive restaurants in the city right now, and don’t let the vegetarian aspect put you off.

8. Lola Split

Lola is tucked away on a quiet street just off the Old Town, offering a calm escape from Split’s busy center. The atmosphere is modern and relaxed—neutral colors, clean lines, and daylight filtering in through simple windows.

On the menu, you’ll find a mix of Mediterranean-first dishes: small plates of fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, and thoughtful meat entrees, all priced accessibly and beautifully executed.

It’s the ideal restaurant in Split for a light lunch or even settling down for a full dinner. Lola delivers reliable, well-cooked food without fuss. It’s a contemporary spot that plays well for both casual meals and more polished evenings—a low-key local favorite with a clear vision.

9. Chops Grill – Steak & Seafood

Chops Grill is Split’s go-to for a refined steak-and-seafood experience, combining quality ingredients, a sleek setting, and attentive service.

The focus here is on premium cuts — from Black Angus ribeye to Wagyu — alongside fresh Adriatic seafood, grilled to perfection. The open kitchen adds to the energy, while the dining room strikes a balance between upscale and relaxed, with soft lighting and a modern, unfussy design.

Service is polished and professional, with staff who are knowledgeable, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. For lovers of meat and seafood, here you’ll find perfectly cooked steak, seafood platters, and well-executed cocktails to round out the evening.

10. Konoba Varoš

Konoba Varoš is one of the most traditional spots on this list of the best restaurants in Split — the kind of place where time slows down and the menu hasn’t changed much in years, for all the right reasons.

Located in the old fishermen’s quarter that gives the konoba its name, it serves classic Dalmatian comfort food in a warm, rustic setting with stone walls, wooden beams, and just the right amount of lived-in charm.

The menu covers all the local hits: grilled squid, black risotto, pašticada with gnocchi, and generous platters of seafood cooked simply, without fuss. Portions are hearty, prices are fair, and the service is friendly in that no-frills, genuinely hospitable way.

If you’re after a relaxed, authentic meal in a space that still feels deeply local, Konoba Varoš is an easy pick.

11. Konoba Stare Grede

Konoba Stare Grede is further out from the Riva but well worth the trip for this absolute hidden gem — a place I stumbled upon while looking for something off the tourist radar, and it quickly became one of the best surprises of my time in Split.

Tucked into a quiet residential street, this family-run spot feels more like a local’s dining room than a restaurant. The interior is rustic and cozy, with exposed beams, stone walls, and vintage Dalmatian charm — no frills, just atmosphere.

The menu is packed with traditional favorites: grilled meats, čevapi, homemade gnocchi, rich stews, and standout pašticada that tastes like it came straight from a grandmother’s kitchen. The prices are refreshingly reasonable, the portions are generous, and the welcome is warm.

It’s not trendy or polished, but that’s exactly the point — Konoba Stare Grede is one of the best hidden gems in Split if you’re after a meal with heart, heritage, and zero pretense.

12. Pandora Greenbox

Pandora Greenbox ranks among the top plant-based restaurants in Split — a clean, contemporary gem that champions vibrant, health-driven cuisine with serious flair. Located on Obrov Street, it spotlights local, seasonal produce in dishes like beet tartar, Swiss chard risotto, crispy polenta with ajvar, and sweet potato gnocchi—each plate meticulously balanced and bursting with flavor.

The setting blends greenery with modern minimalism, offering both indoor and garden seating that’s relaxed yet thoughtfully designed. Service here is warm and helpful, perfect for both a nourishing brunch or a refined dinner.

The food was absolutely delicious, with a variety of creative dishes that were both flavorful and beautifully presented. If you’re seeking one of the best restaurants in Split, Croatia that’s fully plant-based without sacrificing taste or style, Pandora Greenbox delivers.

What to Eat in Split

Before heading to Split’s best restaurants, it’s worth getting to know a few of the local specialties that define Dalmatian cooking. Rooted in simplicity and fresh, seasonal ingredients, the cuisine here is all about letting the Adriatic and the land speak for themselves.

These are some traditional dishes to try in Split if you want to eat like a local.

Pašticada – Slow-cooked beef stew marinated in vinegar and red wine, often served with homemade gnocchi. A Sunday classic.

Black Risotto (Crni rižot) – Creamy risotto made with cuttlefish or squid, colored with their ink. Briny, rich, and deeply flavorful.

Grilled Fish – Typically served whole, with blitva (Swiss chard and potatoes) and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.

Blitva sa krumpirom – A humble but delicious side dish of sautéed Swiss chard and potatoes with garlic and olive oil.

Brodet (or Brudet) – A rustic fish stew made with a mix of seafood and served with polenta. Every household has its own recipe.

Stuffed Peppers (Punjene paprike) – Bell peppers filled with minced meat and rice, simmered in a savory tomato sauce.

Octopus Salad – Light, refreshing, and usually made with potatoes, capers, parsley, olive oil, and lemon.

Soparnik – A traditional Dalmatian flat pie filled with chard, garlic, and onion, baked in a wood oven and brushed with olive oil.

Fritule – Mini Dalmatian doughnuts, often served around the holidays but available in bakeries year-round.

In terms of wine, Split is the perfect place to start exploring Dalmatia’s wine scene. For reds, Plavac Mali is the standout — a bold, full-bodied wine with dark fruit and spice, perfect alongside grilled meats or a hearty pašticada.

Babić offers something a bit more structured and earthy, while Crljenak Kaštelanski — the original Zinfandel grape — brings a taste of local heritage in every glass.

On the white side, Pošip is a go-to: crisp, mineral, and slightly salty, ideal with seafood. You’ll also find rarer varietals like Grk, an aromatic and slightly bitter white grown mostly on Korčula, and Debit, a light, zippy wine that’s great with starters and vegetable dishes.

Most restaurants in Split feature local wines by the glass, making it easy to try a few different styles without overcommitting — just ask your server for something regional and seasonal, and you’re in good hands.

So, which top restaurant in Split, Croatia, do you plan to visit? Let me know below, I’d love to hear from you.

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