11 Best Restaurants in Zadar, Croatia

From grilled octopus to plant-based plates, these are the Zadar restaurants worth booking (and revisiting).

The best restaurants in Zadar offer more than just a meal—they give you a sense of place. I’ve spent enough time in this city to know that while it’s easy to get lured in by the views or the proximity to the Sea Organ, the best dining often happens a few streets back, away from the busy squares and laminated tourist menus.

Zadar’s food scene is quieter than Split’s and less flashy than Dubrovnik’s, but it’s thoughtful, rooted, and surprisingly varied if you know where to look.

At first glance, it might seem like every menu is serving the same grilled fish, black risotto, and octopus salad—but spend a few days here, and you’ll start to notice the nuance: the konoba that still uses a wood-fired grill, the seafood that tastes like it came off a boat that morning, the places where the olive oil is house-pressed and the wine list isn’t just an afterthought.

In Zadar, you’ll find old-school family-run spots that haven’t changed in years (for good reason), and newer kitchens leaning into seasonal produce and more modern plating.

Some come with white tablecloths and a view of the marina, others are tucked down stone alleyways with mismatched chairs and exceptional Mediterranean cuisine. And then there are the quiet surprises—like the fully plant-based bistro doing wildly creative takes on Dalmatian staples.

Whether you’re after a long lunch in the shade, a sunset dinner with a bottle of Pošip, or something simple and satisfying between swims, these are the best restaurants in Zadar I genuinely recommend. 

11 Best Restaurants in Zadar, Croatia

1. Kaštel

Located within the medieval bastions of Zadar’s charming old town, Kastel at Hotel Bastion is a gastronomic gem where Dalmatian soul meets contemporary flair. The Michelin‑listed eatery weaves local tradition—think creamy Pag cheese, octopus stew, stuffed squid—into sleek, modern plates kissed with Italian influence.

When I was here, the menu featured dishes like tuna tartar, which was perfectly balanced with avocado and a hint of wasabi, black risotto with smoked seabass ice cream, and almond‑crusted lamb chops. 

The service is polished yet warm, and we chose to sit on the alfresco terrace dining with sweeping marina vistas. For refined Dalmatian classics, a sunset‑soaked romantic feast, or a special occasion, Kastel delivers an unforgettable fine dining experience in Zadar.

2. 4 Kantuna

Sitting on a busy corner just outside the city walls, away from the sunset-chasing crowds and craft cocktail distractions, 4 Kantuna quietly does what it’s been doing for years: turning out very good, unfussy Dalmatian food in generous portions and without theatrics.

No QR codes, no mood lighting—just fast-moving waiters in branded polos, a laminated menu that hasn’t tried to reinvent itself in a decade, and a kitchen that knows exactly what it’s doing.

The black cuttlefish risotto is textbook—inky, rich, and confidently seasoned, with none of the overcooked starchiness that often sneaks in when restaurants rush it. Truffle pasta comes in a heavy ceramic bowl, coated in a proper sauce, not a drizzle, and delivers on flavour without leaning on theatrics. 

There’s pizza too—better than expected—with a thin, blistered base and a light hand on the toppings. Prices are reasonable, and the crowd is a mix of locals and in-the-know tourists. It’s not trying to be the best restaurant in Zadar. It’s just very good. Dependable. The kind of place you return to without needing to think about it.

3. Restaurant Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a great place to end up at when you want a proper meal without having to think too hard about it. Tucked just behind the waterfront, it feels polished but not precious—smart waitstaff, white tablecloths, but no pressure to get too dressed up. I went for lunch on a slow, sun-streaked weekday, and the terrace was just busy enough to hum.

The food was clean, classic, and confidently Mediterranean. I started with the grilled calamari—no bells or whistles, just perfectly cooked and plated with a pile of rocket and a squeeze of lemon.

Then came the tagliatelle with prawns, swimming in a light white wine sauce that let the ingredients do the talking. You get the sense the kitchen’s not trying to impress anyone—they just know what works.

It’s not the flashiest place in Zadar, but it is still on the more upscale side, and that’s exactly the point. It’s reliable, well-executed, and knows its audience. If you want to eat well, sit comfortably, and not be distracted by the idea of the place, Bruschetta is where you go.

4. Pet Bunara

Pet Bunara consistently earns its place on any list of the best restaurants in Zadar, and for good reason. It’s set just outside the old town, tucked into a calm little square that feels a world away from the cruise ship crowds and souvenir stalls. The space is minimalist but warm—stone walls, wood accents, a subtle nod to the region without leaning too hard into it.

The cooking is clean, ingredient-driven, and unfussy. I had a barley risotto with roasted vegetables and local sheep’s cheese—rich, earthy, and quietly inventive—followed by slow-cooked lamb that was all depth and tenderness. Everything is sourced locally, from the olive oil to the local wines, and the staff really know what to recommend. 

Pet Bunara just delivers if you’re after homestyle, Croatian cooking—season after season, year after year. If you’re looking for something thoughtful, rooted, and deeply satisfying, this is where you go.

5. Kornat Restaurant

If you’re into seafood dishes—proper seafood —then you’ll want to book a table at Kornat Restaurant. It’s one of the best restaurants in Zadar for elevated, Dalmatian-style fish dishes done with a bit more care and finesse than you’ll find along the promenade.

This isn’t a spot for overly modern or experimental plates, however. The menu sticks close to tradition, but everything’s been tightened up—flavours are clean, plating’s precise, and ingredients are clearly treated with respect.

I had the sea bass, filleted and grilled simply, served with olive oil, lemon, and just enough vegetables to round out the plate without crowding it. Everything tasted fresh and balanced—nothing heavy, nothing drowning in sauce.

The setting feels a bit more polished than other places in town—white tablecloths, proper glassware, and a view out toward the marina if you time it right. It’s the perfect place to go when you want to slow down and eat well. 

6. The Botanist

Just a few steps off the main street, The Botanist is easy to miss—tucked behind potted plants and shaded by a few oversized umbrellas—but those who find it tend to stay a while. The terrace is one of the prettiest in Zadar: all soft lighting, trailing vines, and the low murmur of diners sharing mezze-style plates and wine under the open sky.

It’s got that effortlessly cool, slightly bohemian feel—like it belongs in a bigger city, but is all the better for being right here.

The menu is fully plant-based, but don’t expect bowls of raw kale or preachy slogans. Instead, think inventive, clever combinations: tofu turned smoky and rich, mushrooms turned meaty, sauces that pack flavour without relying on butter or cream.

I tried the “filet mignon” dish—caramelised onion, asparagus, celery root cream, and a broad bean and potato casserole—and it was genuinely impressive. Not an imitation, just its own thing, with enough texture and depth to hold its own.

Service is warm but hands-off, giving you space to linger. Most tables share dishes and pick at them slowly, sipping something local or something herbal, probably both. It’s relaxed, creative, and quietly one of the best places to eat in town—whether you’re vegan or not.

7. Restaurant Malo Misto

As one of Zadar’s best restaurants Malo Misto is an unmissable, more upscale konoba dishing out some of the most delicious food in the city. 

Here I started with the octopus salad—tender, cool slices of octopus tossed with capers, onion, parsley, and just enough olive oil to coat everything without weighing it down. Clean, salty, and exactly what I wanted after a hot day in the city.

Next came the grilled dorado, served whole, the skin blistered and crisp, the flesh pulling away in soft, juicy flakes. It came with a side of blitva—Swiss chard and potato—simple and buttery, with a hit of garlic that tied everything together.

I finished with a glass of rakija, which the waiter brought over without asking, as if it was just part of the flow of the meal. It worked. 

Everything felt straight to the point—well-cooked and properly seasoned. A well-rounded, solid choice in Zadar for lunch or dinner. 

8. La Pegla Restaurant & Grill 

If you’re craving straightforward Mediterranean flavours done properly, La Pegla Restaurant & Grill might just hit the spot. I pulled up a chair one sunny evening and kicked things off with their seafood salad—bright, crisp bites of octopus and shrimp, tossed with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil that tasted of the Adriatic coast.

Next, I dove into a hearty seafood pasta packed with plump mussels and tender calamari—each strand of spaghetti soaked in that briny, tomato‑tinged sauce. It wasn’t flashy, but it hit all the right notes. Then came the showpiece: the grilled octopus. Charred just right, the tentacles gave way with a satisfying snap, seasoned with rock salt and olive oil so simply that each bite felt like a coastal tradition.

To round it all off, the risotto with calamari closed the meal beautifully—creamy rice studded with pieces of tender squid, balancing richness and freshness effortlessly. I washed it down with a local white wine, and by the end, I felt properly fed and genuinely content.

No fuss, just honest cooking and solid execution—exactly what you hope for in a grill-focused Mediterranean joint.

9. Konoba Dalmatina

Konoba Dalmatina isn’t exactly hidden, but it blends in well enough among the stone facades and tight streets of Zadar’s old town that you could easily walk right past it. That would be a mistake.

With outdoor tables tucked under a canopy of vines and a menu that leans heavily on grilled meats and fresh seafood, it’s a place that fills up fast—especially in the evening, when the scent of wood-fired cooking starts drifting out into the alley.

The move here is to start with something off the grill. I went for the mixed meat platter: lamb chops, ćevapi, and pork cutlets, all charred, juicy, and aggressively seasoned in the best way. Sides are simple—grilled veg, potatoes, salad—but it all works together. For something lighter, their fresh fish options hold their own too. A friend had the grilled sea bream and didn’t offer to share, which says enough.

The tables are close, the energy is high, and the service is brisk but friendly. You come for the food, you stay for the relaxed atmosphere—especially if you manage to snag one of the better outdoor seats. Booking ahead is a smart move, particularly in the high summer season. 

10. Konoba Tovar

For those looking for where to eat in Zadar that’s a truly local experience, there’s Konoba Tovar. Konoba Tovar is one of those old-school, family-run spots that feels like it’s been feeding locals for generations—and it probably has.

Tucked into a quiet corner of the old town, it’s all stone walls, handwritten menus, and warm, no-rush hospitality.

The food is exactly what you want on a sun-drenched afternoon: overflowing plates of fried seafood, local cheeses and cured meats, crisp salads, and simple grilled fish done right. Nothing fancy, nothing overworked—just fresh, generous, and full of flavour.

It gets busy at peak lunch hours, so come early or a little later if you want to skip the wait and get a proper seat in the shade.

11. Corte Restaurant

Tucked just behind the Roman Forum, Corte Restaurant sits in the heart of Zadar, but step inside—or better yet, grab a table outside—and you’ll see why it’s earned a steady local following.

With a shaded terrace that catches the late afternoon light and a soft hum of chatter from wine glasses and cutlery, this restaurant in Zadar is the kind of place you settle into rather than just pass through.

The lunch menu leans fresh and unfussy—think burrata with cherry tomatoes, truffle pasta, and well-grilled local fish served with just enough olive oil and sea salt to let it speak for itself. Portions are generous but not overwhelming, and there’s a bit of flair to the plating without it feeling try-hard.

By dinner, the lights dim, the tables fill, and the vibe shifts from laid-back lunch spot to date-night territory, with candlelight flickering off glasses of Dalmatian red.

Whether you come for a quiet weekday lunch or a celebratory dinner, Corte nails that sweet spot between casual and elevated. It’s one of those restaurants that feels like it’s been waiting for you to find it.

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Which of these restaurants in Zadar will you head to? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.