Split restaurants are exciting. Anytime we travel south, we make a detour to Split just to try out another restaurant in Split. However, you need to know one thing about restaurant’s offer in Split (and elsewhere in Croatia): 90% of the Split restaurants serve the same menu. It is a grill, pizza, pasta or risotto. Full stop. For this reason, if you like to eat differently and well during your visit to Split (and Croatia in general), do your research beforehand.
Locals favorite Split restaurants
Every town has restaurants that are trying harder than others to stay true to themselves and their heritage, using local produce, serving traditional and regional dishes either in a fine dining manner or in a casual setting. Below is our list of Split restaurants not to miss on your next visit to Split.
Contents For Split restaurants: where to eat in Split
Split restaurants: upscale & fine dining
Zrno soli
Zrno soli is a fine dining restaurant located in town’s marina. Restaurant has a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea, boats in the marina and the town. The view over the lighted town is especially nice at nighttime. The food is fresh, well cooked, innovative, but it is not spectacular. However, it is a very good restaurant with beautiful views and friendly and efficient service. This is an upscale restaurant and the prices are high (as expected for such a place). This is one of the fine dining Split restaurants.
Contacts | a: Uvala baluni 8, Split | t: +385 21 399 333 | e: zrnosoli.split@gmail.com
Restaurant Dvor
Restaurant Dvot is located 20 minutes walk from the old town. Dvor has a beautiful outdoor garden seating with views over the sea. Make a reservation in advance to get one of their best tables. The restaurant has a stunning location, good food and attentive staff. Their meat and fish dishes are excellent, many are prepared on a charcoal grill, and they have very good desserts. The place is not cheap, but it is a good value for money.
Contacts | a: Put Firula 14 | t: +385 21 571 513 | e: dvor.split@gmail.com | Facebook Page
Restaurant Kadena
Restaurant Kadena is located in Zenta neighborghood. This is an upscale restaurant, serving Croatian classic dishes in an elegant way. From the outdoor terrace, Kadena offers wonderful views over the sea, and nearby islands of Brac and Solta. While we can only say the best things about Kadena’s food and service, we find that the restaurant is rather too large for our taste.
Contacts | a:Ivana pl. Zajca 4, Split | t: +385 21 389 400 | Website
Konoba Nikola Stobrec
This family-run tavern is one of the most popular places to have seafood in and around Split. The seafood here is fresh, local, and simply as good as it gets. Food here is prepared in a simple way, so fish remains flavorful, and tender. A bit hard to find, and out of Split, in neighboring Stobrec, but well worth the trip.
Contacts | a: Ivankova 42, Stobrec, | t: +385 91 1110 113 | Tripadvisor
Split restaurants: mid-scale local taverns
Tavern Fetivi (ex. Matejuska)
Split Restaurants | Tavern Matejuska
Tavern Fetivi (ex. Matejuska) is located close to the harbor. It’s a small, family-run restaurant with great atmosphere and excellent food. The restaurant can accommodate approximately 30 people, half inside, and half at their outdoor terrace. Reservations are needed, especially during the summer. Tavern offers traditional regional dishes mostly based on a seafood, but they have meat dishes as well. Offer changes with the season. Food is prepared in a simple way. Everything served here is very fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and prices are affordable. House wine is cheap and of a good quality. It is one of the highly recommended Split restaurants.
Contacts | a: Tomića Stine 3 | t: +385 21 355 152 | Facebook Page
Villa Spiza
Split Restaurants | Villa Spiza in Split
Villa Spiza is a tiny, charming restaurant located in a small alley in the old town. This little hole in the wall place could be a bit difficult to find, but don’t just give up. If you get lost, just ask locals. There are only two tables for two outside and a counter seating for 7-8 inside. Counter seating inside has a direct views over the kitchen. The food is fresh and locally sourced. There is a daily menu based on what’s available and fresh. If you are looking for a fine dining and intimate atmosphere, this is not a place for you. But if you like authentic, fresh and unpretentious food, prepared in a simple way, this is a place to choose. Prices are reasonable. Portions are a bit moderate, but it is still great value for money. This is one of the must visit Split restaurants.
Contacts | Kružićeva 3 | m: +385 91 152 1249 | Facebook Page
Tavern Kod Hvaranina
Split Restaurants | Tavern Hvaranin
Tavern Kod Hvaranina is a shabby looking restaurant, just out of the Palace walls. Restaurant has a really weary look, but the food is very good. Besides, I like places with such an interior as they make me feel nostalgic, reminding me of some other times. It is a small, family-run restaurant, and you feel it. The service is really warm and welcoming. The food is homely, fresh and tasty. They serve a very good traditional baby beef stew with gnocchi (Cro. pasticada). Seafood served here comes from local fishermen. Prices are reasonable. Cash only.
Contacts | a: Ban Mladenova 9, Split | m: +385 91 767 5891
Uje Oil Bar
Split Restaurants | Uje Oil Bar
Uje Oil Bar is a tapas style restaurant, located at the heart of Split old town. It opened recently, in May 2013. The place has a very good vibe, friendly staff, tasty food, excellent choice of olive oils and wines. The food is served on wooden boards, and in a tinware. The warm dishes’ menu is updated daily, while cold cuts, marinated fish, and a choice of olive oils are available daily. Prices are reasonable.
Contacts | a: Dominisova 3, Split | m: +385 95 200 8008 | Facebook Page
Tavern Buffet Fife
Split Restaurants – Buffet Fife Split
Tavern Buffet Fife is located just outside the town walls and a 3-minute walk from the seafront promenade. This place is an institution for people of Split. It’s been there for ages and locals love eating here. The restaurant is as authentic as it gets, and the prices are very affordable. It has a lively vibe, and sometimes grumpy staff, but it is all the part of the folklore. It is an excellent place to try local cuisine. Ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and the portions are massive. This is one of Split restaurants where locals and tourists mingle together.
Contacts | a: Trumbiceva obala 11, Split | t: +385 21 345 223
Tavern Stare Grede
Tavern Stare Grede is located 1 km from the old town. It is rustically decorated tavern, with rustic wooden benches and tables, and stone walls. This restaurant is very popular with locals. The place is family-run and the food is homemade. During the winter they often have game on menu, as the owner is a hunter. Everything is made from scratch and the produce is locally sourced.
Contacts | a: Domovinskog Rata 46, Split | t: +385 21 485 501 | Facebook Page
Konoba Matoni
This lovely tavern with vaulted ceilings is located near Bacvice beach. It’s offers a typical Dalmatian (Mediterranean) dishes, made of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a real gem, and one of the rare places in Split where vegetarians (and even vegans) can indulge in more succulent and elaborate food (instead of eating side dishes in fish / meat focused restaurants). Menu changes seasonally.
Contacts | a: Prilaz brace Kaliterna, Split, | t: +385 21 278 457 | Website
Corto Maltese
Opened in April 2015, Corto Maltese quickly gained regular patrons for its cozy interior, laid-back atmosphere, friendly stuff, great food, big portions, and affordable prices. Food is fresh and made on spot. Corto Maltese is more of a hang out place than your typical restaurant. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you can also just pop up here for a coffee, or a local beer. Good value for money.
Contacts | a: Obrov ul. 7, Split, | t: +385 21 587 201 | Tripadvisor
Food & Wine Bars
Wine & Cheese Bar Paradox
Split Restaurants | Photo credit: Wine & Cheese Bar Paradox
Wine & Cheese Bar Paradox is the the most popular Split restaurant on Tripadvisor. This is not a full-service restaurant. It is a wine & cheese bar, offering over 100 wine labels (many of them served by glass) and choice of small bites (cheese, prosciutto, olives, etc.). It is well located, just few minutes walk from the Palace. Staff is very knowledgeable and eager to help you to choose food and pairing wines. This is very helpful, especially if you are not familiar with Croatian wines. It can be crowded on summer evenings, especially over the weekend.
Contacts | a: Poljana Tina Ujevica 2, Split | t: 021 395 854 | e: fiatlux.split@gmail.com | Facebook Page
Food & Wine Bar Zinfandel
Split Restaurants | Wine & Food Bar Zinfandel
Food & Wine Bar Zinfandel is located in the old part of Split. The place is modern and chic. Design is contemporary with brick walls and big floor to ceiling windows that can open completely. Zinfandel has over 100 international and Croatian wines on offer, as well as wide choice of seasonal tapas and cold platters. Look for their lunch time specials when you get a free glass of house wine with food, or sometimes they just put all the items on the menu at the half price.
Contacts | a: Ulica Marka Marulica 2, Split | t: 385 21 355 135 | Facebook Page
Bokeria Kitchen & Wine
Split Restaurants | Bokeria Kitchen & Wine
Bokeria is a new star on Split’s restaurants sky. Open in 2015, the owners of this place were inspired by Barcelona’s famed market – La Boqueira. This is the exact vibe they created in their restaurant in Split. Two-story interior is beautifully decorated, modern and airy. The menu includes a selection of Croatian tapas-style dishes, but also full meals. Menu changes seasonally. Excellent choice of Croatian wines!
Contacts | a: Domaldova 8, Split | t: +385 21 355 577 | Facebook
Fast food & cheap eateries in Split
Rizzo Sandwiches
Rizzo has been serving sandwiches in Split since 1992, and today it has four locations in Split. They have a great homemade bread (secret of a good sandwich is in a good bread), and a variety of subway style sandwiches, as well as bruschettas. Sandwiches come in two sizes: big, and small. Prices vary from 12 to 20 kn depending on stuffing. You can also choose extra ingredients for additional 2 kn per ingredient.
Contacts | a: Tonciceva 4, Split, | Tripadvisor
Kod None
A no-frill grab-and-go kind of place serving good old greasy full-of-carb food, like fried calamari, pizza, cevapi (sausage-shaped grilled minced meat), pljeskavica (Balkan-style patties), soparnik (Swiss chard pie), and alike. Great place if you feel like having a bite on the go, getting full quickly for very little money.
Contacts | a: Bosanska 4, Split,
Tavern Tri Volta
Tavern Tri Volta (Zalogajnica Dioklecijan) is a truly special place for people of Split. This restaurant has been here for 40 years. There is no fancy signs, and very few tourist come in. The place is not decorated in a fashionable way. Crowd is mixed, young and old, many people know each other, and the atmosphere is convivial. Food is honest, homemade, it is an excellent place to taste a working class Dalmatian plates. I love this place and the story about it. For those of you who understand Croatian, there is an excellent interview with the owner of the restaurant in Slobodna Dalmacija.
Contacts | a: Dosud 9, Split | t: +385 21 346 683
Restaurant Makrovega
Restaurant Makrovega is the only fully vegetarian restaurant in Split. Since there are plenty of vegetarians visiting Split, I think it is important to list it here. Although it wouldn’t be my first choice. They offer snacks and sandwiches, as well as daily buffet.
Contacts | a: Leština 2, Split | t: +385 21 394 440 | Website
Kantun Paulina
Kantun Paulina, located in Varos neighborhood, is a take-away joint, serving the best cevapi in Split for over 37 years. They also serve other fast food like beef patties, and grilled chicken breasts. It’s cheap. There is always a queue (should be a good sign!).
Contacts | a: Matosica 1, Split
Split restaurants: Location on the map
Have you eaten in any of Split restaurants? What kind of restaurants do you choose when visiting a new place? Let us know in the comments below.
Further reading
- Learn all Split essentials with our Split Travel Guide.
- Plan your activities in Split with our detailed guide to things to do in Split.
- If you plan to stay in Split, check a list of recommended accommodation in Split Croatia.
- Find out where to eat in Split with our post on best restaurants in Split.
- Detailed info on Split beaches you’ll find here.
- A list of Split bars and clubs.
We loved our month in Split and loved trying some delicious new foods! Just came across this article and we ate at a few on this list on our last trip that were really really great, but there are plenty more that we have not tried yet…we will be back in Croatia in a few weeks, if we make our way back to Split we will try some of these for sure. And perhaps get another Cevapi from Kantun Paulina while we are at it as you are right, they do do the best cevapi 🙂
Glad you found it useful, Chris! Did you go back?
Thanks for the info, Frank G 🙂
I will be sailing through the Dalmatian Islands on the first week of July – we are a group of 8 – and we will have one late dinner (after 22:30) at the arrival day and a lunch the next day in Split.
What can you recommend us? We like great food at cool places (don’t we all ;-))
If you have suggestions regarding what to see on the islands, let me know 🙂
Cristina
Hi Cristina,
late night dinner should definitely be arranged in advance. Most restaurants keeps kitchen open until 23 (while dining room works longer). It all depends what you look for. My favorite fish restaurant in and around Split is Nikola in Stobrec (although not cheap, it is a good value for money). Other places to consider: Konoba Fetivi, Pimpinella, Uje Oil Bar, Matoni. Hope this helps! Enjoy it!
I think we went to the tourist traps in Split! We need to go back asap 🙂
Thanks for this list.
No problem, Hannah! Thanks for reading!
Hi Frank, the other night we went to Tavern Kod Hvaranina in Split. Very cosy place. Local feel with good food and nice people. Thanks for the recommendation. Tavern Kod Hvaranina does take credit cards, so you can update your post ;-D
Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this. I’ll be in Split soon : )
I’ll be using your recommendations. We’re in Split now and will be here for the next 6 weeks. Plenty of time to try out all these restaurants.And you mention the Trg Sperun area – that’s exactly our spot!
Will let you know if we come across anything we can recommend.
Frank (bbqboy)
We’ve tried Dvor and Uje Oil Bar when we were in Split and we loved both of them! There are so many great places to eat out in that town, your guide will certainly be useful for a lot of travellers!
Thanks so much Fred! So glad that you loved Uje and Dvor. But, like you said, there are so many great places to eat in Split. Sometimes it’s difficult to decide where to go :).
Great guide! I need to get myself to Split it seems. So many fantastic opportunities for food.
Hmmmm I want to eat all of the things! I’ll have to take up some of these suggestions when I finally make it back to Croatia 🙂
Oh we had some great meals in Split. It’s probably my fondest memory of the town actually. Although I can’t remember every place we tried I do remember Tavern Buffet Fife – SO GOOD! This looks like a great list – and clearly well researched. I only wish we had an opportunity to try some of your recommendations!
I ADORE Villa Spiza. I have been a few times and I think I ate some of the best food of my life there 🙂 I love it how the menu is handwritten and simply pulled out of a spiral notebook!
Another massive thumbs up for buffet Fife from me. I was actually based in Trogir, 30 km from Split, so didn’t have much time to fully explore the city 🙁
One of Frank’s reviews alerted me to Fife and it was also recommended in my Lonely Planet guide to Croatia, too.
Portions were way too big, but they seem to be aware of this and happily provide containers for people to take home what they can’t manage! Great chicken ‘cordon bleu’, stuffed with ham and cheese, fries and a great side salad and carafe of house red wine – 77 kuna! The wine alone would cost that in England 😉
Sadly, not enough time to locate Zinfandel or Paradox, but should I ever be in the fine city again, ……….
Thanks for the recommendation Frank.
Frank, Split must be the only place I have actually been to out of all great places in Croatia I keep reading about on your blog. Too bad I didn’t know about all these restaurant choices when I actually did visit. But I shall definitely keep them in mind for next time, especially Tavern Buffet Five. “As local as it gets” and “very affordable” are perfectly describing the kind of place I like to frequent for my meals and the only thing left to hope is that they also serve some vegetarian options… 🙂
A great Roundup of restaurants! Pizza, pasta, say no more – I’m sold! I love that there is an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients!
How interesting that most of the places serve the same menu. Since we’re traveling with kids, we tend to go to the more relaxed and loud restaurants. I think Villa Spiza sounds very interesting, and I am intrigued by serving food on a wood board as they do at Uje Oil Bar.
Looks like a great list of restaurants for someone visiting Split! Posts like this are super helpful once you get to a city.
I know who’s blog to keep close by when we get to Croatia. We are on our way there in the next year or so. I don’t think we’ll get further than Sicily.
I just love being part of Sunday Traveler.
Maybe my blog can find some direction now. Not that I want to live and write in a box. My boat’s a bit bigger than a box mind you. So maybe I’m live in a big box that floats.
Ciao,
Patricia
Patricia, let us know if you visit Croatia. It’s a sailing paradise, and I sure hope you’ll experience it for yourself. We dream of living on a boat. Seriously! Since we still hold a full time job, the only condition would be to remain working somewhere along the coast. Not such a hard thing to commit to :). Fair winds!
Wow! with food like that, I’d never leave.
Lol, Maria! We’ve got the same problem :). Thanks for stopping by.
I’ll have to tuck this one away as I have a friend who has offered me a stay at her Split apartment. I seek out eateries that make simple regional food well whether that’s a small family run place in a back alley or a high end restaurant. That cheese plate looks divine.
This will come in very handy for us later in the year. I think I pretty much like the sound of all of those places! 🙂
What is hanging from the ceiling at Zinfandel? I ate at a place in Spain that had legs of ham hanging in a similar fashion, but not sure if that’s what they are. Given what you say about the typical menus in Split, this is a really handy list to ensure better meals.
I wish I’d had this list last summer when I was in Split, as it’s true most places seemed to serve the same thing.
What a great rundown of places to eat in Split. Really makes me want to go and visit, I like the sound of Dvor and Tavern Tri Volta especially. Thanks for more great Croatia tips!
I really need to visit Croatia and just eat my way through my visit. When you and SJ do food posts, I feel like I just drool through the whole reading. =)
We will make it to Croatia one day! That food and atmosphere look beautiful. Bron
Thanks, Bron! Croatia is really worth a visit.
I haven’t been there! Definitely now adding to my list. I’m a fan of local places, but will definitely branch out and try just about anything once. Sometimes twice. 😉 – Heather, Life of a Traveling Navy Wife
Thanks for your comment, Heather! If you like local places, you’d enjoy Split. I too like to try just about anything … once 🙂
Hi
My husband and me are going to Split in a few weeks. I am vegetarian and not having been to Croatia before, wondered what is on offer for veggies?
Hi, Do let me know in case you guys came across a good vegetarian restaurant
Frank
Next time when you arrive in Split, tray sea food restaurant /konoba Nikola(Stobrec) this is just few km out of Split,100% fresh daily see food.
Restaurant has just 6, 7 tables and food is amazing.
Price similar with Zrno Soli.
Hi Igor,
thanks for stopping by and for the heads up! Konoba Nikola in Stobrec sounds like a place I could really enjoy. Love small restaurants ising fresh produce. Will check it up for sure. Thanks again!
went to Tavern Fife this summer on recommendation locals at the tourist office.
Great atmosphere, good fresh and tasty food, huge portions (1 portion could feed 2 people) very reasonable priced and we were not rushed. I recommend it and will go again. Another recommendation seem to be Villa Spiza, but …. could not find it…. will try harder next time 🙂
Thanks for your comment! I find that Split restaurant scene improved a lot in the last years. Split is quickly becoming really exciting tourist destination.
We traveled to Split in October this year and our Airbnb hosts recommended Tavern Fife, I agree with Our Adventure in Croatia…great atmosphere and food, we were not rushed either, and enjoyed the company of the other guests at the table we were sat at. We liked it so much we ate there 3 times during our stay! I highly recommend their specialty Pasticada with the Gnocci, excellent.
Hi Joyce, thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment. Seems like tavern Fife is coming up to be a number one place to eat in Split. Have you visited any other restaurant in Split?
Hi Frank,
Nice selection of new and old there. I’d also add Konoba Marjan to the list (at Senjska,1 – just off Trg Sperun at the west end of the Riva). It’s another family run place and the fish is really superb as is their Pasticada.
That whole area around Trg Sperun has become the restaurant district of Split (Matejuska and Hvaranin that you mentioned are also there, along with at least half a dozen others), which is great for us as we live just up the road!
I’m glad you found some of the more tucked away gems like Villa Spiza, Tri Volta and Makrovega. They are worth searching for. Villa Spiza has a great feel and superb home cooked food – but get there early if you want the best choice because ‘when it’s gone, it’s gone’. Tri Volta is an institution and there’s nothing better than whiling away an afternoon looking out towards Brac from their terrace while watching lost tourists ambling by. And it’s even worth carnivores trying the veggie stuff at Makrovega – I have and I must say it was really tasty. The set menus are very good value there as well.
Hi guys, thanks for stopping by. I really like that area around Trg Sperun. And thanks for heads up on Konoba Marjan. I’ll need to try it out on my next visit to Split.