26 Food of Croatia: Popular Cuisine of Croatia

Croatia is not only a superb country to visit because of its stunning landscape but also because of its delectable and heterogeneous gastronomy. Croatia, owing to its location, has a unique cuisine that is the result of the diverse culinary practices of its regions as well as Mediterranean, Turkish, Roman, and Greek influences. One of the most well-known ones is Dalmatian cuisine, located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. If you are someone who loves to try out different kinds of food when traveling to new places, Croatia has plenty to offer!

The following are 25 food items and drinks that you can have while in Croatia:

1. Gregada

A dish from the Hvar island that finds its origins in the Illyrian cuisine, Gregada is a simple fish stew that is prepared using either scorpion fish or grouper. It is made by layering thinly sliced onions and potatoes, drizzling some olive oil on top and putting the fish on top of that. All of this is then cooked in some water and white wine, which often contains parsley, garlic, capers, celery etc. 

2. Kulen Sausage

Kulen is a kind of flavoured sausage and a popular food item that you simply must try out when in Croatia. It is made by hand from pork that takes nine months to cure; it is low-fat, dense, dry and spicy as it also includes garlic, salt and red paprika. There is also an annual kulen festival organised in Bački Petrovac.

3. Pag Lamb

An absolute treat, pag lamb is a delicacy in Croatia and comes from the Pag island which is known for its large number of sheep. The meat, which is lean and pink, has a unique flavour that comes from the lamb rearing on milk that is a result of the sheep grazing on herbs and other vegetation here. It is best had spit-roasted during late spring and early summers so that it has a slightly smokey flavour; it is usually marinated using rosemary, thyme, other natural herbs etc. 

4. Oysters

Croatia is one of the best places in the world to try out oysters; Limski Kanal in Istria and Mali Ston Bay in Dalmatia and two regions best known for this delicacy owing to the Adriatic’s clean and salty water which is ideal for oyster farming. You will mostly find European oysters or Ostrea Edulis here. It takes a little time to get used to eating oysters but don’t forget to move it around to make sure that it’s still not attached to the shell and sprinkle some lemon juice and tabasco on it. There are many local roadside vendors who sell delicious oysters.

5. Rakija

Rakija or Rakia is a term used to refer to all kinds of fruit spirits, mostly brandy, found in the Balkans, including Croatia. It has an alcohol content of about 40% to 50% ABV and is typically made from fermented and distilled fruits like grapes, plums, cherries, raspberries, pears, apricots, apples etc. The usual way of drinking rakija is in special small glasses which can hold about 30ml to 50ml. 

6. Pljeskavica

If you love hamburgers, you simply must try the pljeskavica which is its Balkan counterpart. It comprises a spicy minced meat patty which is made from beef, lamb, and sometimes pork and is topped off with chopped raw onions and a large dollop of ajvar pepper relish. You can have it as a burger with lepinja flatbread or as on its own with a side of kajmak or milk cream and urnebes or spicy cheese salad. 

7. Sardines

You can’t visit Croatia, especially in the summertime, without trying out their delicious grilled sardines! Easily available and cheap, sardines are a must-try food here; cooking them is very simple since all that is needed is a grill, salt, and olive oil. They have a fair amount of white meat and turn out very yummy. Moreover, you might even come across sardine stew. 

8. Burek

Not exactly a Croatian specialty, Burek is a kind of pastry or pie that is found across the Balkans, Middle East, and Central Asia and is usually savory. It has become very popular in Croatia and is prepared with thin and flaky dough such as filo that is stuffed with cheese, potatoes, meat, or spinach and then sprinkled with nigella or sesame seeds. While it is mostly baked, sometimes it can also be fried. You can have it hot or cold. 

9. Ćevapčići

Ćevapčići or ćevapi is the national dish or Serbia but is also commonly served in Croatia; it is a grilled dish consisting of five to ten minced meat sausages which are generally a mix of beef, pork, and lamb. It is served both as street food or in restaurants and usually comes with a flatbread called lapinja along with ajvar pepper relish, kajmak, chopped onions, salt, and sour cream. 

10. Malvazija

If you like wine, you must try out Malvazija wine which is made using Istarska malvazija, a kind of native Croatian white grape grown mostly in Istria. This wine has a fruity flavour with mineral notes and aromas of acacia, apricots, and green apple. You might even find varieties that have matured for long periods of time in amphorae, oak, or acacia barrels. 

11. Zagorski Strukli

Also known as štruklji, Zagorski štrukli is a popular Croatian dish served mostly in Zagreb and Zagorje in the north of the country. It is similar to strudel and is made by rolling dough till it is flat and lathering it with sour cream, cottage cheese, and eggs.

12. Rožata

Rožata is basically Croatian crème caramel that originated in Dalmatia in the 12th century. It is a delicious custard pudding that is made using milk, sugar, eggs, water, orange peel, rose petal liqueur, and sometimes vanilla extract. What makes it special is its sweet caramel topping that pairs excellently with the slightly bitter taste of the orange peel. 

13. Pašticada

Pašticada or Dalmatinska pašticada is a famous Dalmatian dish that finds its origins in the south of France and is usually served at gatherings or festivities. It is essentially a braised beef stew that is made using a whole round of eye that is pierced and stuffed with bacon, carrots, garlic, and cloves and then marinated overnight in wine vinegar. 

14. Fritule

A treat prepared mainly for Christmas, Fritule is a Croatian pastry that resembles doughnut balls. They are filled with raisins, rum and sometimes lemon zest or orange peel and then dusted with powdered sugar. You can also get Fritule round the year. 

15. Slavonska Sljivovica

Slavonska šljivovica is a type of Slavonian plum brandy that is predominantly had in eastern Croatia. It is made using local, fresh and plums called Bistrica, which have been grown in the region for years and have an alcohol content of about 37.5% to 42.5% ABV.  You would mostly see Slavonska šljivovica being served on special occasions. 

16. Crni Rižot

Your trip to Croatia would be incomplete without trying out crni rižot or black risotto, especially if you are a fan of seafood. It is very popular in the Dalmatian Islands and is made al-dente using cuttlefish, rice, garlic, onions, fish broth, olive oil, and other ingredients. What gives the dish its black color is squid ink. Keep in mind that it can stain your teeth black!

17. Kvarner Scampi

The shrimp found around Kvarner are some of the biggest and tastiest you might find in the Adriatic Sea. If you’re going to Croatia, make sure to try out some scampi, especially from Kvarner or Istria. There are different ways of preparing it; it can be grilled, marinated, made in sauce, breaded, wrapped in Istrian ham, spit-roasted, or even raw. 

18. Pag Cheese

A hard cheese made from sheep milk, Pag cheese comes from Pag Island in northern Dalmatia and is a must-try! It has a unique flavor which is the result of the milk produced by the sheep; it has a distinct flavor owing to the vegetation that the sheep feed on. This cheese, which has a parmesan-like texture, is matured for about 18 months and is mostly sold in the form of wheels across the country. 

19. Karlovačko

If you like beer, get yourself a can or a bottle of Karlovačko which is one of Croatia’s most famous beers brewed majorly in the city of Karlovac using Croatian barley. It has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume and also has a bitter taste and a malt aroma. 

20. Pršut

Pršut or Dalmatinski pršut is a kind of Croatian ham that is made in Konavle in Dalmatia, specifically in Duba, which is a traditional pršut producing village.You can have it thinly sliced with bread, cheese, or even fruits like melon. 

21. Brodetto

Brodetto or Brudet is a kind of light fish stew mainly prepared on the eastern Adriatic coast. It is quite popular in Dalmatia, Istria, and even in Italy. 

22. Fuži 

A mouth-watering traditional homemade pasta from Croatia, Fuži is quill-shaped and is made by cutting the dough into small squares and wrapping them around the handle of a wooden spoon.

23. Buzara

Buzara is a common way of preparing seafood in Croatia, especially in Istria and Dalmatia; it is made in olive oil, fresh herbs, wine, breadcrumbs, and garlic, salt, and garlic, all of which gives the dish an aroma somewhat similar to that of the sea. 

24. Boškarin 

In Croatia, Boškarin or Istarski boškarin is basically an autochthonous Istrian cattle breed that is used for its meat, which has a unique taste. You can have it in a variety of forms, including salami, steak, or carpaccio, in stews or in gnocchi or pasta like fuži and pljukanci.

25. Ožujsko 

Ožujsko or Žuja, named after the month of March, is a type of Croatian lager beer that is made from natural ingredients, including barley, water, yeast, and hops. It has a golden colour and a fruity finish owing to its sweet corn and malt nose. Ožujsko has an alcohol content of about 5%.

26. Lavender Ice-cream

Fragrant purple lavender grows along the coast of Croatia, especially in Hvar, and therefore, it is no surprise that it has found its way into food items, too! Desserts containing lavender are quite popular here, especially ice cream; lavender ice cream has a subtle floral flavor which is quite refreshing and is sure to leave you wanting more. 

Boasting diverse gastronomical practices resulting in a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes, Croatia is nothing short of a treat for foodies. Its cuisine is an amalgamation of its regions’ culinary traditions and of Mediterranean, Italian, and Turkish cuisines too, which means that you get to try out all kinds of food. So if you are planning a trip to Croatia, make sure to make a list of all the yummy food and beverages to try out so that you don’t miss out on its unique gastronomy.