As the longest island in Croatia, Hvar is part of the central Dalmation archipelago, known for its delicious delicacies from the Adriatic Sea, magnificent sandy beaches, and ancient marble streets. But, in between exploring all that the island has to offer, try one of Hvar’s best restaurants, including everything from seafood joints and fine dining to casual hangouts and family-owned boltholes.
Most of Hvar’s restaurants can be found down the alleys running north of the town’s main square. These alleys are collectively known as Groda and are brimming with excellent restaurants and places to eat in Hvar. Meanwhile, the surrounding landscape provides plenty of fresh ingredients, with plenty of restaurants in Hvar taking full advantage of them. Below, we’ve picked some of the best restaurants in Hvar that you should visit on your next trip.
Check out our guide to the best bars in Split, too!
The best Hvar Restaurants 2022
Giaxa
If you’re looking for traditional Dalmation dishes with a modern, fine-dining twist, there are few better restaurants in Hvar to visit than Giaxa. From the highly-regarded team at Luna, another must-try Hvar restaurant just down the street, creativity is the name of the game here, so make sure you arrive with a sufficient enough appetite to make your way through a full three-courser.
On the menu, you’ll find signature dishes like grilled tuna served with avocado puree and crunchy shallot; while the Dalmation Brodeto (fish stew) provides the perfect mix of fish, scampi, octopus, and mussels in a tomato and white wine sauce. Starters include delights like Croshi, or Croatian sushi; a 2-person seafood platter of tuna, octopus, monkfish and prawns; as well as beef carpaccio with black truffles. If you’ve still got room for dessert, the list runs from decadent chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream, perfectly-spiced apple strudel, chocolate sphere, almond semifreddo and fruit and nut cake from Split. Meanwhile, the finest Hvar wine is served by the glass as well as the bottle, so you get the chance to sample some of the island’s best tipples with your meal.
And the setting is just a impressive as the food. Housed in a 15th-century gothic palace, formerly owned by the Jakša family, you’ll feel like you’re dining like a true royal. A trio of stone columns line the middle of the dining room which is overlooked by brightly coloured wooden animal sculptures courtesy of a local artist.
Dalmatino
A warm and welcoming family-owned fish and steak, Dalmatino is housed in an old house that has been lovingly restored to show off its original exposed stonework. One of the best restaurants in Hvar for traditional food with a reasonable price tag, Dalmatino is difficult to beat. with an idyllic location – close enough to the main square to feel some atmosphere but far enough to enjoy some peace and quiet, you’re sure to have a lovely meal with excellent service.
When it comes to the food, this Hvar restaurant is praised for its delicious traditional dishes that allow you to get a true taste of the island. If this is your first time to Croatia, make sure you try their local gregada fish stew or their Dalmatian pasticada (stewed beef in red wine sauce with homemade gnocchi). If you’re not one for trying new things, don’t worry, there are plenty of more familiar dishes such as grilled scampi, grilled sea bass, and all the steak options you could ever want. Order your rump or fillet steak with everything from a jacket potato with cottage cheese and mushrooms to black truffles and even scampi. For dessert, the menu features everything from “Granny’s homemade cake” to cheesecake with blueberries. Whatever you choose, while you peruse the menu, you’ll receive complimentary tasters and brandy – what more could you want?
Antika
The focus of the growing alternative scene in Stari Grad, Antika effortlessly combines the traditional with the modern. With a funky, slightly mismatched décor, dining room furniture is scattered around, candlesticks drip with years of coloured wax, and framed photos and faded paintings hang on the walls of this house dating back to 1566.
When it comes to food, you’ll find a range of traditional, hearty and satisfying dishes. For starter, choose from the likes of shrimp bisque, burrata, bruschetta, and balsamic steak salad. Moving onto the main course, there’s plenty of option, from pasta and risotto to seafood, fish and meat. We’d recommend trying the black risotto with cuttlefish and oven dried tomatoes or the “Kotlenka”, a traditional island recipe with tomatoes, wine, herbs and grilled focaccia. If you’ve still got room to spare, desserts include Torta della Nonna (cheesecake with poached dry figs and whipped cream) and panna cotta with caramelised aubergine.
Passarola
Tucked away in a pretty courtyard just off the main square, right beside the cathedral in the old part of the city, this Hvar restaurant offers the perfect blend of Dalmatian and Italian cuisine. The atmosphere here is intimate, relaxing and luxurious all at the same time and, if you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the live classical or jazz performances. The open-air feel of this Hvar restaurant really makes you appreciate being on holiday in such a stunning place.
Only using the best local, organic ingredients, you’ll only taste the finest at this sophisticated restaurant in Hvar. The menu seamlessly mixes international flavours with both traditional and new Croatian dishes, including he likes of homemade lobster pasta, seafood risottos, ravioli stuffed with fresh cheese sautéed octopus, Adriatic tuna and much more (the menu is surprisingly large). For dessert, choose from treats like chocolate souffle, dark chocolate ganache cream with blueberries and biscuit, and a selection of cheeses with fresh, seasonal fruit. Aside from the food, the wine list is also impressive and includes local gems as well as a wide international selection.
Fig Cafe Bar
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Hvar to grab a quick, laid-back bite to eat, Fig Café Bar is your go-to. Owned by Rob Jenko and Geoff Bratten, born in Australia and the US respectively, this Hvar restaurant offers a seasonal menu using ingredients from across the island. Renowned for its distinctly international twist on traditional Croatian flavours, Fig Cafe Bar is the perfect place to celebrate the regions culinary delights. This Hvar restaurant is known for bringing a creative spin to the island’s dining scene, with unique food and drink concoctions developed by the skilled team of chefs and bartenders.
Browse the menu here and find delicious dishes like candied bacon and blue cheese salad, Mexican pulled pork, fig & farm cheese flatbread, and green chilli chicken burrito. This Hvar restaurant even does breakfast, making it the perfect spot to fuel up for the day. Find breakfast dishes like spicy eggs (poached eggs in a mildly spicy tomato sauce); vegetarian breakfast burrito filled with eggs, potatoes, onion and peppers; California toast with poached eggs, roasted tomatoes and guacamole; and granola bowl served with local yoghurt, seasonal fruit, honey and cinnamon.
Techno-Mads 
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