The place to Eat and Drink on Hvar Island in Croatia

Guests to Hvar, Croatia, usually arrive by water — whether or not by cruise ship, ferry, sailboat, or yacht — and all are greeted by the identical spectacular sight: a hillside stacked with stone homes topped with terracotta-tiled roofs, tumbling down towards the glowing port of Hvar City. Whereas this picturesque village boasts the island’s highest focus of eating places, bars, and nightlife, its attraction extends far past the waterfront. Inland, vineyards, olive groves, and tiny villages reveal a slower, soulful facet.

Feed on fabulous fish

One other celeb magnet, Gariful on the Hvar City waterfront sells glistening entire fish and seafood plucked every break day the island’s shores. Count on to pay a premium for the island-chic expertise, as every desk has prime views of the world’s most interesting assortment of yachts come summer season. Nonetheless, the restaurant simply meets excessive expectations, so in case your funds permits, take into account ordering the Adriatic lobster, creamy Dalmatian oysters, and scampi buzara, a Croatian specialty of shrimp in a white wine, garlic, and tomato sauce.

Take a water taxi to dinner

Simply earlier than sundown, in-the-know vacationers head to the Hvar City waterfront to rent a 10-minute water taxi to Zori Restaurant. On the seashore of Palmižana Island, this picturesque spot exudes informal superstar vibes with out pretense. Decide from the wonderful choice of seafood and Mediterranean starters earlier than mining the Croatia-rich wine checklist. In the event you’ve obtained the stamina, pop over to Laganini Hvar Restaurant & Bar, a half-century-strong establishment, to see what A-listers are tossing again within the lounge bar.

Go to a vineyard or two

Whereas most guests stay huddled alongside the waterfront with the mega-yachts, wine lovers know to hire a automobile and discover wineries. Head southeast towards Zlatan Otok, one of many nation’s best-known manufacturers for its Pošip, Crljenak, and Plavac Mali. In an exquisite setting on the base of a dramatic mountain slope that falls into the ocean, the vineyard encompasses a strong seafood restaurant. Boaters tie up within the tiny fishing village of Sveta Nedjelja to feast on platters of shellfish paired with white wines. Do not miss a go to to the underwater cellar. After lunch, keep on down the coast to go to Andro Tomić’s vineyard in Jelsa. Pattern barrel-aged Plavac Mali with postcard views.

Tuck into conventional fare

Escape Hvar City’s polished waterfront of glossy yachts and high-end eating places, and duck up a cobbled alley to seize a desk at Tavern Menego. The family-run restaurant is the type of old-world, no-frills eating set inside a centuries-old stone home that reminds you precisely why you got here to Croatia. Sit beneath wood beams whereas sipping on home wine from a jug and eat the type of hearty Dalmatian meals locals love. Order the crumbly, laborious cheese from Pag Island, adopted by smoked ham that can give prosciutto a run for its cash, ending with a platter of shrimp with gnocchi.

Strive a contemporary tackle Croatian delicacies

Wander off from the harbor and up town’s worn-stone staircases to find pleasant alleys stuffed with eating places and bars. Many factions constructed Hvar City throughout centuries, so it is simple to really feel such as you’ve stepped again in time when lingering in these passages. Black Pepper, a small restaurant run by associates, occupies a sliver of such an alley. Tables, lit by heat sconces and framed in bouganvillea, spill out onto the steps. The vibe is relaxed but considerate, with a concise menu of classics given a contemporary polish by the chef. Highlights embody grilled octopus, black truffle ravioli, lamb gnocchi, and tuna steaks. It boasts a strong Croatian wine checklist and workers who will help make options.

Lose the crowds to dine with views

Alavia Soulfood is located in Velo Grablje, a small village overlooking Hvar’s coast. The venue, set on a stone terrace shaded by olive bushes, presents sweeping views of the ocean. Eating alfresco feels low-key festive, like consuming at somebody’s summer season villa the place the host is aware of the best way to cook dinner. The menu spans black risotto with cuttlefish ink, grilled octopus with candied citrus, and a ‘gregada’ of monkfish, scampi, and mussels that tastes of the ocean. To drink, strive a craft beer, cocktail, or glass of Champagne Lanson, their accomplice model. It is a drive from city, but it surely’s value it for the views. The web site offers taxi info when you’re with no automobile – which might be finest after a number of glasses of bubbles.

Shut the evening with cocktails

The island’s restaurant and wine trade professionals head to Classic Bar Hvar once they’ve obtained an evening off in Hvar City. It’s tucked down a stone alley the place low-slung wood tables and stools fill the cobbled avenue. Regardless of the island’s reputation in summer season, the bar has a relaxed vibe, good for ending the evening with a glass of Pošip or a inventive cocktail like a ‘Bare’ Milk Punch Negroni. In the event you’re nonetheless up for nibbles, you may select from Asian avenue food-inspired bites, Mediterranean dips, and even burgers.