Top 10 must-try dishes in Croatia

Head for the Adriatic coast! Croatia is an Eastern European country renowned for its local gastronomy, a rich and varied cuisine consisting mainly of seafood, cold meats and cheeses. And here’s an interesting fact: the much-loved olive oil that accompanies so many of our dishes, such as salads, is produced in a large part of Croatia. Today, Croatian olive oil is the talk of the town. At the 2016 New York International Olive Oil Competition, for example, a total of nine Croatian extra virgin olive oils won gold and silver medals.

What are the 10 best Croatian culinary specialities?

1. Sarmas

We’re off to a great start with a Croatian staple that’s everywhere on the dining table: sarmas. These stuffed sauerkraut cabbage leaves are so popular with the Croatian people that it’s impossible not to love them. In general, we love eating them. And why is that? Because the cabbage used in the recipe is of much better quality at this time of year. And that’s all there is to it! The leaf rolls contain minced meat and rice, cooked in stock. It’s a tasting experience you have to try!

2. Peka

You’ll love tasting Peka prepared over an open fire in the heart of nature. Travelling and discovering new flavours inevitably means putting your senses to the test! Using a clay bell, Croatians like to cook peka with veal and octopus meat and fresh potatoes, picked the day before. Cooked for several hours, the result is a pure delight!

3. Pag cheese

We all love that little white square that looks like a piece of cloud descending from the sky to our taste buds. Prag cheese is THE most popular cheese in Croatia. Its unique flavour makes it one of the best cheeses in the country. Its unusual origin, sheep’s milk, gives it a rather salty taste that many people love. It is usually left to rest for a year before being eaten!

4. Fuži d’Istrie or traditional pasta

It’s hard to pronounce the name of this dish correctly, but it’s so delicious that it’s easy to eat! Fuži are traditional pasta dishes from Istria, and very popular in Croatia. They owe their name to their slightly amusing shape – little flutes or spindles. In the mouth, they will delight your taste buds, accompanied by a succulent truffle sauce, a few pieces of meat and a glass of red wine.

5. Squid ink risotto or Crni rižot

Admittedly, the dish doesn’t necessarily look appetising. But how do you know you don’t like it until you’ve tried it? Croatia’s ‘black risotto’ will introduce you to the flavours of the coast, as the Adriatic Sea is rich in dried fish. Served with rice, the ink from the dried fish gives the dish a black colour that’s atypical of the dishes we’re used to eating, which is what makes this meal so original – and delicious, by all accounts!

6. Grilled squid or Lignje na žaru

You can’t leave Croatia without trying grilled squid – it’s unimaginable! Most Croatians use their small boats to catch this soft-bodied marine animal with tentacles. Like Peka, they are cooked over a wood fire, which makes them even better than in a traditional oven. Served with a little rice and a few chips, the diet can wait until the holidays are over.

7. Octopus salad or Salata od hobotnice

If you love all things derived from the sea, you’re bound to fall in love with Croatian cuisine! This small salad, served with pieces of octopus freshly caught in the Adriatic Sea, makes a light and refreshing meal. Add a few slices of tomato, fine parsley herbs and onions, then drizzle over an olive oil vinaigrette (yes, Croatia’s famous olive oil). A glass of local white wine is the perfect accompaniment. Enjoy!

8. Le Brudet

Among our readers who claim to be pesco-vegetarians, you’ll be delighted to discover the Brudet. Popular on the Dalmatian coast, brudet is a fish soup that can also be made with eel or mussels. Its pretty red colour is due to crushed tomatoes, a little garlic and onion, and a few drops of olive oil. And here’s a little tip: to prevent the fish flesh from separating during cooking, it’s best not to stir the soup. A real treat!

9. Štrukli sa sirom or Strukli with cheese

Inherited from Zagorje, north of Zagreb and known as one of the regions with the coldest winters in all of Croatia, this comforting dish is enjoyed by the fireplace. štrukli sa sirom” are shaped like little cushions and are a delight to savour after a hard winter’s day. Stuffed with fresh cheese and baked in the oven, the dish is very traditional, and has even been listed as a “protected culinary cultural asset in Croatia”.

10. Plum knedle or knedle sa šljivama

We know what you’re thinking inside. It’s all a bit too sweet, isn’t it? Plum knedle to the rescue! Made from ripe plums hidden in a ball-shaped dough rolled in sweet toasted breadcrumbs, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a hidden treasure. The only downside is that you’ll have to wait until the plum season, from August to October, to enjoy this delicious dessert.

Your succulent dishes will be even better when accompanied by superior wines, of which there is no shortage in Croatia, since there are many international grape varieties grown in Croatian wine regions. On your marks, get set… Enjoy!