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At the heart of every great travel experience is usually a great meal, excellent wine and good people. Many may be surprised to know that the gastronomy scene in Croatia is absolutely “world-class”, but don’t just take our word for it, when Anthony Bourdain first visited Croatia in 2012, he said:
“I’ve had no idea what Croatian cuisine was. Zero! I’ve had no picture in my mind. This is world- class food, world-class wine, world-class cheese. The next big thing is Croatia! If you haven’t been here yet, you are an idiot! I’m an idiot!”
Now you know that the gastronomy scene in Croatia received a massive thumbs up from one of the world’s most celebrated foodies, why exactly does it go hand-in-hand with sailing? Just think about it, a sailing yacht gives you access to islands, remote locations, secluded bays and lets you visit the markets daily – a treasure trove of gourmet experiences just waiting to be discovered.
Doing it for yourself
First of all, let’s talk about the gourmet experiences that money can’t buy – visiting the local fruit and veg, and fish markets. In our busy modern lives, taking the time to wander a fresh fruit and vegetable market is not normally on the agenda; instead, we can buy what we want, when we want from large supermarkets – never having to think about what is in season. We guarantee that shopping at the local markets will become one of your highlights; the vivid colors, intoxicating smells and seeing an authentic part of Croatian life will stay with you. Fruit and veg are bursting with flavor; you will remember what a tomato and peach is supposed to taste like! After years of working in the sailing industry, our guests always comment on the quality of produce here and the joy of shopping for it!
Don’t pass up the chance to visit the local fish markets either. While it may seem intimidating to some, there is nothing better than buying fresh fish and putting it straight on the grill! It needs nothing more than a little seasoning, local olive oil (and garlic if you want to do it the Dalmatian way), and should always be washed down with a glass of wine. In Dalmatia, we have a saying – “A fish should swim three times in its life: once in the sea, once in olive oil and lastly with vino!” For a little extra confidence in the fish market, here are some common fish you might come across and their Croatian names with English translation.
- Brancin/Lubin – Seabass or Sea-Perch
- Kovač/Šampjer – John Dory
- Škarpina – Scorpion fish
- Gardobina - Monkfish
- Gof – Amberjack
- Inćun – Anchovy
- Iglun – Swordfish
- Komarča – Gilthead seabream
- Orada – Seabream
- Srdela – Sardines
- Trilja – Mullet
- Zubatac – Dentex
Dining Out
There is a fabulous array of restaurants along the coast; from traditional family-run konobas (taverns) to Michelin-star restaurants; with menus offering simple grilled seafood, right through to creative and innovative gastronomic delights. You can dine in old stone houses, atop hills and clifftops, inside century old palaces, inside art galleries and ancient wine cellars, or a table on a beach… the food is not the only thing that will wow you, what Bourdain failed to mention is that the setting and ambience of the restaurants will leave you breathless.
Another reason that sailing in Croatia and gastronomy go hand-in-hand is that many of the best restaurants can only be reached by boat. How about mooring in a secluded bay, and hopping across to your own private restaurant?
Traditional Dishes to Try While Sailing in Croatia
Dalmatian Prosciutto (Pršut)
One of Dalmatia’s trademarks, is certainly dry-cured pork. It takes at least a year for north- eastern wind Bura to cure the meat, which is then cut into thin slices. Prosciutto is a delicacy that requires a significant amount of time to create and disappears in seconds. Slicing the prosciutto in the correct manner requires more than a sharp knife. It's a skill that demands a steady hand and a lot of exercise. The slices should be merely one millimeter thick.
Black Risotto
This world-renowned dish was named after the squid ink that paints it black. Every bite is the best of both worlds, freshly caught cuttlefish and aromatic olive oil from the rocky shores. Cuttlefish is one of the primary ingredients here, and the ink it produces is not only essential for this dish's color, but it is thought to be a natural antidepressant.
Octopus “under peka”
Seafood lovers will be happy to discover a dish like this. And what a delicacy it is! Octopus and potatoes are the primary ingredients, but peka is the key. A drop of olive oil and herbs are put on top of it in a cast-iron or earthenware pot in which they cook gently, covered with a lid of warm coals. Peka is prepared in a fireplace and requires a few hours. It's a true culinary art, but it's worth waiting for.
Luckily, with various fundamental ingredients, you can try other dishes under peka. If you have had enough of seafood, another dish is lamb under peka. Delicious!
Pag island Cheese
It defeated all world competition with its unrivaled quality. Pag sheep are on a diet consisting of Dalmatian aromatic herbs that Bura sprinkled with sea salt. The cheese is made from their milk exclusively.
The milk these sheep offer is therefore naturally salty and does not require any extra salt. In the past few years, cheese produced on this island, especially in Kolan cheese dairy, has earned the highest prizes at prestigious Mediterranean fairs. It is in such demand that it is sold after only a few months of maturity. It is permitted to mature for a year or more on rare occasions and is, without doubt, one of the best sheep cheeses in the world.
Pašticada
Despite being renowned for fish dishes, the Dalmatians are also meat preparation specialists.
Everything starts with marinated beef stuffed with carrots and bacon, sprayed with wine and then boiled for at least a quarter of a day. Sometimes it takes three days to prepare this Dalmatian specialty, so it is reserved for unique occasions.
In general, Pašticada is served with gnocchi. Preparing it is a real culinary marathon, and its exceptional taste reflects the effort behind it.
Grilled Fish
This one might not sound as “unique” as the others, but the way it is prepared in Dalmatia is like nothing you’ve ever had! Freshly caught fish is an inevitable component of the menu in all the taverns on the Dalmatian coast.
Less is more, so only the fundamental spices and omnipresent homemade olive oil are combined with it.
Soparnik
Two layers of thin dough and a filling of Swiss chard, parsley, and garlic, ingredients accessible for everyone. This is the first Croatian dish to earn cultural heritage status.
Soparnik is a delicious dish baked in an open fireplace called a “komin". It is put directly on the heat in a baking tray and sprinkled from above with ashes. Before being served the soparnik is coated with olive oil to which garlic has been added for extra aroma and sweetness.
Oysters and Mussels
Seafood is well-represented in Mediterranean cuisine, rarely so widely acknowledged as Maloston oysters and mussels. Served instantly after being removed from the ocean and enriched with lemon juice alone, both locals and tourists are enjoying this delicious delicacy
Dirty Macaroni (Šporki Makaruli)
This uncommon name relates to beef sauce that is poured over the macaroni, which are almost always - home-made!
The dish dates back to the days of aristocracy in Dubrovnik when the wealthy mixed the remaining meat sauce with macaroni for their servants on festive days and at festivities after eating all the best meat. It is always common to create simple and, most importantly, a tasty dish.
Brudet
A sea stew produced with fish and all kinds of seafood, also enriched with quality wine. Although its preparation is simple in ingredients, its preparation can vary and it is a well held secret among families.
The magic of a good brudet is that it makes the kinds of fish usually considered as nothing unique reveal their hidden, unexpected characteristics.
Wine to Try While Sailing in Croatia
Every great dish should be accompanied by an even better glass of wine; and, as Bourdain said – Croatia has world-class wine! Unbeknownst to many, Croatia has more than 130 indigenous grape varieties which are mostly made in small batches and not exported; this is why the quality of wine is unknown and untapped. Many of the top vineyards are located on the islands and along the coast; so, visiting at least one vineyard on your sailing in Croatia itinerary is highly recommended. A few wines to look out for are:
Reds:
Babić wine from the Primošten region, a full-bodied, ruby-red rich wine. Zinfandel or Crljenak Kaštelanski (also known as Tribidrag, Kratošija and Pribidrag) – the native origin of Zinfandel which grows in the surrounding Split region. Plavac Mali is the King of Dalmatian reds and is medium – full-bodied depending on the vineyard and vintage, often aged in oak barrels. It grows well on islands Hvar and Brač, the Pelješac Peninsula and the Konavle region. Dingač and Postup are recognised appellations of this grape, grown on the Pelješac Peninsula.
Whites:
Pošip is one of the most famous Dalmatia whites and grows particularly well on island Hvar and Korčula. It can range from citrus fruit notes to stone fruits and almonds; a grape capable of complexity and often oak-aged.
Malvazija (Malvasia) if Plavac Mali is the King of Dalmatian Reds, then Malvazija is the Queen of Istrian whites. A well-rounded white with fruity and floral characters, and can be dry, sparkling or sweet depending on the maker, region and vintage.
Grk is a grape which only grows in Lumbarda on the island Korčula; few bottles are produced each year – making them like liquid gold. Try get to Lumbarda for a tasting!
Read more about Croatian wines here!
Gourmet Sailing in Croatia
Gastronomy in Croatia is about the balance between the finer things in life and the simple pleasures; from award-winning wines and fine dining restaurants to shopping in the local markets, or dining barefoot on your yacht while watching the sunset over the Adriatic… We are so passionate about the gastronomy scene in Croatia and could speak for hours about the possibilities, which is exactly why we offer a gourmet sailing itinerary. If gastronomy is something you are passionate about, consider sailing with us; let us take you on a food and wine journey and show you the real Croatia.
