Croatian Food - 10 typical specialties

Croatian food will captivate you with an exciting blend of Mediterranean flavors, oriental influences, and hearty Slavic ingredients. On the coasts of Kvarner Bay, in Istria and Dalmatia, seafood dishes dominate. Across the country, however, the spicy meat rolls known as Ćevapčići are a standout among Croatian specialties. They’re served with flavorful paprika paste and onions. Inland, you can look forward to a more meat-heavy cuisine, featuring lamb and pork. Additionally, this region produces excellent sweet wines, which, along with the often homemade Slivovic and Rakija schnapps, are iconic drinks of Croatia. If you want to try cooking Croatian food yourself, it’s best to buy fresh ingredients from a local market and prepare them right in your holiday house in Croatia.

The classic: Ćevapčići with ajvar

Ćevapčići is one of the most iconic dishes in Croatian food. These spicy rolls are made from minced meat and are grilled over an open fire. In Croatia, beef or lamb is typically used for the preparation. The mix includes fiery paprika powder, savory summer savory, salt, and pepper. Garlic and sometimes allspice add an intense aroma. The Ćevapčići are served with a side like airy flatbread, vegetable rice, or fries, and always with ajvar. Ajvar is a flavorful pepper paste that is essential for enjoying Ćevapčići in Croatia. Raw onions are also a popular accompaniment.

Cevapcici with fries and the typical Ajvar pasteSnack and side dish from Dalmatia: Croatian octopus salad

If you’ve vacationed in Dalmatia, you might know this dish: on the coast, octopus dishes are very popular. Croatian food enthusiasts will enjoy octopus salad (Od Hobotnice), where tenderly cooked tentacles are mixed with bell peppers, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes. Mediterranean herbs and plenty of olive oil add flavor, with a touch of balsamic vinegar, chopped onions, and fresh parsley. This Croatian specialty is perfect as a side dish with grilled fish, especially in Adriatic coastal towns like Rab, Pag, Krk, Split, and Zadar. 

Roasted squid lignje

Lignje na žaru, crispy grilled squid, is another treat among Croatian food specialties, served in many restaurants along the Adriatic coast. The squid, about 6 to 8 centimeters long, is marinated in olive oil. Lemon juice, rosemary, and coarsely ground pepper add a Mediterranean note. You can sprinkle parsley over the squid on a large platter. In traditional konobas, people enjoy Lignje on platters for sharing. Pair this dish with a sweet Croatian white wine for a complete experience. Fresh seafood like this can also be bought at the local markets and prepared in the kitchen of your holiday rental.

Lignje 

 

Throughout Croatia, fish paprika stew (Riblji paprikaš) is one of the most beloved Croatian food dishes. This hearty fish soup is traditionally prepared in a kettle and simmered over an open fire for more than two hours. Freshwater fish like pike, carp, or catfish are commonly used, while in coastal areas, brackish-water fish such as perch are also included. As the name suggests, paprika is a key ingredient, giving this dish a bold, slightly spicy flavor. Noodles or potatoes are often served as a side.

Croatian ratatouille Đuveč

Đuveč, a traditional vegetable stew, is popular throughout the Balkans and is available in various forms. Croatian food lovers will enjoy this dish, typically made with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, peas, beans, and eggplants. It’s often stewed with okra and cooked in a clay pot over hours, with broth added for extra flavor. Croatian paprika gives the stew a fiery touch. Đuveč is also served as a rice dish, often paired with tender lamb, pork, or beef.

Typical Balkan: Vegetable rice pan

Hearty bean stew grah

In Croatia and Serbia, Grah, a hearty bean stew, is a traditional Croatian food item with cultural significance. Along with beans, the stew includes bell peppers, root vegetables, garlic, and smoked meat. Bacon and sausage are also common ingredients. This specialty is slow-cooked, often in a clay pot, until the soup becomes thick and soft. It’s served with grilled green peppers and potatoes for a complete, hearty meal.

The Croatian burger: Pljeskavica 

Pljeskavica, a Croatian version of the burger, is another Croatian food favorite. The meat is flattened into a thin patty and seasoned with onions, bell pepper, allspice, salt, and pepper. Like Ćevapčići, it’s grilled over an open flame. Once cooked, it’s served in flatbread with ajvar and onions. Pljeskavica makes for an ideal takeaway snack. Kajmak, a creamy layered cheese, and sheep’s cheese are also popular sides. Variations are plentiful, with both beef and pork being used. Some versions are even stuffed with cheese.

A popular street food in Croatia: Pljeskavica from the grill

Istrian Specialty: Truffle with Pasta

Sarma – Turkish-inspired cabbage rolls

Sarma, cabbage rolls with Turkish roots, has influenced Croatian food and the wider Balkan region. In Croatia, Sarma is served as small bites, often using grape leaves filled with rice. Alternatively, cabbage leaves filled with minced meat are a great option for culinary adventurers in Croatia. These cabbage rolls are baked and served with a variety of sauces, such as a tomato ragout. 

Sarma as white cabbage rolls

Savory pastry – Burek

Burek is a savory pastry widely known throughout the Balkans. Made from flaky dough and typically filled with minced meat, spinach, or cheese, this Croatian food specialty can be rolled or layered and baked. Burek makes an excellent snack but can also be ordered as a main course in a restaurant. Traditionally, it’s served in a konoba, a type of Croatian tavern. Its origin traces back to Turkey, where it evolved from the classic börek.

Are you eager to try authentic Croatian food during your vacation? Here you’ll find beautiful holiday homes and apartments in Croatia for your next trip.