Croatia & Slovenia

Best and worst restaurants:

Worst: Sperun in Split
Why: We were greeted by the affable owner as promised. We were a party of 10. No less than six of the entrees ordered were unavailable. In the ensuing confusion we only received 9 entrees for 10 people. The lamb was inedible, and even the fish was over cooked with heavy overpowering sauces. All 10 of us were very disappointed

Barry Teasley in Goldsboro, NC USA 10/09/2008

Best: The Millennium sladoled (ice cream) store in Zagreb, Croatia
Why: It was a sweet feast for your eyes and taste buds and worth looking up!

Amy Kileen in Bakersfield, CA USA 08/20/2008

Best: Konoba Kamenice or Lokanda Peskarija in Dubrovnik
Why: Really good seafood at very reasonable prices

Worst: Spaghetteria Toni and Pizzeria Mea Culpa in Dubrovnik
Why: Not bad - just average. The pasta at Toni was hit or miss. Pizzeria Olivo was much better than Mea Culpa.

Evan in Seattle , WA USA 07/10/2008

Best: Ostarija Peglez'n
Why: The food was fantastic! A quaint restaurant with delicious pasta and seafood.

Lisa Valle in Sycamore, IL USA 07/03/2008

Best: Cold Drinks in Dubrovnik
Why: The little watering hole perched on the cliffside was outstanding. As soon as you walked through the door through the city wall, you have paradise.

Paul in Seattle, WA USA 06/24/2008

Best: 1a. Kanoba Menego, Hvar, 1b. Krcma Ulika, Rovinj
Why: 1a. The restaurant in Hvar seemed very authentic and friendly The food was great. 1b. Beautifully prepared and presented food, and excellent service.

Worst: Any of the touristy restaurants
Why: They all seem to serve the same food, with slow service. At the Ragusa 2 in Dubrovnik my fish was way overdone, and the side dishes cold as ice. The service was abominable. They took away the bread and asked if we were through before we had our main course. We had to ask for our check 3 times over a 30 minute period after eating.

Russell Dohrmann in Boulder, CO USA 06/20/2008

Best: konoba catovica mlini and kapetanova kuca
Why: Both are in beautiful settings with excellent service and very good food.

Jeanne Barsanti in Watkinsville, GA USA 06/09/2008

Best: Konoba Catovica Mlini, Bay of Kotor
Why: The setting of this restaurant was incredible. The food and service were excellent. In our one day trip to the Baby of Kotor, we went there twice, first time on the way to Kotor for lunch, and for desert on the way back. The food was delicious and service excellent. Definitely worth a detour.

Worst: Krema Ulika, Rovinj
Why: Going to this restaurant was one of the worst experiences we had on our numerous trips to Europe. A good review in Rick's book lead us to this place, we made a special effort to go there. The owner Inja Tucman was extremely condescending border line insulting in her remarks. She made this very unpleasant smirk when we told her that her restaurant came very recommended in Rick Steves book (i was shocked as usually it is the very opposite reaction we get). When we were ordering, she made a very nasty remark about her restaurant being 'high end dining' and not pizza. The food was below average (the trout was the worst i tried in Croatia) and extremely expensive, we ended up spending over $80 and came home hungry. Trout alone was about 130 Kuna - RIDICULOUS! Please take her out of this book, she doesn't deserve to be there.

Anna in Seattle, WA USA 06/02/2008

Best: Restaurant at Penzion Mayer in Bled, Pizzeria Rustica
Why: Ate at Penzion Mayer 2 nights. Food was very good, as was the service. Pizzeria Rustica had great pizzas and salads. Small, rustic, laid back restaurant in old town beneath castle. Good prices.

Conny Mincks in Williamsburg, Va USA 05/28/2008

Best: Gradska Kavana Cafe - Split
Why: It is right on People's Square and the people watching was unbeatable for a Sunday morning. The cheese strudel was yummy.

Julia in San Francisco, CA USA 04/28/2008

Best: Gradska Kavana Cafe - Split
Why: It is right on People's Square and the people watching was unbeatable for a Sunday morning. The cheese strudel was yummy.

Julia in San Francisco, CA USA 04/28/2008

Best: Konoba Catovica Mlini in Morinj Montenegro
Why: The natural beauty of the grounds of this restaurant make it memorable. We had more than a meal here....it was a one-of-a-kind experience!

Beverly Clauser in Ramona, CA USA 01/31/2008

Worst: Fast Food Gavun, Dubrovnik
Why: The guidebook recommended the appetizer platter; however, the sandwich bar now has surly staff who mutter "only sandwich" (which is confirmed by the menu) and seem to regard customers as an irritating inconvenience.

Chris Miller in Chevy Chase, Md USA 11/17/2007

Best: Catovica Milni in Morinj, Montenegro
Why: It was everything you said. Very picturesque and food was delicious (wine, too!)! A wonderful place for a two hour meal.

Shannon Hamilton in North Little Rock, AR USA 11/05/2007

Best: Tople restaurant, Tribunj
Why: One wall covered with award winning certificates. Croatians make a special trip just to eat here. Dine here for something special.

John Benedict in South Lake Tahoe , CA USA 10/02/2007

Best: Mea Culpa, Dubrovnik
Why: Great pizza(able to split one between two people) and good salad for very reasonable price.

Veda Faler in Bainbridge Island, WA USA 09/16/2007

Best: Harambasa
Why: For those not headed to Bosnia, this is a great introduction to Balkan grilled meats. Cheap, tasty and even a bit moving -- look for the bits of Sarajevan history on the walls.

Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 09/04/2007

Worst: Krema Ulika Restaurant in Rovinj Croatia
Why: This restaurant is "notable" only for its disappointment value. As a "classy hole in the wall" it has a lot of potential. Other than the aloof, presumptious attitue of the owner Inja Tucman, the greatest disappointment was the quality of food served. We ordered their sea bass. It was terrible! The fish itself was cut thinner than the breading in which it was prepared. Then it was overcooked. When I mentioned this to the owner, she acted as if I didn't quite understand "gormet" Mediterranean food. Given our experience, the 12kn cover charge simply added insult to injury.

Mike Michaelis in San Jose, CA USA 08/27/2007

Best: Nishta in Dubrovnik. You must must must go here!!
Why: This one is not in the book, but you have to check it out. It is owned by the same people who run the Smoothie Bar. It is vegetarian, but don't let that put you off. It was the most creative and delicious meal I had in Croatia. Trust me, you will get so tired of eating the same thing over and over. This place is like a breath of fresh air. Also, they had wonderful mixed drinks. There is nothing like a good mojito on a hot day!

Worst: sokol in Ljubljana
Why: This is like Slovinian disneyland. Very Hokie, from the attire of the waiters to the decor. If you want to feel like a tourist, go here. The food was expensive and not very good.

cathy harrell in alexandria, VA USA 07/08/2007

Best: Ljubljana - various
Why: Ljubljana - Fell in love with this city. Just wish we had more time to sample all of the restaurants and flavors of gelato. Our favorite cafe was the Abecaderium with it's fountain and live music. Highly recommend Gostilna AS, too. Farmer's market is a must!

Gayle Wheeler in Champaign , IL USA 07/08/2007

Best: Indian/Local Place (Bled)
Why: Sadly, I've already forgotten the name, but it was the first recommendation for Bled and offers a great mix of Indian and local fare. Absolutely wonderful with great service and fantastic vegetarian options.

Worst: Park Cafe (Bled)
Why: We visited the lake front cafe of Hotel Park for the famous cream cake (kremna rezina). The service was terrible and when the we finallywere served, they were out of cream cake by mid afternoon. We headed to the coffee and sweets shop at Hotel Lovec which had a great selection of treats, including cream cake.

Andrea in Atlanta, GA USA 06/18/2007