Croatia & Slovenia Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: Le Mandrac
Why: All the usual local ingredients, prepared by a chef who really knows and loves his food. This was our best dinner of the trip.
Jaqui Ireland 01/09/2013
Best: Nishta
Why: Carefully prepared and tasty food. Ate there twice.
B. Seidman in Falls Church, VA USA 12/10/2012
Best: Taj Mahal
Why: The food is authentic Bosnian and the service is excellent. We had dinner both nights we were in town. Great value for your money.
Therese Havel in Tavernier, FL USA 09/27/2012
Best: Trilogija - Zagreb
Why: Simple, unassuming, and delicious. The waiter explained everything to us and the food didn't disappoint. The wine selection was decent and reasonably priced.
Worst: Dalmatino - Dubrovnik
Why: We tried many of the restaurants recommended and this one just seemed to miss the mark. I think they are just resting on their laurels and their spot in this book. Service was iffy and the food was overpriced. Please check up on them soon.
Matt B in New York, NY USA 07/17/2012
Worst: La Pasteria in Kotor
Why: Although the view was nice, the food was very mediocre.
Sharon in Silver Spring, MD USA 07/12/2012
Best: Konoba Komenice, now Buffet Komenice
Why: I liked their Octopus salad...similar to Ceviche salad without the cilantro.
Worst: Lokanda Peskarija
Why: one of the few places offering stale bread
Eileen in San Diego, CA USA 05/12/2012
Best: Julija
Why: You nailed it, Rick. "Excellent." Service was as good as the food. Lots of charm. Ate outside in the pedestrian passageway in Old Town. What fun!
Cindy in Beavercreek, Oh USA 03/23/2012
Best: NIshta in Dubrovnik
Why: I know this restaurant has been recommended frequently but it really is terrific. I am not a vegetarian but my husband is, so finding a spot that we both like is sometimes difficult. This one hit the mark. Everything is so fresh and presented beautifully. They only have seating for about fourteen people at a time so either go early or prepare to wait. I wish we had gone here on our first night in Dubrovnik instead of our last because we would have eaten here several times.
Linda in Battle Creek, MI USA 11/07/2011
Best: Nishta - Dubrovnik
Why: As Rick says, on a long trip on the Croatia coast, you see the same menu over and over again. Nishta is a wonderfully spicy and tasty change of pace. We ate there 2 out of the 3 nights we were in Dubrovnik.
Mike in Gig Harbor, WA USA 10/30/2011
Best: Vinodol in Zagreb
Why: Good place. Also excellent but not listed in the book (for Zagreb: Gall, and Republica. Both very very nice (Repubklica near Jelacic Square was on the elegant side - restaurant upstairs, coffee bar/desserts on ground level)
Worst:
Why: Other than a dubious burger at a snack bar in Plitvice National Park, we did not have a bad meal in the country!
Mark Iris in Chicago , IL USA 10/23/2011
Best: Spaghetteria Toni
Why: Good food at a very fair price. Don't miss the salmon salad. (Not sure whether this is in the guide, if it isn't, it should be.)
Worst: Wanda
Why: Looked expensive, but old town Dubrovnik IS expensive these days, and the menu was enticing. However, the food was a travesty - it in no way matched the menu description, being poorly prepared and badly cooked. Avoid this place.
Kathy in Cary, NC USA 10/21/2011
Best: Orhan Restaurant in Dubrovnik
Why: Of the four places we ate in Dubrovnik, it was the best, especially the octopus salad and the grilled vegetable plate. The fish dishes were quite good too.
Worst: Konoba Kameniche on Market Squate in Dubrovnik
Why: It must have changed hands because it is now called Buffet Kameniche (I think I spelled it right). The only fresh fish they had were sardines. My pasta with mussels was served hardly warm - yuck! My husband had the octopus salad - he's sure the octopus had been frozen.
McDonald in Brookeville, MD USA 10/14/2011
Best: Nokturno
Why: Good food at a good price.
David Krupski in Elkridge, MD USA 08/06/2011
Best: D'Vino Bar
Why: Friendly helpful orientation to Croatian wines. Sasha (owner) arranged a wine tour. Mod prices for excellent wines.
Michael P in San Leandro, Ca USA 07/23/2011
Best: Lunch Café - Marley & Me Stari Turg 9; 1000 Ljubljana
Why: Though this place wasn't specifically recommended in the guidebook (which just said, "Stroll along this street and you'll find a number of good places to eat"), we loved this place. The food was quite good, prices were very reasonable (especially in relation to the more shee shee places on either side of it) but the biggest reason is the owner. His name is Matej (pronounced Muh-tay) and he was incredibly personable, attentive, and down-to-earth. He talked with us (and other diners) for quite awhile and was truly engaged in the conversation (not just the perfunctory, "is everything all right" or "where are you from"). He's a young man who is genuinely committed to bringing good food to everyone (locals as well as travelers) at reasonable prices. He recommended other restaurants, too, with the same values and quality, wanting to share the wealth with his fellow restaurateurs. We were so impressed that we went back the next night, even though we had many other promising choices. We really hope people will support his restaurant and him by getting the word out.
I wasn't sure where to post this since none of the categories on the Graffiti wall seemed appropriate (and I couldn't find how to start a new topic). I'm sure you'll find an appropriate spot for this. Thank you.
No Name in No City, IA USA 07/16/2011
Best: Restaurant Orhan
Why: Good quality, Well prepared, nice portions excellent service, nice quiet location
Worst: Lokanda
Why: Poor menu limited choices, Charge extra for olive oil, recommended octopus salad fell far short of our expectations- Asked for a mixed salad which was thrown into a dissh , poorly prepared and basically inedible!
Johanna Collura in South Orange, NJ USA 07/14/2011
Best: Eger: Bajor Sorhaz (HBH)
Why: Istvan "Call me Steve Miller" Molnar has some great stories about Cameron Hewitt!
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 07/03/2011
Best: Penzion Mayer
Why: Elegant dining room, good service, excellent food, modest prices. Try the local specialities. We had 4 appetizers instead of appetizers and entrees.
Worst: Pizzeria Rustica
Why: Mediocre food (at best), bad service (one waitress for the whole restaurant), annoying flies (due to the flowers hanging from the outside deck), and largely inconvenient location. Avoid the pizza places in Lake Bled.
Bob K. in Potomac, MD USA 07/02/2011
Best: Okarina Etno on Lake Bled
Why: Excellent food and service. Right next to the Hotel Lovec.
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 06/27/2011
Best: Marul Konoba in Split
Why: Good food and nice square
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 06/27/2011
Best: Konoba Catovica Mlini, Morinj, Montenegro
Why: A special surprise on the beautiful drive to Kotor Bay. What a gem. Beautiful grounds, delicious food. We are so glad we stopped, even though we weren't that hungry. We'll never forget it
Cheryl McDaniel in Sandy, OR USA 06/12/2011
Best: Kapetanova Kuca in Mali Ston
Why: wonderful setting, fresh fish, fresh veggies from the restaurant's garden
Peggi Johnson in Vienna, VA USA 06/05/2011
Best: Le Mandrac, Opatija
Why: We enjoyed great food in Croatia but most restaurants serve very similar dishes. Food at Le Mandrac was refreshingly different.
Mary Mure in London, England 03/28/2011