Croatia is known for its Adriatic-influenced food and homestyle dishes. Contrary to other European countries, dining in Croatia is much different.
From truffles to squid ink risotto and all in between, dining in Croatia is very exciting. Like many countries in Europe, Croatia’s dining common practices can be a bit different from what you may be accustomed to. Before you start mentally meal prepping, here are some important things that you should know about dining in beautiful Croatia.
1. It’s always seat-yourself-style dining.
Depending on where you call home, this may feel a bit unnatural, but it’s the way! Whether grabbing your morning coffee at the café or enjoying a nice dinner, seat-yourself-style dining is a very common practice. In a packed restaurant, giving a nod or smile to the staff as you head to your table is not a bad thing. However, don’t worry about being lost in the crowd. They expect you to be doing this and are always keeping an eye out.
2. Be prepared for when your waiter comes by.
Menus are pretty standard across all cafés and bars in Croatia. With that, waiters often expect you to generally know what you want to order before you even sit down. Sometimes you are greeted before you even take your jacket off. If you aren’t sure and you want to take a moment to look at the menu, it’s completely okay. You just may have to wait for a bit for your waiter to make their way back to your table.
The concept is similar at restaurants in Croatia. Instead of being greeted immediately upon arrival, you are typically given a few moments to have a look at the menu. However, when your waiter does come by, be prepared to order your drinks and food all at once. Otherwise, again, you will have to wait for a bit until your waiter returns again.
3. Slow dining is a very common practice.
With the cultural norms that follow along with dining in Croatia, it’s easy to expect the process to feel rushed. However, it couldn’t be more of the opposite! Slow dining is incredibly common in Croatian bars, restaurants, and cafés. Patrons often spend hours chatting and relaxing with just one cappuccino order. Compared to eateries in North America, this is a much different scene. It took my Canadian-born self about a week to adjust. So, definitely don’t be afraid to take your time, soak in the buzz, and chat the night away.
4. Dining in Croatia is earlier than in other parts of Europe.
Unlike late dining regions like Italy and France, dining in Croatia happens a lot earlier. You will find patrons sitting down for dinner any time between about 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. It’s also common for Croatians to opt for a large lunch vs. a large dinner. So, if you do find yourself hungry even earlier than 5:00 pm, you’re likely to find a restaurant that is happy to serve you an early dinner.
5. Tipping is not required, but it is expected.
Although a bit contradictory, it makes sense. For the most part, a 10% tip or rounding up tip logic is the standard. For example, if your total is €2.35, rounding up to €3.00 is acceptable. However, if your total is €2.90, you would opt for a 10% tip.
Having said that, tipping is not absolutely required. If you don’t have enough change for your morning espresso or it’s your second beer bill, it’s not essential. Even on typical bills, waiters will often give you your change and walk away without a tip. This is okay to do in situations like this, but it is still important to be prepared to leave a tip in general.
6. Understand your menu. Here is a typical Croatian menu breakdown:
Menu styles always vary from place to place. In Croatia, there are a few key things to note when flipping through yours.
Grilled Meat in Croatia
Meat platters and dishes are super common in most restaurants in Croatia. Although delicious, it’s important to note that these dishes often come a la carte. Meaning, when you order the ‘chicken skewers’, or ‘sea bass’, you are likely to receive just that. Sides are available, but they do come at an extra cost.
Pizza in Croatia
Small…or mighty? With such close proximity to Italy, pizza is a commonality in many eateries. Menus will likely feature small, personal, and family-sized combinations. Oftentimes though, it is only indicated by the price. If you are looking to share, be sure to confirm the sizing with your waiter.
Ordering Water in Croatia
Like many countries in Europe, water often comes at a cost. When ordering a coffee beverage, it is usually given complimentary. However, in any other instance, it tends to be a couple of euros additional.
I hope that this has helped you on your Croatian travels! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. I would love to hear all about your adventures!