Food scene in Trogir is dedicated to providing the best quality for the locals and our guests. Being on the coast, naturally, most traditional meals are revolving around fresh sea food, vegetables, herbs (spices) and of course, magnificent olive oil. In the right hands, food becomes art.

Written by: Ksenija Ninić
Source: trogirbyhearth.com

As we said so many times before, Dalmatia is to be enjoyed with all the senses, especially taste and smell. The culinary scene here gives you the opportunity to enjoy traditional but also modern cuisine, with freshness as a main note.

When thinking about a family or friends gathering, for celebrations, mourning or just a cold winter night, there is no escape from food being served. “Just a little bit, something for nibbling”, and then it begins; few platters of cheeses and prosciutto, grill is being fired for meat and vegetables which are then smothered in homemade olive oil and seasoned with just a pinch or two of sea salt. So never believe if you are ever invited for a gathering that it is going to be “just a little bit”.

Family table is a big deal, and in the past, lunch or dinner time with the whole family meant for some the only time a family had together in the day. A great importance is given to meals. What used to be poor people’s food is not considered that anymore because there is abundance of it is eaten daily in the households of this area. Fish soup, sardines with Swiss chard and potatoes with potent garlic from the fields of Ljubitovica (which is considered one of the best garlic sorts in the world), tripe stew, swiss chard and broad beans from the garden, cuttlefish and broad beans, “brudet”, “fritule” (fried dough balls sprinkled with icing sugar) or “paradižot” (a dish that is made in few other places in Europe, but ours is the best one, of course) for desert, are just some of the dishes traditionally eaten in most Dalmatian households here. Sundays and special occasions are reserved for “pašticada” (we could go on and on about this hearty dish, and therefore we give you one of the recipes on the next page), “peka” made of meat or octopus, codfish stew, “brudet” made from the best quality white fish, grilled white fish with a mixed vegetables salad. There is a saying here that fish needs to swim three times, once in the sea, once in the oil and lastly in wine. So good Dalmatian wine is a must. And as a crown for the feast comes the dessert, “rafioli” (ingredients on the next page) or “rožata”. Oh my, my, pure art!

Form of art

This love and knowledge of good food is also intertwined in to the local restaurants’ offer, where the story of local and fresh ingredients continues. All the dishes will compliment your senses. Taste of fresh rosemary, basil, parsley, sage, garlic, olive oil and amazing sea salt that our clean sea provides for us, as well as salted or pickled capers, caperberries, sea fennel, are more than enough to show you a whole palette of flavours that we grew up with and live with every day. There is no need to complicate, simplicity of ingredients is sometimes all that we need. The way one puts them together is a form of art though. From authentic taverns, and restaurants with more traditional menu offer to more luxurious ones, one can find whatever their heart desires. And then there are ones who incorporate both. Places where you can eat traditional Dalmatian stew for two as a main dish, and order aubergine ratatouille as a starter. Perfect balance you see.

Gastronomy scene in Trogir is evolving every year. You can have an amazing pizza here right on the promenade, a sushi evening, bao buns and spring rolls? Sure! Michelin guide recommendation restaurants perhaps? You can find them as well here. And then you have the „holy“ food, burgers, and holly molly do we have some great places with first class burgers. You know the places where you shouldn’t go for a meal wearing light colours, where the sweet sauces keep oozing down your hands? Well that kind of burgers. Bars with exquisite coctails and selections of drinks, as well as caffes with great coffee and great views, both on the island of the Old Town, but also on Čiovo and the main land side.

When thinking about a family or friends gathering, for celebrations, mourning or just a cold winter night, there is no escape from food being served. “Just a little bit, something for nibbling”, and then it begins; few platters of cheeses and prosciutto, grill is being fired for meat and vegetables which are then smothered in homemade olive oil and seasoned with just a pinch or two of sea salt. So never believe if you are ever invited for a gathering that it is going to be “just a little bit”.

Ciovo, the picturesque island neighboring the charming town of Trogir, is a haven for beach enthusiasts seeking an unparalleled coastal experience. Offering a variety of gravel, rocky, and sandy shores, Ciovo’s beaches cater to all preferences, ensuring a blend of sun-soaked relaxation and scenic adventure.

OKRUG GORNJ beach (known as Copacabana)

The Okrug Beach is most popular beach on Trogir Riviera, also known as Copacabana beach. Located at 3 km from Trogir center, it extends over 2 km and offer several coffee bars, restaurants, water sport activities and children water park. It is a long gravel beach. It is reachable from Trogir in several ways: by car (5 minutes), walking (20 minutes) and by boat. In summertime from the main Trogir waterfront there are taxi-boat companies which are connecting Trogir to the Copacabana beaches. They are running from mid-May to mid-October, off-season every hour, in high season every 15 minutes till mid-night. This is the ideal mean of transportation for all of them who are staying in the town and want to go to the beach and for those who are staying in Okrug Gornji and want to visit Trogir. This is more likely to a party beach ideal for a younger population. At only 500 m from the port where the taxi-boat are departing, on south-west part of the island the beach continues into a shorter pebble beach, called Planikovica, which is quieter than the famous Copacabana.

MAVARSTICA & DIRUNI beach

Mavarštica is a small village and lagoon, situated on the south side of the island Čiovo, 1 km from Okrug Donji and 5 km from the city of Trogir. Mavarštica lagoon is mostly made by rocky beached. There is only a beach bar at the beginning of the lagoon. At the end of the bay, it opens the bay of Diruni with his white beach (mostly gravel and rocky). The beach can be reached by car as well as by foot. It is surrounded by a pine wooden forest. Cafés are not available here.

LABADUSA beach

It takes the name from the bay where it is situated. It is located outside the everyday roads, which is ensuring peace and quiet. It is well organized with a couple of restaurants and an exclusive beach bar. It is mostly a rocky beach with some gravel parts. A camping is there available too.

DUGA beach

Situated on the eastern side of the island Ciovo between Okrug Gornji and Okrug Donji, Duga beach is one of the quieter beaches of the island. It overlook the island of Fumija and it is characterized by a very clear and blue sea. Mainly made by rocks with gravel access to the sea. It comes with a very good konoba.

STARI PORAT in Okrug Donji

Stari Porat, old port, it is situated on the west side of the island of Ciovo, not so far from the center of Okrug Donji. Located in a pine forest, with sun shade all day, it extends over about 500 m and it is the ideal place for enjoying peace and quiet, unspoiled nature, clean sea, and for a relaxing walk along sea. 

KAVA beach

The Okrug Donji Kava beach, also known as Krusica Kava beach, is located on the west side of Okrug Donji and is very accessible by car. The beach consists of part of fine gravel and another rather rocky and natural. Thanks to the gentle entry into the sea is suitable for children too. It is a very quiet beach without the possibility of having drinks or deck chairs rentals.

ARBANIJA beaches

Arbanija is a small peaceful place located on the north side of an island Čiovo. It has numerous coves made of gravel or rocky beaches where you can escape from other crowded beaches of the island.
In addition to these hidden coves along the road, which is connecting Arbanija to Slatine, just few kilometres away from Trogir and a few hundred meters from the centre Arbanija, next to the monastery Sv. Križ you will homonymous beach. On the beach there are establishments that are open until late at night, which makes this beach ideal for a light evening. Deck chairs rental is available there as well.
Not so far from this beach, at about 1 km, there is another organized beach next to the beach bar Škrapa. This beach is suitable for children too and their deck chairs rental is available as well.

SLATINE beaches

On the eastern side of Ciovo island there is a beautiful village of Slatine with several kind of beaches, very popular even among Split inhabitants, due to the fact it is very close by boat from Split. From Trogir it is easily accessible rather by car (10 minutes) or by boat. From May to October there is a boat connecting Trogir to Split which stops in Slatine. Geographically, all the coast which belongs to the village of Slatine is a huge bathing area which extends for over 5 kilometers up to the end of the island where is the famous Cava beach. This area consists of several kind of beaches, mostly gravel but in some parts rocky beaches. Depending on the part it is organized with restaurants and bars as well as deck chairs rental.

Drink water. Trogir, Split and Solin are supplied from the aqueduct built by the Emperor Diocletian himself who brought water from the source of river Jadro near today’s Solin. Average forecast for summertime in Dalmatia is +30C and sunny, so feeling thirsty – drink Diokletian water.

Enjoy Dalmatian clean food. Dalmatian food is above all what is calling “clean food”, meaning that besides olive oil, salt, parsley, and garlic, only little spices are used, and thus the food tastes natural. Traditional food in Dalmatia is very light, based a lot on fish, and other seafood, green and leafy veggies like Swiss chard, and kale, then broad beans, artichokes, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and other Mediterranean herbs.

Taste Croatian wine. In the last twenty years, many family-run wineries have set high standards in the production of quality wines made of indigenous grape varieties, like Malvazija, a dry white wine produced in Istria, or Plavac Mali. In many restaurants and bars you can get a glass of wine for 30-60 HRK.

Visit national parks around. With a surface of just over 56.000 m2, Croatia is rather a small country. The country has eight national parks, ten nature parks, and two strict reserves. Almost 10% of the country’s territory is protected. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s most visited national park, as well as Krka national park, are both famed for their lakes, streams, rapids, and waterfalls. The national parks of Kornati, Brijuni, and Mljet are located on the islands and characterized by rich marine life. The Risnjak, Northern Velebit, and Paklenica national parks cover mountainous areas. They all feature interesting limestone rocks, meadows, and vast forests.

Discover islands. For sure you’ve heard of the beautiful islands in Croatia – one of the famous features of the Croatian coast that attracts thousands visitors to the country each year. Most tourists will probably go for one of the five main islands: Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis, and Mljet, each with a very different vibe and varied attractions. You can book a boat to discover small and pebble islands with stunning bays and crystal water or plan to explore big island written above.

Understand „pomalo“ philosophy. Pomalo captures the essence of the mentality and lifestyle on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast in one word. The slow, relaxed, no problem, there is always tomorrow, 2-hour coffee – attitude of Dalmatians summed up with just one word. Our the main tip – enjoy your vacation, forget about rush and be ensure that Kairos Travel Trogir will help you to make your travel unforgettable!