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”.