Croatia has always been one of Europe’s gems but seems to be growing in popularity more and more in recent years. Whilst the epic TV series Game of Thrones has helped tourists discover filming locations in Dubrovnik and Split, the sheer beauty of the Dalmatian Coast and the Krka National Park attracts those who enjoy glorious beaches and islands teeming with nature.

One of the highlights of any holiday in Croatia will be the delicious food that’s available morning, noon and night. Whilst we have already offered some great advice on where to eat in Dubrovnik, here are just some of the dishes you should try, whichever part of the country you choose to explore.

Gregada

With such a wonderful coastline and fantastic archipelagos lying just off it, there’s no wonder that Croatian fare features an abundance of seafood. Gregada is just one of the options for lovers of marine cuisine and originated on the island of Hvar. It is made with parsley, garlic, potatoes, white wine and fish such as cod or sea bass.

Speaking of wine, Croatia has a flourishing wine scene that is largely underrated in many people’s eyes. Whilst reds seem to be enjoyed the most, the refreshing whites are also worth trying.

Strukli

This cheesy pastry is often eaten as a snack or a starter and has made its way down the mountains from Slovenia. Usually baked, but sometimes boiled, the pastry is filled with cheese and sour cream and has even been named as a cultural icon in the capital of Zagreb. Traditionally, strukli are a savoury snack but modern, innovative chefs have created dessert versions in recent years.

Fritule

If you’re looking for the perfect way to round off a meal, these boozy doughnut bites will do the trick. They are usually eaten during the winter, with an abundance of them being consumed during the Christmas period, but their deliciousness has led many Croatians to crave them all year round. Balls of dough are flavoured with rum or liquor before being deep fried. You’re most likely to find these being served out of food stalls along seaside promenades.

Peka

Peka actually refers to a unique style of cooking but can also be used to describe certain dishes that are created in this way. Meat (usually lamb, veal or chicken), octopus and vegetables are added to a shallow, flat-bottomed pan and then a dome-shaped lid is placed on the top. The dish is then cooked slowly over a long period of time by fiery embers that are heaped on top to effectively bury the covered pan.

Fuzi

As well as seafood, Croatian cuisine is greatly influenced by the food of Italy. Fuzi is a great example of this; a pasta dish covered in a rich, red sauce or served with traditional truffles that have been foraged in the forests of Motovun. The dish is mostly eaten in Istria where home cooks make the pasta shapes by cutting out diamonds and then pinching the narrow sides together around a pencil.

If you would like to try any of the dishes mentioned above, we can offer holidays to a wide range of Croatian destinations. From Split city breaks to hotels in Zagreb, call us today to plan your trip to this beautiful country.