Food · Hvar · Croatia
What to eat in Hvar
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Hvar, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Hvar gregada, Peka and Hvar paprenjak. Family wineries around Sveta Nedjelja, Ivan Dolac and Jelsa pour Plavac Mali and Bogdanuša with pršut and cheese; book ahead and arrange a driver. Book dinner in Hvar Town in July and August, especially for harbour-view tables.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Hvar gregada
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.
- Food experiences
- 3
9 foods to try
Dish
1.Hvar gregada (Hvarska gregada)
A traditional fishermen's stew of white fish, potatoes, garlic, onion and olive oil, slowly simmered with white wine. It is one of the island's signature dishes and is often ordered in advance.
Where: Konobas in Hvar Town, Stari Grad and on the Pakleni Islands; ask the day before if it is not on the menu.
Dish
2.Peka
Lamb, veal or octopus slow-cooked with potatoes under a domed iron bell covered in embers. It takes several hours and is usually ordered a day ahead.
Where: Inland konobas and village restaurants; reserve in advance.
Dessert · Vegetarian
3.Hvar paprenjak (Hvarski paprenjak)
Crunchy biscuits made with honey and black pepper, pressed with decorative patterns, an old recipe from the island.
Where: Bakeries, souvenir shops and local producers across the island.
Dish
4.Grilled fish with blitva
Whole fish from the Adriatic grilled with olive oil and garlic, served with blitva, Swiss chard boiled with potatoes and olive oil.
Where: Fish restaurants around the harbours; fish is priced by the kilo.
Dish
5.Octopus salad (Salata od hobotnice)
Tender boiled octopus with potatoes, onion, capers, olive oil and vinegar, served as a cold starter.
Where: Nearly every konoba and seafood restaurant on the island.
Dish
6.Dalmatian pršut and cheese
Air-dried ham and hard sheep's cheese, served with olives and bread as a starter platter with a glass of wine.
Where: Konobas and wineries throughout the island.
Drink · Vegetarian
7.Plavac Mali
Dalmatia's main red grape, grown on the steep south-facing slopes of Hvar, produces powerful, full-bodied wines.
Where: Family wineries on the south coast and around Jelsa, and wine bars in Hvar Town.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Bogdanuša
An indigenous white grape of Hvar, grown mainly on the Stari Grad Plain, producing light, fresh wines.
Where: Wineries around Stari Grad and Jelsa and most restaurants on the island.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Prošek
A sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes, traditionally served to guests with biscuits.
Where: Konobas and wineries, often offered at the end of a meal.
Food experiences
Winery tasting on the south coast
Family wineries around Sveta Nedjelja, Ivan Dolac and Jelsa pour Plavac Mali and Bogdanuša with pršut and cheese; book ahead and arrange a driver.
Peka dinner in an inland konoba
Order a peka a day in advance at a village konoba and spend a long evening over lamb or octopus from under the bell.
Beach lunch on Palmižana
The Pakleni Islands have restaurants set among pine trees just above the coves; reserve a table for a long seafood lunch between swims.
Vegetarian options
Of the 9 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Hvar paprenjak, Plavac Mali, Bogdanuša and Prošek. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Book dinner in Hvar Town in July and August, especially for harbour-view tables.
- Peka and gregada often need ordering a day in advance.
- Fish is priced by weight; ask for the price of the fish you choose before it is cooked.
- Many restaurants close from November to March, especially in Hvar Town.
- Inland villages and Stari Grad are usually better value than Hvar Town's waterfront.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave about 10% in restaurants for good service and round up in cafés and taxis.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dobar dan | Good day / hello |
| Hvala | Thank you |
| Molim | Please / you're welcome |
| Račun, molim | The bill, please |
| Živjeli | Cheers |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Hvar famous for?
Hvar gregada, Peka, Hvar paprenjak and Grilled fish with blitva. A traditional fishermen's stew of white fish, potatoes, garlic, onion and olive oil, slowly simmered with white wine.
+Is Hvar good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Hvar paprenjak, Plavac Mali and Bogdanuša.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Hvar?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave about 10% in restaurants for good service and round up in cafés and taxis.