Where to eat in Hvar: what to order and where
Hvar eats island Dalmatian: gregada fish stew, Hvar anchovy pie, cured ham, olive oil and the island's red wine. Book dinner in Hvar town in summer, and eat lunch at a konoba a few lanes back from the harbor. Many places close from late October.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The lanes behind the main square in Hvar town, and Stari Grad's old streets.
- Order this
- Gregada fish stew, Hvar anchovy pie, and a board of ham and cheese.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12:00, dinner from 19:00. Kitchens close earlier outside summer.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner in Hvar town in season. Markets and bakeries take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up or leave about 10 percent if service was good.
What to eat in Hvar
- GregadaThe island's fish stew: white fish, potatoes, olive oil and white wine, cooked in one pot. Order it where it is on the menu as a speciality.
- Forska pogačaA thin pie filled with salted anchovies and onion, from Hvar's old fishing tradition. A good starter or snack with local wine.
- PekaOctopus, lamb or veal roasted under an iron bell covered in embers. Order a day ahead.
- Pršut and Pag cheeseDalmatian cured ham and hard sheep's cheese, served as a board with olives and olive oil.
- Grilled fishWhole fish sold by weight and grilled with olive oil and chard. Ask the weight and price per kilo before you order.
- Black risottoRice cooked with cuttlefish ink and seafood. Rich and salty, common on the coast.
- Marinated anchoviesFresh anchovies cured in vinegar and oil, served cold. A staple at tavern tables.
- ProšekA sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes, often served with figs or almond cakes.
Where to eat in Hvar, by neighborhood
Behind the main square, Hvar town
Small konobas and wine bars in the lanes between the square and the fortress. Look for short menus and walk a block or two from the harbor.
The Riva and the harbor
Terraces on the water. Good for a drink and the view, less good value for dinner.
Stari Grad old town
Seafood restaurants and taverns around the harbor and the lanes behind it. Calmer than Hvar town, and generally better value.
The Pakleni islands
Beach restaurants on the small islands, reached by water taxi, usually serving grilled fish. Book in July and August and check the return boat.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Mediterraneo Dine&Wine
€€€Restaurant · Hvar town
OrderCroatian coastal dishes, with local wine
Listed in the Michelin Guide with a Plate in 2024 and 2025, serving Croatian cooking in the old town.
- Book
- Reserve ahead in season
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Terra Restaurant by Maslina Resort
€€€Restaurant · Stari Grad
OrderThe seasonal Mediterranean menu
A Michelin Guide listing in Stari Grad, built around produce from the resort's own garden.
- Book
- Reserve ahead
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Konoba Menego
€€Konoba · Hvar town
OrderA board of ham, Pag cheese and Hvar anchovy pie
A stone-walled tavern in the lanes between the square and the fortress, serving Dalmatian small plates and wine from the family's own island vineyard.
- Book
- Walk in early, or reserve
- Closed
- December to March
Confirmed open: timeout.com
-
Konoba Maestro
€€€€Konoba · Hvar town
OrderThe fish of the day
A small konoba in the old town listed by Gault&Millau, open evenings only.
- Book
- Reserve for dinner
Confirmed open: foodle.pro
Food markets in Hvar
- Hvar town green and fish marketFruit, vegetables, honey, lavender products and the day's fish beside the cathedral. Go early for the best of it.Daily in the morning, until early afternoonSource: total-croatia-news.com
How Hvar eats
- Meal timesLunch is a long meal from about 12:00. Dinner starts around 19:00 and many kitchens close by 22:00.
- TippingLeave about 10 percent if service was good, or round the bill up.
- ReservationsBook dinner in Hvar town in summer, and book peka a day ahead.
- SeasonMany restaurants close between late October and April. Check before you plan a winter dinner.
- Fish by weightWhole fish is priced per kilo. Ask the weight and price before you order.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with photos of the dishes by the door.
Waiters on the Riva calling you in.
Fish priced with no weight or price per kilo on the menu.
Eating in Hvar: questions people ask
What food is Hvar known for?
Gregada fish stew, Hvar anchovy pie, peka, grilled fish and island wine.
Where is the best place to eat in Hvar?
For a Michelin-listed meal, Mediterraneo in Hvar town or Terra in Stari Grad. For a tavern, Konoba Menego.
Do you need to book restaurants in Hvar?
In Hvar town in July and August, yes, for dinner. Markets, bakeries and cafes take walk-ins.
How much do you tip in Hvar?
About 10 percent for good service, or round up the bill.
Is Hvar expensive for food?
Hvar town is among the dearer places on the coast, especially on the harbor. Stari Grad and the lanes behind the square are better value.
Are restaurants in Hvar open in winter?
Many close from late October to April. A few places stay open, so check before you go.