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At O’live Residence we believe a great holiday is a combination of stunning food; warm memories and authentic experiences. However, for many when planning their trip, they are quick to use websites such as Tripadvisor or similar that only repeat what the masses have deemed as good. But good is not great!
To get that defining extra out of your next holiday, there is no substitute for local knowledge. Good local knowledge is that missing ingredient that can make a good Croatian holiday, great!
So as part of the O’live Residence experience we make it a priority to keep finding those hidden gems, not only in Zadar but in Croatia. So when planning your next trip to Croatia, feel free to reach out for some local expertise.
As the 2023 season comes to a close, we have chosen 3 new gems to highlight. All three are a gastronomy offer, with a bit of a twist. Great food and 5 star service. Perhaps you may like to add them to your travel bucket list in 2024.
Restaurant Lazaret has been around since the 70’s. However once your simple Balkan fried fish and čevapi place, in 2023 under new ownership became one of the better fine dinning restaurants, we would say on the entire Dalmatian coast.
It is important to note its fine dining (no kiddie menu), it is on the premium end of the market. However when comparing the prices paid in most restaurants around Zadar, it has by far the best value.
The restaurant is located on the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, Ošljak. From Bibinje its 10 minutes by boat. They have their own boat transfer service (at a very small cost), or you can reachnthem by local ferry. However we would recommend taking their boat, it’s great & very affordable, it also adds toe the experience and is the most convenient way to go.
It is located on a small island, so spending the day there swimming or lazing around is possible. Pick up can be on the beach next to O’live Residence. So essentially a door to door service.
Its known for its seafood, but the meat dishes are great too. Of exceptional note are the shrimp / scampi; John Dory or Monk fish with truffles. Of the meat dishes you have the local Pašticada or steak.
They also offer Tasting menus’ of 3, 5, or 7 courses. As well as food and wine pairing. 3 course meal was 65 euro per head, drinks extra. Menu on this link.
Excellent! Is all we can say.
If you want a great day out with top food then Lazaret is for you. It’s an experience for all the senses and you will take home many fond memories. For those of you who are self-proclaimed hedonists, this is one not to be missed.
ROCA is a family restaurant and dry meat establishment located in the hinterlands between Zadar and Šibenik. It is some 40 min drive from O’live Residence. Its is set on an olive tree plantation, established in the late 90’s, however you’d think by the architecture it was built in the early 1900’s.
In short ROCA is a farmstead. Famous for their dry meats – prosciutto, bacon, ham and sausages, in recent times ROCA has branched out to offer various meat dishes in their restaurant. One to die for is the traditional Dalmatian PEKA.
ROCA has a very simple menu of entrée – homegrown cold cuts; main is your choice of meat under the PEKA. PEKA is essentially a large bell barbecue, heated from beside and above by charcoal. It’s a traditional way of cooking in Dalmatia, and the results are finger liking good. Be eat lamb, oultry or veal with potatoes your taste buds will not regret it.
Set on a large olive tree plantation, it’s a fantastic family environment. At the back of the plantation you will find their local livestock – be it chickens, geese and of course their heard of Yorkshire, Duroc & Landrace pigs!
Its definitely an experience that you can only live in Dalmatia. Visiting ROCA is great to tie in with a half day trip to the Krke waterfalls, or as a dinner destination after visiting a few vineyards either in Zadar or Šibenik region.
Recently opened, Morlacco is based in a small town in Jasenice, some 30min drive from O’live Residence. It’s on the foothills of the Velebit mountain range, and set in an old bauxite mine.
The location itself is something else. Surrounded by a stunning lavender field and bringing life to an abandoned bauxite mine it’s probably the most interesting tasting room you’ll ever visit.
Enjoy in an array of local wines, accompanied by local prosciutto and international award winning Pag cheeses, it’s a place that rewards all 5 senses.
On Wednesday Morlacco offers a local chef who will prepare delicious local dishes for their guests.
If driving to Zadar Morlacco is a great place to stop off before your arrival at O’live Residence or tie it in with a tour of Velebit or a day trip to Pag.
Whether you’re planning an active holiday; one of a hedonistic nature, or just a quite trip with the family, reach out to us at O’live Residence. We’d be more than happy to assist with preparing an itinerary.
