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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 2024 has come 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 2025.
If you’re a lover of fresh (wild) fish then this is the place for you. It makes for an ideal day trip. You’ll need a boat (yes it is a little more complicated), but the scenery and food is the best you’ll get.
Located on the start of the Kornati Archipelago, there are a few great beaches that you can stop off, before or after lunch. One such beach is Lojišće. A sandy a less frequented beach found on the south side of Dugi Otok (see: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zrEUn4mpjmNfZEBQ7)
Or you are more than welcome to stay moored at the Suha Punta restaurant for as long as you like. The restaurant itself is very simple (almost Robinson’s Crusoe), however the fish is caught daily and is of top quality.
The sea itself has the clearest of blue water, and is of easy access for swimming. One of the places when you visit Zadar, where you truly wish time would stand still.
One of the challenges is that you will need a boat. So if this is one on your bucket list, please let the staff at O’live Residence know. So that we may help in finding the best solution for you.
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.
