Croatia is a food lovers’ haven. Pairing coastal cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean influence, it’s flavoursome and fresh. Hvar Town is known for its buzzing beach bars and sensational seaside, but the dining here is an equal match for everything else on offer.

Dalmatian cuisine is aromatic, complementing the seafood and meat most dishes are built around. From dining in traditional konobas to waterfront establishments with killer views, the quality of cuisine in Hvar Town is second to none. Whether you’re looking for local dishes fresh from the sea or modern fusion dining that brings the best of international cuisine to this tiny slice of paradise, you’ll have enough choice to never return to the same place twice…unless you want to!

Tantalise your tastebuds with some of the island’s best fare with this guide to the best restaurants, bars, and cafes in Hvar Town.

Best restaurants in Hvar Town, Croatia

Dalmatino

Dalmatian cuisine is full of delicious flavours influenced by The Med, with Dalmatino bringing life to every dish. Operating since 1987, this family-run restaurant is set just back from Hvar harbour near the centre of town.

Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll feel delightfully hidden from the hustle and bustle of the main square, without having to step too far away. From fresh-caught fish on a bed of potatoes to pepper-crusted steak with light garden salads, the food here is always top quality.

In true Croatian hospitality, after your meal (and sometimes before) brandy and grappa are served seemingly free-flowing. Dalmatino gets busy thanks to its reputation, so bookings are recommended.

Address | Sv Marak 1

Hours | 11am-midnight Monday-Saturday April-November

Price | mains approx. €18-45

Fig

We felt right at home at Fig, with alt-rock Aussie tunes setting the tone for the evening. Owned by an Aussie-Croat and Californian, there’s a distinct southern Californian meets Aussie twist on brunch emanating from Fig, Hvar.

While the cuisine at Fig isn’t local Dalmatian fare, it’s a delectable mix of stuffed flatbreads - think ricotta and fig, and brie and prosciutto, as well as burgers, vegetarian curries, and spicy eggs. Add some crisp beers or a zesty cocktail to the mix and you’re in for a great evening.

Set among a charming laneway, warm fairy lights and potted plants provide a cosy atmosphere for diners at this eclectic modern dining institution in the heart of Hvar’s old town. Start your day here with brunch, enjoy a late lunch, or fuel up after a busy day of swimming for dinner.

Address | Ivana Frane Biundovića 3

Hours | 10am-10pm May-Oct

Prices | mains approx. €15-20

Black Pepper

Chequered tablecloths, forest green window shutters, and the warm glow of sconce lamps detail this charming stone staircase where diners savour creative flavours of the Med at Black Pepper. One of our favourite restaurants in Hvar, we indulged in plates of black truffle Gnocchi, sea-to-table fish, and fragrant pasta dishes.

Black Pepper is owned and run by friends who make this one of Hvar’s culinary standouts, fusing traditional flavours with a modern approach. The core concept at Black Pepper Restaurant - other than amazing food - is to match locally inspired dishes with peppers from all across the world. The result? Magnifique!

If you fancy a wine pairing with your meal, the team at Black Pepper have had a sommelier prepare a selection of local Croatian wines that complement every dish on the menu for a well-rounded gastronomic experience.

Address | Skaline od gojave 11

Hours | Monday - Sunday 6pm-11pm

Prices | mains approx €20-40

Macondo

You’re on an island and the sea is one of the biggest draw cards of your destination, so naturally, seafood is a must while in Hvar. At Macondo, local fishermen provide the restaurant with freshly caught fish ‘podno forskih škojih’, which translates to ‘from the Hvar cliffs’.

Specialising in sea-to-table seafood, dishes are prepared on an open grill offering fragrant delicacies from crab and prawns to smoked tuna. Set on a picturesque street, woven baskets hang delicately above, sheltering guests from the heat of the midday sun.

Located below the fortress and tucked away in the stonewashed old town, Macondo is the place to go for lobster pasta, grilled fresh fish, and even some meat specialities accompanied by potatoes and fresh herbs.

Address | Marije Maričić 7

Hours | Monday - Saturday 12pm-2pm / 6:30pm-midnight & Sunday 6:30pm-midnight

Prices | mains from €30

READ | THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HVAR TOWN

Where to drink in Hvar Town

Kava37

If a caffeine hit is what you need, then starting your day at Kava37 is the way to go. Tucked away in the stonewashed laneways of the Hvar Old Town, this small speciality coffee shop serves coffee every which way and a selection of small bites to accompany your morning pick-me-up.

With plenty of dairy-free alternatives to add to your favourite grind, Kava37 also sells a range of indie publications and ceramics to make your own coffee at home feel just like you’re on holiday, every day.

A family-run business, ‘kava’ literally means coffee in Croatian. Having now expanded into two other locations - Kava2 and KavaRO: the roastery, in Split - this coffee house has a growing reputation for beautifully brewed coffee and a warm, welcome appeal.

BackLane Craft Bar

BackLane Craft Bar is the ideal perch for enjoying sundowners. Set among foliage-filled passages, the innovative rotation of cocktails crafted by house mixologists are based on locally grown and seasonal ingredients - farm-to-bar fresh!

Run by three childhood friends, BackLane Craft Bar makes for the perfect place of respite from the afternoon sun or an ideal place to round out the night with a tipple before bed. We enjoyed not only the drinks, but also the atmosphere and hospitality at BackLane. So much so that we found ourselves here every afternoon or evening during our stay in Hvar Town.

From the classic cocktails we know-and-love to creative concoctions that use unique flavour pairings, just ask the team of expert mixologists to whip you up the perfect blend.

Address | Ulica Kroz Burak 31

Hours | Monday - Sunday 9am-1am

Prices | cocktails from €14

Laganini

While not technically in Hvar Town, Laganini is a waterfront bar on Palmižana in the Pakleni Islands, is a must-visit. An archipelago just 15 minutes by boat from Hvar, head from the disembarking point and cross the small jungle-esque pathway across the island to a small, sheltered cove where you’ll find a narrow beach and this airy beach bar.

Book a cabana for a group or head over to the bar and take a break from soaking in the clear waters of the Adriatic with a cool beer or glass of wine. Offering more than just drinks though, you can make the most of your day on the island with a delectable cocktail selection and exotic fish dishes from an award-winning chef at Laganini too.

Address | Palmizana Palmizana 33

Hours | Monday - Sunday 11am-midnight

Prices | starters approx. €25 / mains to share from approx. €90

Best gelato in Hvar Town

L’amore Per Il Gelato

Nothing calls for a scoop or two of creamy goodness like summer in Croatia - well okay, maybe Italy wins, but this gives it a run for its money. If you’re a fiend for this dairy-inspired sweet treat, then you have to sample the exquisite flavours of authentic gelato at L’amore Per Il Gelato – the best in town!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about gelato since our many visits to Italy, it’s that the best gelato comes from the stores that serve it hidden inside those silver canisters with the lid. Don’t buy into the gimmicky storefronts with mountains of ice cream piled high with chocolate bars and fruit. We know the real deal is hidden away from sight.

At L’amore Per Il Gelato in Hvar Town, if you order a scoop of watermelon gelato, it will taste just like that juicy summer melon. Peach? Closer your eyes and you’ll think you’ve taken a bit of that delicious stonefruit. Looking for something creamy for dessert? From cookies to dulce de leche, there’s no shortage of choice. Flavours rotate regularly with a few core options as mainstays, and the most popular can sell out.

We would often pop by this hole-in-the-wall gelateria on the Hvar Town riva twice a day, once for an afternoon cool down and again to round out the evening. And we still didn’t try everything. I still think about some of the gelato we had here watching the boats bob along the harbour.

Address | Obala Fabrika 25

Hours | Monday - Sunday midday-late

Prices | one scoop approx. €3

HOW TO GET TO HVAR, CROATIA

Hvar is set among the sparkling Adriatic sea between Split and Dubrovnik on Croatia’s beloved Dalmatian Coast. Positioned between the neighbouring islands of Brac and Korcula, it is the longest of Croatia’s islands and can only be reached by boat.

Hvar is one of Croatia’s top summer destinations, so regular ferry connections from mainland destinations including Split and Dubrovnik make it easy to reach the island. You can check out ferry schedules here.

High-speed catamarans operate regularly to Hvar Town or if you’re travelling with a vehicle, you can opt for the car ferry which calls at Stari Grad in the northwest of the island.

sunset view across hvar town from spanish fortress

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HVAR?

Summer is the busiest time to visit Hvar, with many of the island’s restaurants and hotels closing over the winter. One of Croatia’s most popular destinations, the peak summer months of July and August are very hot and see peak visitor numbers, with as many as 20,000 people visit per day.

My favourite time to visit Hvar would be during the shoulder season from May-June and September. As the sunniest place in Croatia, you’ll still benefit from warm days in the sun without the swarms of tourists - not only is it more enjoyable for you, it’s also more sustainable with places like this feeling the effects of over-tourism.