Eating Out in Croatia: 10 Things No One Tells You

I'm Sarah, a Canadian who has lived in Croatia for 13 years. With my Croatian husband Ivan, I run Royal Croatian Tours. Before I moved here I worked as a server in Canada for years, so I noticed every little difference the first time I ate out in Croatia. None of them are bad (most of them I now prefer!), but it helps to know them before you go.

1. There's often no host stand

In casual restaurants and konobas, nobody may be waiting to seat you. If you see a free table, just sit down and a waiter will come. Upscale restaurants are different: book ahead and you'll be greeted and seated.

2. Water isn't free

Ask for water and you'll usually get a bottle (still or sparkling), and it will be on the bill. Some places will bring a jug of tap water if you ask. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink.

3. Soft drinks come in small bottles, with no free refills

A Coke comes as a small glass bottle, not a big cup from the fountain, and a second one is a second bottle on the bill.

4. Ice comes by the cube

Ask for ice and you'll get two or three cubes. If you like your drinks icy, ask for puno leda (a lot of ice), and you might get five or six!

5. Your waiter will leave you alone

Your waiter takes your order, brings your food and drinks, and then lets you enjoy your meal in peace, without checking in every few minutes. If you need something, catch their eye and say oprostite (excuse me). I found this strange at first; now I love it.

6. Nobody will rush you out

There's no pressure to free up the table. The bill only comes when you ask for it, so linger as long as you like over coffee or another glass of wine.

7. Fish comes whole

Order grilled fish and it usually arrives whole, head, tail and all, priced by weight. Ivan had to teach me how to lift the fillet off the bones, but whole grilled fish is so much juicier. Ask the waiter to fillet it for you if you prefer, many will happily do it.

8. Soup comes in a pot, salad with your main

Order soup for the table and it often comes in a big pot to share. Salad is served with your main course, not before it, so ask if you'd like it first.

9. "Cream" for your coffee means milk (or whipped cream!)

There's no coffee cream like in North America. Ask for milk (mlijeko). Ask for cream, and you might get whipped cream on top.

10. Tip in cash, and just round up

You can pay by card almost everywhere, but you usually can't add a tip to the card. Leave it in cash. Rounding up is plenty: for a €92 bill, leave €100. Read more in our guide to tipping in Croatia.

Make a reservation

The best restaurants fill up in summer, especially for dinner, and Croatians eat late, around 7:30 or 8 pm. Book ahead online or by email. Hungry for more? Discover Croatian bakery favourites, what Croatians eat for breakfast and our 33 Croatia travel tips.