Food to Try in Zadar 2026: Black Risotto, Peka, Octopus & Pag Cheese

Zadar’s food follows Dalmatian coastal tradition: Adriatic seafood, slow-cooked meats, olive oil, and regional cheese and cured meats. The green market and fish market supply local produce; the Old Town and promenade are lined with konobas. All prices in euros (€).

Must-try dishes

Crni rižot (black risotto)

Rich squid-ink risotto with cuttlefish or squid — one of the most iconic seafood dishes on the Dalmatian coast. The most consistently ordered dish at konobas and fish restaurants throughout Zadar.

• Typical price: €12–20

Octopus salad (salata od hobotnice)

Cold boiled octopus with potatoes, red onion, capers, parsley, and olive oil. A light, summery starter before grilled fish or peka.

• Typical price: €9–15

Peka (octopus or meat under the bell)

Slow-cooked under a bell-shaped lid on embers — octopus is the most popular version, but veal and lamb are also used. Must be ordered in advance (usually on the morning of your visit).

• Typical price: €15–25 per person as a sharing portion

Pašticada (Dalmatian slow-braised beef)

Beef marinated in wine and vinegar, slow-cooked with prunes and vegetables, served with gnocchi or pasta. The definitive Dalmatian meat dish.

• Typical price: €14–22

Grilled fish (riba na žaru)

Fresh sea bass, sea bream, scorpionfish, or mackerel grilled over an open fire with olive oil and herbs. Often priced by weight at the restaurant; many bring the whole fish to show you before cooking.

• Typical price: €16–30 depending on fish and size

Pag cheese (Paški sir) and Dalmatian pršut

Hard, salty sheep’s milk cheese from nearby Pag Island with a distinctive flavour from the island’s salty-wind-influenced grass, typically served with Dalmatian pršut (air-cured ham), olives, and bread.

• Typical price: €8–15 for a shared platter

Roasted olives with olive oil

Olives roasted on medium heat, served with olive oil and fresh bread. A simple but distinctive starter at traditional konobas.

• Typical price: €5–10

Buzara (shellfish in white wine sauce)

Shrimp or mussels cooked in olive oil, white wine, garlic, tomato, and herbs — shell-on for maximum flavour. A showstopper seafood plate when lobster or larger shrimp are used.

• Typical price: €18–35 for shrimp or lobster buzara

Brudeta (fish stew)

Fish and sometimes crab or eel simmered in a tomato-based broth — a home-style seafood soup found at traditional fish-only konobas.

• Typical price: €8–15

At the market

Zadar’s Pijaca green market (morning, near Old Town) and fish market offer fresh produce, local cheese, olives, and bread. The market is as much a food experience as the restaurants — worth visiting for picnic supplies or to understand local ingredients.

Price overview

Dish	Price
Black risotto	€12–20
Octopus salad	€9–15
Peka (per person)	€15–25
Pašticada	€14–22
Grilled fish	€16–30
Pag cheese and pršut platter	€8–15
Roasted olives	€5–10
Buzara (shrimp/lobster)	€18–35
Espresso	€1.50–2.50

Practical notes

• Order peka in advance — tell the restaurant in the morning for an evening meal
• Market hours: Early morning; best arrive by 9am for the freshest produce
• Restaurant quality varies in the Old Town — 4 Kantuna and Kaštel are reliable; check recent reviews for others