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I’m looking forward to my upcoming June trip to Croatia! In addition to conducting research for my P.S. from Pag book, I’ll be writing the text for Sirana Gligora‘s Pag Island restaurant book, which will include local dishes made with Pag’s famous Paški cheese from some of the island’s best restaurants.
These celebrated local restaurants will be participating in the project:
In the border town of Kolan, I can look forward to lamb steaks with Paški cheese sauce at Konoba NoNo. Restaurant Figurica is a family-run restaurant in Kolan: All the kitchen produce comes from their land, and they also keep their own sheep and produce their own Paški cheese. The watering hole of choice for many local Pag Island shepherds, Konoba Giardin is a welcoming tavern in the heart of Kolan run by brothers Nicola and Josip. I’m told you’ll be hard-pressed to find better hosts on the island.
At the uttermost northern point of Pag Island where time almost stands still, you’ll find Bistro Tovarnele overlooking Lun Harbor. The establishment is run by Šime Tovarnele, whose wife makes famous Pag Island delights such as Herb Rakija and Fig and Almond cakes. Luna Island Hotel, located in Lun, is the only 4-star hotel on the island, and I am told it has an amazing restaurant. Bistro Toni, also located in Lun, is a family-run restaurant that produces their own cheese, grows their own produce, and catches their own fish–this will be a truly local culinary experience.
Konoba Vitalo is a lifelong passion project for the Vitalo family, who has built this beautiful and impressive tavern brick by brick over 30 years. The Konoba is located on the northern road from Novalja to Lun and set in their own pastures, where their sheep graze; they make their own stunning Paški cheese from their sheep’s milk.
Konoba Porat, located in Stara Novalja (Old Novalja) has a specialty dish of pasta stuffed with Paški cheese–and a view of the Adriatic Sea. Hotel Laguna’s restaurant, also in Novalja, comes highly recommended.
Tucked away in the marble-lined streets of southern Pag city, you’ll find Konoba Bodulo. A family-run restaurant with big ambitions, this hidden gem is worth searching for. Restaurant Tamaris was conceived by a husband and wife team from Kolan and Novalja. Their impressive restaurant and apartments overlook the palace walls in Pag city.
Dina, Dinjiška is rustic as you can get, but its reputation for spit-roast lamb travels beyond Pag Island. This is the perfect venue for those searching for an informal setting in which to try Pag’s famous lamb in the most traditional way. Hotel Barbati boasts the finest restaurant on the eastern side of Pag Island, with a stunning view of the bay.
Boškinac produces one of Croatia’s finest wines, and the grapes carry the full flavour of Pag Island. Boasting what is arguably the finest hotel on the island, their restaurant is fit for royalty.
Further south in the coastal town of Zadar, I’ll indulge in exquisite cuisine by a celebrated chef at Restaurant Bruschetta.
Dobar tek! (Bon appétit!)