Cuisine of Opatija for gourmets. Places for dinner - best restaurants

Opatija offers its guests to visit numerous restaurants of various trends among which one will find as upscale establishments serving rare delicacies so small budgetary eateries and buzzing cafés featuring great entertaining program. The most expensive dish of ethnic restaurants is baked fish. Upscale restaurant offer their visitors to choose a fish to be baked in large aquariums. The dish is commonly added with vegetable accompaniments.

Various sea foods are in the heart of ethnic cuisine. The Bevanda restaurant is a perfect place for city guests to try popular local treats. The restaurant is located close to the city center that is why the place is rather crowded at any time of day and night. The menu of the Bevanda restaurant is updated every season. Among house specialities the guests will find many of original chef’s specialities. Dainty treats admirers and exotic dishes fans will love the Evergreen restaurant as it offers a genuinely great choice of fish dishes. Even though the menu of the restaurant offers a dainty choice of meat dishes as well. Roast meat spiced with herbs and rich accompaniments made of stewed vegetables will be of great pleasure for the guests.

The Galeb restaurant is located on the premises of a famous hotel. The restaurant features not only excellent menu but an original styling of the interior. During the meal the guests of the eating house may enjoy vibrant views from floor to ceiling windows. A hall of the restaurant features elegant designer furniture. The Galeb restaurant offers its visitors best dishes of Mediterranean cuisine. The place is of great popularity among genuine connoisseurs of brand wines. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A popular eating house named Kamelija is a perfect destination as for vegetarian diet followers so for meat dishes addicts. Its visitors are offered several menus each of them featuring dozens of daintiest treats. In addition to chosen dishes the visitors of the restaurant are offered a good selection of wines. The Kamelija eating house possesses its own wine cellar.

A popular restaurant of ethnic cuisine named Zelengaj is located near the city botanical garden. All the popular treats on the menu are cooked following traditional recipes. Each dish of the restaurant features inimitable artistic finishing. Evenings the Zelengaj restaurant offers its guests an exciting entertaining program. The atmosphere of the restaurant is filled with pleasing live music. In the close neighborhood of Opatija tourists will find the Amfora restaurant. Its menu offers treats of various trends including popular ethnic and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant features a magnificent open air terrace offering an unforgettable view of the sea shore.

In Opatija, you can taste the most popular Croatian dishes, as well as special regional delicacies. The formation of local gastronomy was greatly influenced by the culinary traditions of Hungary, Italy, Turkey, and Austria, but many traditional dishes have still managed to preserve their distinctive historical flavor. Opatija cuisine is dominated by fish specialties. Local restaurants serve dozens of fish and other seafood. Seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs are actively used here too. It is impossible to imagine the preparation of traditional dishes without seasonings and spices.

One of the most popular snacks in Opatija restaurants is cod paste, which has been prepared according to an unchanged recipe for over a hundred years. It has such a delicate and light taste that it's not easy to guess what it is made of at the first tasting. Typically, local restaurants serve this pate with fresh bread.

The main meat delicacy is traditional prosciutto ham, which can be tasted not only in restaurants but also at local grocery markets. Locals have also reached great heights in cheesemaking. Each farm produces some special cheeses, the most refined of which is truffle cheese. Seafood lovers will have the opportunity to try delicious squids, as well as special Scampi shrimp.

Regional restaurants' menus are rich in shellfish, some of which are quite rare. Fish stew is considered a classic of the regional menu. Fish is also used to cook various soups. Those interested in more refined delicacies while in Opatija should order wine soup or truffle risotto. Small family restaurants are especially popular with gourmets. Here they can taste not only dishes prepared according to traditional recipes but also young home-made wines.

One of the main secrets of local gastronomy is special spicy herbs harvested in the coastal areas. They are used to prepare both fish and meat dishes, and even desserts. The most popular sweets in Opatija are prepared from Mediterranean fruits. Honey and almonds are also actively used in local confectionery. At local markets, you can buy tasty dried fruits and various types of nuts.