12 Best Restaurants in Kvarner, Croatia

Cres is famous for its lamb, and although the majority of restaurants have it on the menu, Bukaleta is the place for the best on the island. Located in the small village of Loznati, just 10 km (6 miles) south of Cres Town, Bukaleta has been run by the same family for more than 30 years. The cozy interior is rustic with a large open fireplace, a collection of old tools and pots and its namesake bukaleta, a traditional jug made of clay from which wine is normally shared around the table. The large outdoor terrace can accommodate 100 people.

Tucked away in the Old Town, this charming café-museum has a wonderful courtyard that's ideal for chilling out and enjoying a lemonade after exploring Rab Town. Sit inside and watch as they prepare the famed rabska torta, a traditional Croatian cake made of ground almonds, maraschino liqueur, lemon, and orange peel. Take home a freshly made torta or a bag of rosemary and orange cookies.

Ten km (6 miles) north of Mali Lošinj, in the small village of Artatore, you'll find a restaurant of the same name, which locals also call Kod Janje (Chez Janje) and consider the best on the entire island. The seafood here is à l'ordre du jour; order the scampi in white wine with polenta, grilled fish, or lobster tagliatelle. For meat-eaters, the house specialty is lamb from the wood-burning oven with fried crepes filled with fresh cheese and asparagus.

With a delightful covered terrace flanked by a twisting tree, this small restaurant is Opatija's best option for fresh simply prepared seafood like grilled octopus and scampi risotto. But Istranka is also a winner for those who are not fans of seafood: taking its influence from the neighboring region of Istria, the menu features njoki, gnocchi with local ham and cheese, and of course, other local dishes with famous Istrian truffles.

The subtitle on the road signs reads nonina kuhinja (granny's cooking), and you were a spoiled child indeed if your grandma turned out dishes of this standard for you. The shady garden in the heart of ancient Osor is a perfect setting in which to enjoy the typical plates of the konoba: meat, seafood, pasta, and salads.

Frequented by locals (especially at lunch), this excellent informal seafood restaurant lies on a side road conveniently close to the City Market. House specialties are crni rižot (cuttlefish-ink risotto), seafood tagliatelle, whole fish, and shellfish. Fish is charged by weight. Adriatic blue fish, like sardines, is delicious and very affordable.  

Although the medieval palace setting may feel a bit dramatic for some, others love sitting in this character-filled historic restaurant. You are perched in front of and upon massive wooden furniture in an old stone building in the heart of Old Town Rab. In the evening, the torch illuminations allow the background to take a backseat. Come for excellent grilled meat and fresh seafood dishes like shrimp risotto and mussels buzara. 

Located in Volosko, just above the more famed Plavi Podrum, this small seafood tavern offers fresh creative seafood dishes in a cozy interior with exposed stone walls; a tiny streetside terrace has only a few tables. Locals rave about their bonito tartare, monkfish stew, and dirty calamari (baby calamari too small to be thoroughly cleaned before cooking, thus "dirty"). Order a little of everything for the ultimate seafood feast—just ask for smaller portions.

This is an upscale, traditional fine-dining fish restaurant in Volosko. The owner has won some wine awards and has, accordingly, inflated the costs for dining here, which results in unusually high expectations from diners. All the usuals are cooked to perfection, but three-color tagliolini pasta featuring scampi, peaches, and black Istrian truffles is a house specialty. The terrace is a little more relaxed than inside.

The colorful square on the edge of Cres Town Harbor is lined with many restaurants serving seafood, pasta, and risotto, and Riva is an excellent choice. Tables edge out onto the flagstones of the square, meaning the steady stream of strollers through the town will eye your plate with appreciative glances. A good selection of shellfish is up for grabs, including the seafood spaghetti, which is wonderful. It's a good idea to reserve a table in the evening.

The small town of Fužine is very close to Delnice and is well-known for its pine-bordered lake, where you'll find this eatery. This is typical mountain food that includes lots of wild game like boar, bear, deer stew, and frog legs. Come with a hearty appetite after hiking in the nearby woods or around the lake. Try the pasta with wild mushrooms or hunter's stew; the bold may want to try the house specialty: horse meat made into čevapčići (spiced meat rolled into sausage shapes and grilled).