June 11, 2022 - If you're looking for the best places to eat in Hvar town this summer, Sunčani Hvar has you covered. 

From captivating beach restaurants with sensational sea backdrops to hip rooftop dining with panoramic views of the city, Hvar really does have it all. The most popular hotel group on the island, Sunčani Hvar, has compiled a list of some of their favorite places to eat while spending time in Hvar town. 

Beach Club Hvar

Dubbed as one of the hottest beach clubs in Europe, BCH is also one of the coolest places to eat in Hvar. Book your sunbed throughout the day and enjoy a signature cocktail right by the seaside. If you get hungry your table is just a few steps away in the central part of the restaurant area among stunning white stone colonnades. Discover carefully prepared Mediterranean delicacies, delicious salads, and original seafood entrees.

San Marco

Located at the 5-star heritage hotel Palace Elisabeth, San Marco is surely one of the best restaurants in Hvar. Perched on top of the hotel’s terrace, it boasts beautiful views of the main square and Hvar bay. Ideal for those who want to enjoy tasty Mediterranean cuisine with innovative and artfully presented dishes inspired by fresh, local products and aromas that together create a truly unique culinary experience.

Val Marina

This renowned marina-front terrace is situated directly on the promenade and allows guests to enjoy picturesque views of the old town of Hvar, the Arsenal, and the harbor. Perfectly balancing space and privacy, it is the ideal spot for a romantic dinner. Pair fantastic international and unique Hvar wines from some of the finest local and world-renowned producers with your exquisite culinary experience. This is surely one of the top places where to eat in Hvar.

Top Bar

Located on the roof-top of spa hotel Adriana, Top Bar is one of the places that will simply leave you in awe. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy stunning panoramic views spanning from the fortress all the way to Paklinski islands. Enjoy different Mediterranean tastes with a twist of Asian-inspired cuisine. Later, mingle with friends and enjoy tasty cocktails or a bottle of wine accompanied by chill lounge music.

BB Club Social Bar & Kitchen

Still thinking about where to eat in Hvar? BB Club Social Bar & Kitchen is Hvar’s newest restaurant and bar concept. Not to mention that this restaurant in Hvar is located in the heart of the city, directly in the marina. Perfect for mega-yacht gazing, BB’s lavish terrace is also the ideal place to enjoy Mediterranean delicacies with an emphasis on local ingredients. 

For more info click here.

For more on where to eat in Croatia, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

18 May 2022 - If New York had a Croatian equivalent of a city that never sleeps, Hvar town would be it. The vibe here is a complete 180 from the chill, whimsical air of Stari Grad, so let’s dive right into 24 hours in Hvar town!

9.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m.

After getting off the bus from Stari Grad, leave your bags at your next accommodation and walk over to Kava37 to start your day. Here, you can get an outstanding flat white, perfectly paired with a freshly baked, palm-sized, hazelnut and chocolate chip cookie.

Everything served in this cafe is organic and fair-trade, while the coffee beans are roasted in Kava’s Split-based roastery. They even offer milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and soy!

From this point, there are 2 options for spending the day, or better yet, the next 48- hours in Hvar Town.

OPTION 1

10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Time to make up for the lack of beach time and a dip in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic by exploring the nearby Pakleni Islands!  Honestly, the best way to go about this if you have a boating license is to rent a small boat and explore the nooks and crannies of the islands at your own pace.

Do note that prior to 2022, you might not have needed a boat license to rent a 5hp boat (€160 for a full day) but the rules have since changed!

Discover your own magical bay by renting a boat and weaving through the islands. Hvar tourist board/Facebook screenshot.

With that said, you’ll be treated to some of the most stunning waters in the area. Imagine finding your own secluded bay, dropping anchor, diving into the crystal waters, and enjoying an ice-cold beer while soaking up the Mediterranean sun. And doing it over, and over, for the entire afternoon. Isn’t this what all vacation dreams are made of?

Better since these small boats usually come with an ice box (already filled with ice in our case) so you can bring your own snacks and drinks. Most tour providers will also rent you additional snorkeling gear, and towels, or even provide you with food and beverage packages to save you the trouble of bringing your own.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a boating license, there are also guided half-day (4 hours) or full-day tours around the islands. Or hire a skipper (€40) who will gladly take you to some of the best spots in the area.

OPTION 2

10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Since Stari Grad was packed with activities, it’s time to sit and enjoy some time in the Adriatic Sea. Pokonji Dol is about a 15-minute walk from Hvar Town and is the most accessible beach from the downtown area. Like Pakleni Islands, you won’t miss out on the inviting clear, turquoise waters of the Adriatic, while the pebbled beach means no sand in every nook and cranny imaginable. Makes for easy clean-up!

Pokonji Dol, Mekicevica and Bonj are some of the beaches within walking distance from Hvar Town. Image: Pixabay.

Sunbeds and umbrellas are also available for hire for around 100 kuna (€15) a day, and it’s good if you get there early since this beach tends to fill up quickly!

There are also a couple of restaurants along the cove that serve up the catch of the day, and make perfect pit stops to grab an ice-cold beer and seek a bit of refuge from the heat.

From the comfy day beds to exotic cocktails, Hvar Beach Club's got you covered. Image: Hvar Beach Club/Facebook screenshot.

For those seeking a more luxurious experience (with an exorbitant price tag to match), Hvar Beach Club is where you’d want to be. This place is the embodiment of what Hvar Town is known for - chic and glamorous experiences.

1.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m

After a relaxing time on the beach, slowly wind your way back towards Hvar Town’s harbor and head towards Lungo Mare. This popular family-run restaurant (notice a theme here?) mainly serves traditional Croatian cuisine including seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes.

The cozy restaurant has lovely terrace seating, nestled amongst the winding vines, and whimsical fishing nets scattered with huge shells dangling overhead. Do save room for dessert here such as the rožata, a local creme caramel, or the semifreddo with almonds, for a light, refreshing ending to your meal.

Rožata is the perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note. Image: Pinterest.

Do note that they only open from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. for lunch and from 6 p.m. - midnight for dinner.

2.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.

After lunch, take a couple of hours to explore St. Stephen’s Square, reportedly the largest square in all of Dalmatia. Here you’ll find some of Hvar Town’s main attractions such as the 400-year-old Arsenal from Hvar’s military past; the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s, complete with a bell tower; and the Loggia, which used to be part of a palace in the 15th century when Hvar was under Venetian rule.

St. Stephen's Church still holds mass today. Image: Rory321/Tripadvisor screenshot.

Also, take the time to pop into the Hvar Theater, which was the first civic theater in all of Europe! As well as the 15th century Franciscan monastery that houses a collection of artifacts like Roman and Venetian coins, and an ancient edition of Ptolemy's Atlas from 1524!

The Franciscan monastery. Image: Hvar Tourist Board/Facebook screenshot.

Take the time to wander through the back alleys of Hvar Town, away from the buzz of the Riva and St. Stephen’s square. Here, you can hear yourself think, and be treated to another dimension of the Dalmatian way of life. One at a much slower and deliberate pace where neighbors stop for a quick chat, and cats lounge on the cool stone entryways.

Explore the tiny alleyways of Hvar town at your own pace. Image: Pixabay

Along the way, you may stumble across the occasional boutique selling one-of-a-kind items that make perfect souvenirs for loved ones back home or capture a picturesque alcove as a memento.

5.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.

You should not leave Hvar without trying some desserts from Slasticarnica Hvar. This restaurant/cafe/ice cream bar offers a variety of treats that provide the perfect pick me up after all that walking, and its location right by the harbour makes it a great spot for people-watching.

6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.

After a spot of people watching with your afternoon treat, time to head back to your accommodation to get dressed for an evening out on Hvar. Maybe even a nap if you plan on partying the night away!

7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

Again, because the sunsets in Croatia are some of the most spectacular in the world, time for a drink and a spot to watch the sun go down. I find it difficult to pick just one spot so here are a couple, Hula Hula or Falko Beach Bar.

The spectacular Croatian sunsets. Image: Pixabay

Hula Hula has a much livelier crowd (sometimes, it can get downright rowdy), but is the ideal place to watch the golden sunset if you manage to nab a seat! The fact that it’s a short walking distance from the square is also a plus.

However, if you’re more like me and looking for a more chill, relaxed vibe with an equally spectacular view of the sunset, then you’re in for a 20-minute walk to Falko Beach Bar. Think hammocks, lounge music, and innovative cocktails.

9.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m.

Tucked down an alley in Hvar’s old town is Konoba Menego. Cozy, rustic (also family-owned), and dotted with an eclectic mix of antiques and pictures, this place is well-known to both locals and tourists alike. Not only is it a must-visit whenever we’re in Hvar Town, but it also tops the list of recommended places when friends and family visit the area as well.

The food is slightly pricey, and the menu limited, but what they do make is nothing short of exceptional. Start off with the Dalmatian stuffed bread and cheese plate, followed by the boar, or for seafood lovers, the shrimp gnocchi. Pair this with a liter of their house red or white wine that is produced by the family’s neighboring vineyards.

For a taste of home-cooked Dalmatian cuisine. Image: Konoba Menego.

Again, because you’re on vacation and calories take a back seat, finish off with the drunken figs that are so saturated with brandy, and the assortment of Dalmatian cakes and biscuits.

Do note that this is a small restaurant, so either head there early or after the dinner rush, otherwise the wait times can be around an hour. Bear in mind that they only accept cash!

10.30 p.m. - the sun comes up

Opened in 1999, Carpe Diem Beach Bar remains the most famous place to see and be seen in Hvar. After all, it’s a favorite haunt of star-studded celebrities when they happen to be in this part of town, so the prices tend to reflect their status.

While the party really gets going around 1 a.m., the club is a whole day affair where you can get coffee in the afternoon, lunch, and even a message all in one place. The short boat ride is included in the 150 kuna (€20) admission price (it might have changed since) and it runs every 10-15 minutes, so you won’t be kept waiting too long.

Be literally and figuratively transported into a different world. Image: Carpe Diem Beach Bar/Facebook screenshot.

Once you’re there, it’s a completely different world with light shows, fire breathers, DJs, the occasional fashion show, and creative cocktails, which may be the perfect way to end your 24 hours in Hvar Town.

November 25, 2021 – From the epic medieval harbour of Vrboska and the buzz of Hvar town to the historic streets of Stari Grad and 250 kilometres of brilliant beaches, this new footage of summertime on Hvar is making us yearn for next season.

© Goran Šafarek

Hvar Town is overflowing with life in summer. By day, families wander by the waterside or between restaurants in the old town. By night, bars and discos are vibrant and full. In Stari Grad, a constant stream of excited new visitors arriving by boat. Such scenes tell of the popularity of summertime on Hvar. Arguably, this is Croatia's most well-known island for holidaymakers.

© Goran Šafarek

But, away from the throngs of people in Hvar Town and Stari Grad, there's a distinctly different side to this island. Famously, Stari Grad Plain (Starogradsko polje) on the interior looks much the same now as it did over 2000 years ago. That's how long grapes and olives have been cultivated here. Pretty rows of vines and fields of olive trees or lavender colour the landscape all over Hvar. Passing by these agricultural endeavours gives a better reminder of just how much room there is for everyone on Hvar.

As shown above, the long, ancient harbour at Vrboska © Goran Šafarek

With 250 kilometres of its own coastline, Hvar is not short of beaches. People love swimming in the island's crystal clear waters. Sailors love them too. In the ancient harbour of Vrboska, there's an altogether different feeling to arrivals by boat. Here, elegant yachts gracefully cruise into the long, thin harbour. They find temporary homes near small, traditional fishing boats. Inside, summertime sailors may have chosen this beautiful part of the island because of its famous restaurants. After the gastronomic joy of lunch, maybe they'll wander the historic promenade or visit one of the famous winemakers near here.

In the background, sailors into Vrboska © Goran Šafarek

All these different aspects of summertime on Hvar and more have been captured in an all-new video made by Goran Šafarek. Goran, who is an independent biologist, publicist, photographer and filmmaker, was on the Adriatic working in summer 2021. His assignments included film work commissioned by Croatian National Parks. But, he took advantage of being on the coast and made time between assignments for a family sailing holiday. He visited Korčula island and Hvar island, using the opportunity to make new videos of each.

© Goran Šafarek

Total Croatia News has already published Goran's new video of Korčula, which you can watch here. This new one of Hvar has us pining for summer and making plans for next.

For more info about Hvar island, look here. And for the latest news from Hvar, bookmark Total Croatia News pages here

July the 22nd, 2021 - The beautiful Central Dalmatian island of Hvar, known as Croatia's premier island, appears to be some new territory to conquer for the well known Valamar Riviera Hotel company. But that isn't all that's on the horizon.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Sergej Novosel Vuckovic writes, the Valamar Riviera Hotel company seems to have selected gorgeous Hvar to be its latest lucrative field - after the existing one hotel and two apartment complexes, a new hotel of the lifestyle genre was opened on the island back at the end of May this year, and it was the first to be adorned with the new Hvar brand (Places Hotel).

In addition, the offer for both tourists and residents alike has been supplemented by two new restaurants - Craft Beer & Grill and Grano Duro Pizza & Pasta have been operating on the waterfront for two months now.

These are independent facilities, and a massive 8.4 million kuna was poured into their renovation. Dario Kinkela, the director of the food and beverage sector at Valamar, will say that they belong to an already very well-established concept:

“We conceived the concepts a few years ago and implemented them in Rabac (as part of another restaurant) and Porec (Camp Lanterna, and Camp Istra in Funtana). Every year we improve them and adapt them to a new destination.

Grano Duro is based on top-quality pizzas, pasta and summer salads at affordable prices, and Craft Beer & Grill is focused on a rich offer of grilled meat and beer, with an emphasis on the best Croatian and world craft breweries,'' says Dario.

The move highlights the excellent relationship with local food suppliers, which is something that is in the interest of just about everyone of late, especially since the pandemic struck and issues with imports and exports became apparent.

“Cooperation with them is integrated into the Valamar Riviera Hotel company's very business policy. Wherever possible, we work with the local community, and this is reflected in the satisfaction of our guests who appreciate these high-quality groceries. They like to explore the tastes of the destinations they choose more and more, to taste something indigenous, and this isn't only a trend but is also a conscious focus on sustainability, which is an essential item when it comes to our business.

Hvar has a great wealth of flavours to boast of, from aromatic herbs, fruits and vegetables to wine. In these restaurants, we've adjusted our offer accordingly. Examples are Hvar oregano and capers on our pizzas, and Hvar lavender and bitter orange in cocktails, and we also offer pasticada with Hvar-sourced ingredients,'' says Kinkela.

Up in Istria, more precisely in Porec and Rabac, Grano Duro and Craft Beer & Grill had, he adds, excellent results, so they hope for something similar in Stari Grad on Hvar.

His hopes are especially high in this regard because these niches, as they claim from the Valamar Riviera Hotel company, otherwise aren't so present on the island. Regardless of the fact that Hvar has a reputation as a destination for wealthier guests, it targets different categories of consumers: Grano Duro is for families and young people, and Craft Beer & Grill attracts boaters and guests from private accommodation,'' says Kinkela.

These restaurants are far from unimportant, they've been designed to remain in operation even in the colder months so they have the potential to work all year round, not just in the summer. They stated from the Valamar Riviera Hotel company that this will not happen for now, noting that the move depends on several factors.

Judging by the fact that Valamar guarantees a minimum salary of 5,000 kuna to all of its workers, as well as secured accommodation and food, they didn't have any difficulties in finding staff in Stari Grad.

"Specialists from our F&B team trained our employees on Hvar, and went through all segments. Managers and key employees were trained in our similar facilities in the north. The training sessions have been carefully developed within our sector and I'm very proud of our educators,'' says Kinkela.

One year ago, the Valamar Riviera Hotel company launched the Valfresco Direkt service, as an online store that gives small producers a space to list and market their products. It is available to citizens and tourists alike in Istria.

"The good trend in this regard has continued, Valfresco Direkt delivers its products to camps in Istria and Krk every day. We've additionally adjusted our offer to the camps, guests can order groceries before leaving for their trip, in order to be that they will have arrived in their accommodation when they get there.

Guests of the camps in the area of ​​Labin and Porec use the delivery of ready-made local dishes from Valfresco cuisine. For some dishes, the delivery is done on the same day,'' concluded Dario Kinkela.

For more, follow our business section.

Some welcome news for vegan and gluten-free diners, as Restaurant Lucullus in Hvar Town announces a new menu with a difference on June 5, 2018. 

As the season is slowly coming to an end, TCN takes another look at TripAdvisor’s top 10 restaurants on the island of Hvar.