Nova restaurant, ex. restaurant Euphoria and ex. Šumica, is located on Put Firula in Split, just steps away from Bačvice beach. Nova, the successor, has hopes to prepare traditional Dalmatian dishes with a modern twist.

Having opened a little over a week ago, Artičok is a brand new restaurant and fusion food concept in the center of Split.

Chang Asian Food & Noodle Bar, new to Bačvice beach. What sounds like a dream too good to be true is a definite reality, and this new Thai and Vietnamese influenced restaurant opened its doors to Asian food craving patrons just a week ago.

Zinfandel: a grape made famous by Californian vineyards, a grape whose origins are found in the city of Split, Croatia, and a restaurant so good you would be crazy not to eat there.

On the June 23 at 19.30h, an open air dinner and show program of Filmology, Life is a Movie! will be held in restaurant Re Di Mare in Split.

One of the finest cuts of meat in the world, Wagyu beef comes from 100% full-blood Japanese Black Cattle, raised and fed in the Gunma Prefecture in Japan. These cattle are fed by farmers that take care of a very limited number of cows, giving each one special attention from a special diet to relaxation techniques. Each cow actually comes with its own passport, giving specific details on how it was raised. One of the greatest delicacies in the world, Wagyu beef makes for one of the richest and juiciest steaks you’ve been lucky enough to taste.

Say you’ve been in Split for more than a few days and you’re feeling like all the grilled fish, seafood pastas and mixed grills are getting tiring (remember, this is OKAY to experience). The emergence of Split as a top tourist destination over the years has surely paved the way for new ideas and diversified cuisines. The most prominent cuisine in Split today that is not of Croatian or Dalmatian descent is Asian. Five years ago it was hard to find a single restaurant that wasn’t Croatian, but now we have some top competitors to help fill your Asian food cravings.

A massive winner for Spličani over the last couple of years is the newly opened Adriatic Oyster and Sushi Bar. With fresh fish and oysters straight from the Adriatic, you would think the concept of sushi in Split would have been done ages ago! Their menu boasts nigiri, maki, specialty rolls, teriyaki and sashimi. But don’t worry, for those of you that don’t fancy sushi like the rest of us do, Adriatic Sushi also has a selection of Croatian cheeses and grilled meat dishes for you to choose from. An extensive wine list and a fairly priced menu has put Adriatic Sushi as a frontrunner going into this summer’s season. Located conveniently in the center on Carrarina poljana 4, you won’t want to miss out on this one! Pro tip: the tuna tartar is a must!

Having opened nearly 3 years ago on Ban Jelacic 1, Samurai is the first true Japanese restaurant in Split. After visiting Split for over a period of 6 years, owner Okamoto decided it was time to bring his cuisine to the people of Split. A diversified menu filled with everything from yakisoba to ramen noodle soup, fried squid tempura bowls and beef curry, Samurai has kept the cuisine traditional and tasty. Okamoto is also passionate about bringing healthy, low-calorie food to your plate, and it is always prepared with love and a little bit of art.

Biser Orijenta is the only true Chinese restaurant in Split. Located on the top floor of an office building on Bihaćka 2, Biser Orijenta has an outside terrace with a stunning view overlooking Split, and traditional Chinese decor inside. The menu has tie-pan specialties, as well as stir-fried noodles, fried rice, eggs rolls and a bundle of meat dishes. Very reasonably priced, you’ll often see Spličani fill the restaurant on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Bota Šare is another sushi place on the list, and with a menu similar to Adriatic Sushi, this restaurant is definitely heavier on the seafood and has some unique menu items you can’t really get anywhere else in Split. For instance, their Stonski Risot is taken directly from the recipes used in Mali Ston, an area located about 45 north of Dubrovnik. With sushi items such as tempura, maki, nigiri, rolls and sashimi, Bota Šare is another stellar restaurant to feed your sushi needs. Bota Šare is located at Morpurgova poljana.

Lastly, don’t forget about the Wok Bar located on Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 25, right off the riva! This is a perfect place for walk ins or a quick bite before hitting the town.

Due to various other projects like Total Hvar and Total Croatia News, I have not spent much time in Split this summer, which is a shame as it is a city I am coming to appreciate more and more since I started this website. I had a very productive day yesterday, however, filled with meetings, but also with the opportunity to wander through the centre, picking up the vibe of the city.

I was amazed at how much change there had been in such a short space of time. The palace is such a vibrant place, with so many businesses functioning. New ideas, new concepts, some which last, many which don't, it really is hard to keep up with all the change and new businesses opening in the centre.  

I walked past Zinfandel, which was enjoying a typically brisk lunchtime trade, and I smiled as a looked inside and nodded to the waiter inside. Despite its relatively short life, Zinfandel has managed to become one of the most popular and most established hangouts in the centre, offering a mix of Dalmatian tradition and a modern twist with great customer service and an excellent wine list. For many, it is the first introduction to the world of Croatian wine, and the knowledgeable staff do a great job in educating tourists and new arrivals.  

As I walked on, I remembered that Zinfandel did not exist when we started Total Split (which itself is less than three years old), and Mila enthusiastically blogged about the latest addition to the Split gourmet scene in May 2013.  But it really felt part of the furniture despite its youth. As other establishments opened later and shut later, Zinfandel quietly set about its business, becoming a popular local expat hangout and the most frequent location for the Expats in Split gatherings. 

Faithful to the wine roots of the region from its iconic Zinfandel name to the excellent range of local wines on offer, the wine bar/restaurant has never been afraid to experiment with Dalmatian cuisine and a modern twist, and the results from a combination of fresh organic ingredients from the Zinfandel garden, combined with some exciting modern creations from the kitchen has ensured that Zinfandel has always been an exciting place to eat, and its quality is reflected in the fact that it stands proud in the current top ten on TripAdvisor's best restaurants in Split. No mean feat in such a competitive market.  

The season is still busy in mid-September, but soon thoughts will turn to winter and many restaurants in the centre will close for a few months. Not Zinfandel. Walking through the palace late at night last December, it was one of the few places open on a dark and wet evening before Christmas.

And so it will be this year too, continuing its innovative menu and great wine selection. Added to that of course has been the regular live music, something which will continue into the winter months.  

And perhaps there was the answer to my question as to why Zinfandel is part of the furniture - it is one of the few restaurants in the centre which is open all year, and which puts plenty of energy into events and keeping the quieter winter months more alive.

A worthy addition to the Split gastro scene, and one which will be around for many years to come. Follow Zinfandel on Facebook.