Top 10 Croatian Seafood Dishes

Published in

Heritage Digest

7 min readMar 14, 2023

Croatia, a stunning destination, is renowned for its breathtaking views, unique culture, and exquisite seafood dishes. From succulent Škampi Buzara to decadent Gregada made with the Mediterranean’s finest fish — Croatia has something to offer every seafood-lover!

Here are my 10 top Croatian seafood dishes that your taste buds just won’t be able to resist.

1. Šaran u Rašljama

Šaran u Rašljama is a rare delicacy hailing from Baranja, Croatia. Featuring an impressively-sized carp placed on a divining rod and slow-cooked over a wood fire for that delicious smoky flavor — this dish has an aroma unlike any other!

Just before your carp is cooked to perfection, lightly salt it and spice it up with aromatic red paprika. Enjoy this meal by accompanying the fish with freshly-chopped spring onions, a side of creamy potato salad, plus some chilled white wine — now that’s what I call feasting in style!

2. Salata Od Hobotnice

Salata Od Hobotnice is a beloved Croatian delicacy with origins in the sun-drenched Dalmatian Coast. This salad, made of octopus and an abundant array of Mediterranean herbs and flavors, has become synonymous with celebrating special occasions — perfect for Christmas Eve feasts or summer barbecues!

This tantalizing dish is prepared by cooking small pieces octupus, and then mixing in other ingredients like chopped onions, garlic cloves, olive oil, parsley, vinegar, and potatoes. Pssst… wanna know the cooking secret? Throw in a few wine corks while cooking to ensure that your sea delicacy won’t be overpowered by bitter notes.

Serve well chilled with capers, olives, or lemon juice for an extra zing of flavor. Add a side of fresh bread to soak up all those sumptuous juices — Salata Od Hobotnice will add flair to any celebration!

3. Fiš Paprikaš

Fiš Paprikaš — an open-fire delicacy of Central and Eastern Europe! This spicy fish stew is cooked to perfection in a bubbling cauldron, perfect for gatherings on crisp autumn days. Tuck into this scrumptious dish made with all the fragrant flavors of freshwater delights such as catfish, starlet, pike, and carp.

This savory stew packs some serious heat thanks to its robust blend of powerful red paprika — ranging from mild to very hot! This dish is so popular there are regular Fiš cooking competitions dedicated solely to perfecting this delectable dish.

4. Hobotnica Ispod Peke

Enjoy the tantalizing flavors of Dalmatia with Hobotnica Ispod Peke! This traditional delicacy is prepared by slowly simmering fresh octopus under a bell-like lid known as peka. Aromatic herbs and spices like garlic, lemon, bay leaves, mint, chili, and black pepper boost this dish’s unique taste.

The addition of potatoes, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers creates a tasty medley of flavors. A splash of olive oil keeps the octopus succulent while red or white wine adds just enough kick to make sure it’s cooked perfectly — it is truly worthy of every foodie’s bucket list!

5. Crni Rižot

Forget boring white risotto — step into the murky depths of Croatian cuisine with “Crni Rižot”, a unique black seafood-laced delicacy! Rich in flavor thanks to fresh squid or cuttlefish, and other shellfish like mussels and clams, it’s no wonder this dish is popular at Dalmatian taverns for those looking for an unforgettable light lunch.

Indulge in this mysterious Croatian delicacy that has captivating origins shrouded beneath centuries, although it is believed to have originated when the country of Croatia was under Venetian rule.

Enjoy this one-of-a-kind gourmet meal but watch out — your smile will turn black from all that flavorful goodness!

6. Brudet

From the bustling streets of Zagreb to quaint fishing villages, Brudet is king! This classic Croatian dish packs a punch with its unique blend of seafood ingredients — no two recipes are ever quite alike. A delight for foodies from coast to coast, this rustic stew warms the hearts and fills bellies all across Croatia’s beautiful landscape.

For an unforgettable Brudet, break out the seafood! Mix ‘n match at least three different fish like scorpionfish, sea bass, monkfish, or any other white fish to get a flavorful blend. Add in some mussels or scampi for that extra oomph of flavor — if you want to make your dish stand out from the rest!

7. Dagnje Na Buzaru

Nothing quite says Croatia like a steaming pot of Dagnje Na Buzaru! This traditional seafood dish is packed with flavor — the mussels are scrubbed clean, lightly heated until they open their shells, and mixed with garlic, parsley, olive oil, and pepper.

During the last few moments of simmering, white wine is added to make this traditional Croatian dish unforgettable. Breadcrumbs sprinkled on top provide richness and texture, and it is best enjoyed with warm hunks of crusty bread for sopping up all that delicious seafood broth!

8. Slane Srdele

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with Slane Srdele! This traditional Croatian treat is a summertime staple, crafted from fresh sardines and coarse sea salt. Think of it as sushi for the salty-seafood lover, prepared by layering fish between layers of coarse salt — first one way then alternating in direction under each layer of salt — all packed into an old barrel or box.

With the final layer of salt, the sardines are sealed with wooden covers and weights to preserve their flavor. During the three months spent tucked away in dark corners at low temperatures, these tasty fish release water and fat for an increased depth of taste.

9. Škampi Buzara

Kvarner Bay is famous for its delicious scampi — with shells so thin and meat so juicy, they can be made into a variety of mouthwatering dishes! Enjoy boiled or grilled scampi with a sauce or marinade. Or try Istrian-style dry-cured ham wrapped around the scampi before roasting it on a skewer over an open flame.

The ultimate dish? Na buzaru: cooked up with white wine, garlic, parsley, tomatoes, and breadcrumbs! Get ready to roll up your sleeves — this messy but scrumptious experience calls for you to dig right in using your hands!

10. Gregada

Sinfully delicious and practically timeless, Gregada is sure to have every Dalmatian fisherman’s mouth watering. This popular Croatian dish has a well-established history among the islands of Hvar and Central Dalmatia, but nowadays its flavor can be savored all along the Adriatic coast!

All you need is a few simple ingredients — fresh white fish, potatoes, celery, parsley, and garlic. If you really want to wow your guests, try whipping up an extra-special Gregada with adventurous additions of capers and salted anchovies for a flavor that packs a punch!

In Croatia, Gregada is typically made with some of the Mediterranean’s finest fish — conger, grouper, or monkfish. But feel free to use whatever white fish you have on hand to create this delicious Croatian dish!

Wrapping It Up

The Croatian culinary experience is truly unique and there are many delicious seafood dishes you can try if you visit this beautiful country. From the fresh, salty flavors of Slane Srdele and Dagnje Na Buzaru to the heartier fare of Gregada and Škampi Buzara, each dish has its own special regional twist that will tantalize your taste buds and bring a bit of Croatian culture to your table.