Traditional foods, drinks and craft not to miss! These things can be found just about anywhere in Croatia

Seafood! Fresh seafood is everywhere. Look for sea bass, John Dory, octopus, mussels and squad that come from right of the coast. Most often prepared simply with local olive oil.
Olive oil: You’ll find it everywhere. The olive oil from Istria consistently ranks among the world's best.Restaurants often serve it with fresh bread before meals, but it's worth tasting on its own.
Fritule Small Croatian doughnuts dusted with sugar. Sometimes flavoured with citrus, raisins or Rakija (see below)
Chestnut Desserts In October you’ll find chestnut cake, chestnut mousse, roasted chestnuts and chestnut ice cream!
Žlahtina The signature white wine of Krk Island. Light, crisp and mineral-driven. Excellent with seafood.
Malvazija Istarska Probably Croatia's most famous white wine. Fresh with notes of apple, citrus and almond. Wonderful with fish and truffles.
Teran The signature Istrian red. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Pairs beautifully with beef, game and truffles.
Rakija You'll often be offered a complimentary glass of this traditional spirit before or after a meal. Popular varieties include Medica (honey), Travarica (herb-infused), Biska (mistletoe) and Cherry
Handcrafted olive wood bowls, utensils and serving boards
Local olive oils from award-winning Istrian producers
Honey from the slopes of Mount Učka
Lavender soaps and cosmeticsHandmade ceramics
Small-batch jams made from figs, cherries or chestnuts
Handcrafted jewelry inspired by the Adriatic coast

Opatija:
Kvarner Scampi (Kvarnerski škamp) Often considered the finest scampi in the Adriatic, these sweet, delicate shellfish are harvested from the deep waters of Kvarner Bay. They're most commonly served grilled with olive oil and garlic, prepared "na buzaru" in a light white wine sauce, or simply raw as carpaccio.
Wild Asparagus (Šparoge) Spring is wild asparagus season, but many restaurants feature preserved or cultivated versions throughout the year. Look for risotto, homemade pasta and omelettes in the fall.
Chestnuts from Lovran (Lovranski Marun) Just south of Opatija, Lovran is famous for its unusually large, sweet chestnuts. In early October they're in season, making this one of the best times to visit. You'll find them roasted, in cakes, in desserts, and pureed into soups.
Truffles Although truffles are associated with inland Istria, nearly every quality restaurant around Opatija serves them.
Kremšnita Opatija's famous custard slice. Light pastry layered with vanilla custard and whipped cream. Nearly every café serves its own version.
To buy:
Truffle products (oils, salts and spreads)

Pašticada Often called the signature dish of Dalmatia, pašticada is a slow-braised beef dish that marinates for up to two days before being cooked in red wine, prošek (Dalmatian dessert wine), vegetables, herbs, prunes and spices. Traditionally served with homemade gnocchi, it was once reserved for weddings and special occasions but is now a staple of many traditional konobas.
Peka One of Croatia's most iconic meals, peka is less a recipe than a cooking method. Lamb, veal or octopus is slow-roasted beneath a cast-iron bell covered with hot embers, resulting in incredibly tender meat and vegetables infused with herbs, garlic and olive oil.
Soparnik Originating from nearby Poljica, this UNESCO-recognized heritage dish is a thin savoury pie filled with Swiss chard, onions, parsley and garlic, brushed generously with olive oil after baking. Simple yet deeply rooted in local history, it was traditionally prepared during religious holidays and family celebrations.
Black Risotto (Crni Rižot) Made with cuttlefish or squid, rice, garlic, white wine and cuttlefish ink, this dramatic jet-black risotto is a favourite throughout Dalmatia and a must for seafood lovers.
Seafood "Na Buzaru" Fresh mussels, scampi or shrimp gently simmered with white wine, garlic, parsley and olive oil. Served with crusty bread for soaking up the fragrant broth, it's one of the Adriatic's classic seafood dishes.
Dalmatian Pršut & Paški Sir Thinly sliced dry-cured Dalmatian ham served with the famous sheep's milk cheese from nearby Pag Island. This classic pairing makes an excellent appetizer or accompaniment to a glass of local wine.
Arancini Candied orange peel coated in sugar, a traditional Dalmatian sweet that's especially popular around the holidays but available year-round.
Plavac Mali Dalmatia's signature red wine, producing rich, full-bodied wines with notes of dark berries, herbs and spice. It's an excellent match for grilled meats, pašticada and peka.
Pošip A crisp, aromatic white wine indigenous to Dalmatia, offering citrus, stone fruit and mineral notes. It pairs beautifully with grilled fish and seafood.
Crljenak Kaštelanski Wine enthusiasts may recognize this grape as the original Croatian ancestor of Zinfandel. Native to the nearby Kaštela region, it's a fascinating wine to sample while visiting Split
To buy:
Brač stone carvings and jewelry crafted from the same brilliant white limestone used in Diocletian's Palace.
Locally produced Plavac Mali or Pošip wines.
Small-batch rakija.

Dubrovnik:
Zelena Menestra (Dubrovnik Green Stew) One of Dubrovnik's signature dishes, this hearty winter stew combines smoked meats with cabbage, kale and potatoes. It originated in the Konavle region just south of Dubrovnik and has long been served during celebrations and family gatherings. Keep an eye out for it in restaurants though!
Oysters from Mali Ston Less than an hour north of Dubrovnik lies Mali Ston, famous for producing some of Europe's finest oysters. Served raw with a squeeze of lemon or lightly grilled, they're considered one of Croatia's greatest culinary treasures.
Brodet (Brodetto) A traditional fisherman's stew made with several varieties of fish simmered in tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs and wine, then served over creamy polenta.
Rozata Dubrovnik's famous custard dessert resembles crème caramel but is delicately scented with rozalin, a locally produced rose liqueur that gives the dessert its distinctive floral aroma. It's one of the city's most iconic sweets.
Šporki Makaruli Literally translating to "dirty macaroni," this Dubrovnik specialty features homemade pasta tossed with a rich, slow-cooked beef ragù. Traditionally served during the Feast of St. Blaise, it's now available year-round at many traditional restaurants.
Dingač Produced on the nearby Pelješac Peninsula, Dingač is Croatia's most celebrated red wine. Made from Plavac Mali grapes, it is rich, bold and pairs beautifully with grilled meats and slow-cooked dishes.
Pošip Originally from nearby Korčula Island, this crisp white wine offers notes of citrus, peach and Mediterranean herbs and is an excellent match for seafood.
Dubrovačka Malvasija A rare white wine native to the Dubrovnik region that nearly disappeared before being revived in recent decades. Floral, aromatic and elegant, it's well worth seeking out while visiting the city.
Lozovača (grape brandy)
Orahovica (walnut liqueur)
Rozalin (rose liqueur), the distinctive ingredient that flavors Dubrovnik's famous rozata dessert.
To buy:
Konavle embroidery, featuring intricate hand-stitched traditional patterns unique to the surrounding countryside.
Filigree jewelry, crafted from delicate gold or silver wire using techniques dating back centuries.
Red coral jewelry, traditionally harvested from the Adriatic and long associated with Dubrovnik's maritime heritage.

Štrukli No dish is more closely associated with Zagreb than štrukli, a comforting pastry made with delicate layers of dough filled with fresh cottage cheese and sour cream. It can be served baked until golden and bubbling or gently boiled, and appears on nearly every traditional menu in the city. Originally from the nearby Zagorje region, it's considered Croatia's ultimate comfort food
Zagreb Steak (Zagrebački Odrezak) This classic Zagreb specialty consists of a thin veal or pork cutlet stuffed with ham and melted cheese, breaded and pan-fried until crisp and golden. Similar to a Cordon Bleu, it has become one of the capital's signature dishes and is often served with roasted potatoes or seasonal vegetables.
Purica s Mlincima A favourite Sunday lunch throughout northern Croatia, this traditional dish pairs roasted turkey with mlinci, a unique baked flatbread that's softened with roasting juices until tender. Rich, comforting and deeply rooted in local family traditions, it's a wonderful introduction to continental Croatian cuisine.
Kulen & Local Cured Meats Many Zagreb restaurants begin a meal with a platter of regional cured meats and cheeses. Look for Kulen, Croatia's famous paprika-spiced sausage, smoked ham, local salamis, fresh farmer's cheeses, and pickled vegetables
Mushroom Dishes Autumn is mushroom season in northern Croatia, and October menus often showcase wild porcini, chanterelles and other forest mushrooms in soups, risottos and sauces.
Paprenjaci These distinctive traditional cookies combine honey, walnuts and warming spices, including black pepper, creating a uniquely Croatian sweet with a history dating back centuries.
Orehnjača & Makovnjača Traditional rolled pastries filled with walnuts (orehnjača) or poppy seeds (makovnjača), commonly enjoyed with coffee or as a dessert.
Graševina Croatia's most widely planted white grape, producing crisp, refreshing wines with notes of green apple, citrus and white flowers. It's an excellent companion to traditional northern Croatian cuisine.
Plešivica Sparkling Wine Just thirty minutes from Zagreb, the Plešivica wine region has become Croatia's premier destination for traditional-method sparkling wines, often compared to those of Champagne.
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Plešivica's cooler climate also produces outstanding Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, making these wines well worth seeking out while in Zagreb.
To buy:
Licitar Hearts – Brightly decorated gingerbread hearts that have symbolized love and friendship for centuries. Recognized by UNESCO, they are one of Croatia's most iconic souvenirs.
The Croatian Cravat – The necktie originated in Croatia during the 17th century, and elegant silk cravats make a uniquely Croatian keepsake.
Handmade ceramics by local artisans.
Traditional wooden toys from Hrvatsko Zagorje, another UNESCO-recognized Croatian craft.