Restaurants in Crikvenica and Selce **Updated for summer 2019**
**For ideas on what to order at a restaurant in Croatia, check out our dining video on my Youtube travel channel: “Croatian Food: Out to Dinner with Jen and Miloš“
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Considering the number of reviews we’ve written on our dining experiences in Croatia, I thought it was about time that I posted a blog entry just on some of the dining options in Miloš’ hometown of Crikvenica. (Remember how to say it? “Tsreek-VEN-eet-sah.”)
Crikvenica is our home in Croatia.
Located along the northern coastal area of the country, about 25 minutes south of Rijeka, Crikvenica is a popular summer tourist area on the Adriatic, with beaches and beautiful coves stretching for miles.
This area of Croatia is well known for olive oils, truffles, cheese, and prosciutto. Home cooking is alive and well, and that tradition is carried over into many of the area’s restaurants.
Many restaurants in Crikvenica are seasonal, and only some are open year-round.
RESTAURANTS….
Burin
One of our favorite restaurants in Crikvenica, Burin has never disappointed us. We’ve eaten here many times over the years, and each time we’ve loved it. The owner is helpful and really cares about his customers. Some of our favorite dishes include the home-made scampi pasta (made with pljukanci pasta), the steak Paris (with a sauce that is to DIE for), the fried calamari, and anything made with truffle sauce. The beef soup here is fantastic. Think traditional home-made clear beef noodle soup, just like grandmom’s. I also recommend the dessert palacinka with ice cream and berries with vanilla sauce. Always impeccable service, and a nice comfortable atmosphere. It is also one of the few restaurants that stays open year round, and they even have special wine nights during the winter months.
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Restaurant Domino
We’ve enjoyed ALL our meals here – anything from pastas to meats to seafood. They have great soups as well, including scampi soup. On one of my visits, I had turkey medallions with orange sauce, which was SO good. Miloš loved his steak with truffle sauce. But my absolute favorite dish is Buzara Domino – various shells and scampi in a white wine garlic butter sauce. You also can’t go wrong with their scampi pasta. We’ve always had great service here, and the restaurant has a nice ambiance. They are also open in the winter season.
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Dida
An absolute treasure by the sea! Open-air terrace overlooking the Adriatic, as well as indoor seating. Gourmet dining and top-of-the-line service. Some of the menu items change with the season, so you can easily try new things depending on when you go. We’ve had some excellent soups here, and our favorite entree currently is the Roman Gnocchi – which is a polenta type cake served with scampi meat and a truffle sauce. Every course is served with various local olive oils and fresh bread. Another bonus, is that this restaurant is open year-round! Prices here are higher than the other restaurants in town, but you get what you pay for!
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Balustrada
For years, this has been one of our favorite places to go for cocktails, but this season, they’ve added meals and tapas. Everything is home-made with the utmost care and attention. Wonderful tasting menus that change daily; made only with the freshest ingredients. And while you’re dining, you can enjoy the best cocktails in town!
Dinner is served after 7pm.
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Riva
Nestled along the marina of Selce, this little restaurant serves up great food and excellent service! They have a real wood grill, which imparts a delicious flavor to your grilled foods. The fried calamari was perfectly cooked with a light fluffy batter. The blitva (swiss chard with potatoes) was not too salty and was rich in flavor. Service is quick and friendly. Plus, you just can’t beat the location!