Prepare your taste buds for some of the best Croatian, European and other international cuisine that Novalja has to offer. Being a tourist hotspot, you can expect to find your fair share of nice restaurants, but there’s also a number of poorly rated Novalja restaurants. We assembled the best of the best based on our own experience and reviews to ensure that you leave town feeling satisfied.
Read on for the top Novalja restaurants and plan your evening out with us!
Restaurant name: La Tortilla
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4/5
This photo of La Tortilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of La Tortilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
We were very impressed with La Tortilla. Not only were we surprised to find an authentic looking Mexican restaurant right in the middle of this small Croatian town, we were blown away by how good it actually was! Head here on an evening for an energetic atmosphere before your night out. The décor is cool, the vibe is upbeat and the best thing about this place is the food!
Indulge with quesadilla’s, burrito’s, fajita’s, steak sizzlers and other Mexican classics – the flavours are delicious and the portions are literally huge! We’re serious here. Order one meal to share if you’re going for the fajitas or any meal over 100 Kuna. There’s enough to go around and we recommend ordering multiple sides and a dish to share between two. Accompany your food with a Corona and you’ll have a great start to your evening!
Restaurant name: Momento Grill Pizza House
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4.5
This photo of Momento Grill Pizza House is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Momento Grill Pizza House is courtesy of TripAdvisor
If you’d like to eat by the marina promenade with a nice view of the boats arriving back at sunset, Momento Grill Pizza House is the place to go. In addition to the picturesque views from the outdoor tables, you have a very affordable and diverse menu of pizza’s, seafood and grill options. The staff are friendly, food is great value for money and the pizza is some of the best you’ll find in town; it’s definitely the dish that we’d recommend.
The reviews rate Momento as one of the top restaurants in Novalja, and whilst the food isn’t outstanding compared to a few other restaurants on our list, it’s perfectly satisfying and will suit all types of visitors and budgets. We recommend visiting for lunch after spending time on the nearby beach or for a sunset dinner.
Restaurant name: Restaurant Boskinac
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4.5/5
This photo of Restaurant Boskinac is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Restaurant Boskinac is courtesy of TripAdvisor
For an amazing special occasion dinner and ambience that you won’t find anywhere else in town, take a 10-minute drive from the town centre to Hotel Boskinac. This elegant country hotel has its own vineyard, swimming pool and stunning views of the countryside surroundings. It’s currently the top-rated restaurant and hotel in Novalja on TripAdvisor, eluding to how well-liked this place is.
Food is beautifully presented in a fine dining style and the menu is varied. Go all-out with the full 3-course meal with wine and we’re sure you’ll be impressed! Prices are on the expensive side for Novalja, however that’s expected in the type of restaurant that Boskinac is, and the stunning environment where you’ll eat. Save it for a special occasion or to celebrate an end to an amazing holiday.
Restaurant name: Starac I More
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4/5
This photo of Starac i more is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Starac i more is courtesy of TripAdvisor
For traditional Croatian food of the highest standard, accompanied by European favourites and plenty of seafood, Starac I More is a contender for the best Croatian-cuisine restaurant in Novalja. Prices are slightly higher than surrounding restaurants, however you can expect higher standards of food and a traditional setting to enjoy your evening meal. The restaurant interior has stone walls, wooden tables and sets a unique atmosphere for dinner.
Food-wise, the go-to menu choice is seafood, and there’s lot of it! Go all-out with a hearty seafood platter, satisfy your appetite with the prawn risotto or opt for a meatier dish such as steak or lamb. Starac I More is ideal for seafood lovers looking for fresh fish fillets and shellfish in a traditional Croatian restaurant.
Restaurant name: Burger & Co
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4/5
One thing we’ve learned about burgers in Croatia is that they’re very hit or miss. It’s a risky move to rock up to a takeaway or generic looking restaurant and expect to find a good quality burger, so you have to do your research! If you fancy a juicy burger whilst in Novalja, Burger & Co is the place to go. The meat quality is very good and portions are a decent size too. Accompany your burger with potato wedges, a baked potato or fries and you have a filling meal that will leave you satisfied.
The restaurant also has ribs, chicken wings and meat combo’s on offer, but we can only testify to the excellent taste of the burgers. In addition to the tasty food, Burger & Co has a trendy outdoor area with a view of the main bar street and the low-light surroundings set the mood for a fun evening out.
Restaurant name: Restaurant Shark
View map location | TripAdvisor Reviews 4.5/5
This photo of Restaurant Shark is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Restaurant Shark is courtesy of TripAdvisor
For finely presented dishes in a secluded location by the beach, take a taxi (or Uber) up the hill to the other side of Novalja and down to Planjka Trinćel beach. The small and trendy Shark Restaurant sits by the beachfront with both indoor and outdoor seating, and a bright and airy décor. It’s an idyllic place to enjoy brunch or breakfast outdoors whilst visiting for a beach day, or you can head on down on an evening for a romantic dinner under the stars.
Food is a little more expensive that you’d find in other nearby restaurants, however the fine presentation and ambience makes it well worth it, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion. Feast on seafood risotto’s, meaty steaks or flavoursome pasta and drink Croatian wine to your heart’s content. Come for the beautiful views and tasty food but stay for the welcoming atmosphere and attentive service.
Restaurant name: La Paloma
View map location | Website | TripAdvisor Reviews 4/5
This photo of La Paloma is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of La Paloma is courtesy of TripAdvisor
If you’re not sure what kind of food you fancy or you’re travelling with a group, La Paloma is the obvious choice for a great place to eat. Best for lunch but also a nice casual spot for dinner, the menu here is diverse and you’ll find everything from pasta’s and pizza’s to club sandwiches, burgers and salads. They also have some nice fish dishes if you want something a little fancier, but make sure to leave some food for dessert. Desserts don’t seem to be a big thing in Croatia but they sure are at La Paloma!
The restaurant is located on a side street a few minutes’ walk from the marina so you won’t have to travel far to satisfy your appetite. Prices are also very affordable, with most meals costing less than 80 Kuna (~11 euros). With the casual setting, affordable food and variety of dishes, you may even find yourself visiting more than once!
That concludes our list of the best restaurants that Novalja has to offer. The variety of cuisines and styles of restaurants are very different depending on the place you choose and we’ve included options for all budgets. Expect to pay around 80 – 100 Kuna per person for a main meal with a drink in most Novalja restaurants, with steak and fish dishes costing slightly more. Being a small harbour town, fish is super-fresh and we highly recommend this option if you love seafood! If you have any suggestions for our list or feedback on the Novalja restaurants we mentioned, get in touch!
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