When the days get longer and hotter the offer of street food in Croatia increases in diversity, color and flavor. Yup, summer is the perfect time of year for these bite-sized goodies. There are so many reasons to opt for street food once on your holidays in Croatia. First of all, if you have a busy itinerary it gives you a chance to idly stroll the cobbled streets of small coastal towns dotting the Adriatic Coast and enjoy local foodie pleasures at the same time. It is also a very good introduction to local flavors and way of life. Not to mention that when sizzling summer temperatures reach their peak a fruit ice cream or a local soparnik is all you really need at an average 30º C.
Just like traditional Croatian food, street food along the Adriatic is diverse as well. You’ll find food which originates from the neighboring countries but has become a staple component of Croatian street food stalls: colorful fresh pizzas sold by slice, bruscettes or various types of grilled minced meat. However, soparnikfeatured on the picture above is a true Croatian dish. Dating back to medieval times it has continued its life to this day as a simple and healthy type of street food. Thin-crust pastry filled with Swiss chard, some olive oil and garlic – the simplest recipe ever for the best possible foodie experience. Soparnik originates from the region of Poljica so if you visit Omiš or Trogir Riviera be sure not to miss it!
Originally a Bosnian dish, ćevapi are probably the most common type of street food you stumble upon in Croatia. It’s minced beef and pork served in a special kind of flat bread called lepinja, served with onion and ajvar (red pepper spread). This street food is so popular it was even recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best street foods from around the world.
Burek is a word you’ll see flashing from every other corner. This delicious filo-pastry pie comes with a variety of filings, cottage cheese and mince meat being the most popular. You can find it in bakeries and various types of take away eateries. A little tip: burek is supposedly a great hangover food 🙂
In Croatia we call it topli sendvič which basically means ”warm sandwich” and the name says it all. The base is usually ham, prosciutto, chicken or tuna to which you add toppings and additions of your choice. It’s an example of simple fast food that turns into a real treat when served in stone oven bread with some fresh seasonal ingredients.
Local word for ice cream is sladoled. This street food needs no introduction, but let’s just say ice cream places along the Adriatic Coast have turned this perfect summer treat almost into something of an art form – at every other corner you’ll see little ”mountains” of silky colorful ice cream full of fresh fruit and other delicious additions.
Another sweet summer treat you’ll find along the Adriatic Coast is called – fritule. These traditional Dalmatian deep-fried dumplings are one of those simple desserts and are usually just sprinkled with some sugar, or poured with chocolate – for those with a serious sweet tooth. Besides them there are so called uštipci and krafne, also a type of deep fried pastry. We might say they are not only street food but ”beach food” as well. Namely, on many beaches you’ll see vendors selling homemade krafne – a perfect treat after a dip in the Adriatic 🙂