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Bevanda in Opatija

Best places To Eat Out in Croatia

admin  —  11:28 pm

Best places To Eat Out in Croatia

Croatian cuisine has many variants and every region has some specialties. The mainland Croatian cuisine has many things in common with the Austro-Hungarian cuisine and sometimes Turkish. At the Croatian coast are visible influences of ancient Illyrian cuisine, and later Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian and French cuisine.

Croatian continental cuisine is characterized by a more complex preparation and a number of more nutritious foods such as all kinds of meat, all kinds of vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy products and eggs. The cuisine of the Croatian Adriatic is primarily based on fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables and indispensable olive oil.

Preparing food is an integral part of the tradition and culture. People are usually dining three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), noting that the most important and most often the largest meal is lunch. In Croatia, people enjoy in the preparation of food and drink, and they pay big attention to it. Food is prepared slowly, portions are plentiful, usually consists of meat, vegetables and salads. Desserts and coffee are often an essential part of the ritual of eating and drinking. Any strong or pungent spices are used in minimal quantities in most of cases.


Each Croatian area has something original. From the island of Pag comes special cheese known as the cheese trademark of the island. The karst areas bring out the Dalmatian ham (prsut). In the Zagora (Dalmatian hinterland) dominate simple dishes like bread, pork and potato dishes. The mainland cuisine is characterized by stews usually made from sauerkraut, cabbage, meat and bacon. Forest areas are known for hearty venison.

Below is a short of list of some of the best places to eat out in Croatia:

Nautika in Dubrovnik

Near the centre of Dubrovnik, there is a restaurant Nautika (Nautica), one of the most attractive and most elite places to eat out in Croatia. The friendly staff offers the best seafood and other selected delicacies, on the terraces, with a breathtaking view of the sea and the fortresses Lovrijenac and Bokar that frame the view. In addition to top-quality service and relaxed atmosphere, you can expect a rich selection of selected domestic and foreign wines. The Nautica guests are especially happy to recommend dishes: Brodetto, Boiled Fillet of sea swallow and Adriatic Shrimps in Parsley Sauce.

Nautika in Dubrovnik

Nautika in Dubrovnik

Nada in Vrbnik, island of Krk

Nada in Vrbnik, island of Krk

Nada in Vrbnik, island of Krk

Restaurant Nada (Hope) was opened in 1974. In its beginnings was small, cozy inn, and over the years turned into a respectable restaurant known outside the Croatian borders. The restaurant is located in a century-old tavern that has in the past served as a family cellar for making and storing wine, and in 1990 opened its doors to visitors. The main feature of cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on seafood dishes. There you can taste widely known salad of seafood, legendary risotto with shrimp, monkfish in excellent sauce made with local wine or tasty local lamb.
The restaurant is located in the city center, next to the famous lookout point, which provides a beautiful view of the Crikvenica Riviera and the Velebit Channel.

Bevanda in Opatija

Bevanda is situated in the center of Opatija, surrounded by the sea and greenery Opatija Park, overlooking the entire Kvarner region, islands and mountains in the background. The tradition of superior hospitality begins back in 1971 when the restaurant was founded by Mr. Branko Bevanda.
Successful business and top quality service over the years have positioned restaurant in the top of Croatian gastronomy and the wider region. The restaurant is based primarily on food related to the sea so guests can enjoy a wide selection of fresh fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Professional, experienced and creative culinary staff certainly can successfully respond to guests with high demands in preparing creative, modern dishes with an emphasis on fresh, organic foodstuff of local origin.

Bevanda in Opatija

Bevanda in Opatija

Stari Puntijar in Zagreb

Along the main road from Zagreb to Medvednica Mountain there is a restaurant Stari Puntijar preserving the over 160-year-long family tradition. The hall of the restaurant is decorated with old paintings; old weapons, hunting trophies and old ceiling can accommodate 100 guests.
Equal importance was given to the preparation of each of the specialties of local cuisine and to the selection of some 100 types of wine. The restaurant has hosted many wine promotions and events. Part of restaurant menus make dishes from local dried sausage and bacon, greaves, cheeses, soups, many game dishes such as venison ham, roast wild duck and pheasant, venison medallions, grilled bear meat and other specialties made by old recipes.

Stari Puntijar in Zagreb

Stari Puntijar in Zagreb

Terasa in Daruvar

Restaurant Terasa (Terrace) is woven into the central part of Daruvar’s Julije’s Park. Guests of Daruvar Spa enjoy in an archaic charm and historical value of this property. The history of the restaurant dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. With a spacious dance floor and an outdoor terrace with garden furniture, makes it an attractive place for many special occasions. Among other dishes, guests can try traditional Slavonian and Czech specialties, from appetizers to desserts. From Slavonian dishes stand out: Slavonian steak, Vineyard chop, Daruvar platter, steak Terrace, steak Arcadia, while dishes of Czech national cuisine include: noodles with poppy seeds, plum dumplings, braised beef, pumped steamed dumplings, potato dishes. Guests are also offered to taste venison (deer, wild boar, roe deer) and fish (carp, catfish, perch, trout).

Terasa in Daruvar

Terasa in Daruvar

Plavi Podrum in Osijek

Restaurant Plavi Podrum (Blue cellar) is located in the heart of Slavonia, near the city of Osijek. It consists of a modern kitchen, bar with buffet, two air-conditioned rooms and a terrace where guests enjoy the view. Owner of restaurant Zlatko Ravlic received numerous awards for his professional and quality work. Part of the gastronomic variety of healthy and fresh food make foods from own production and supply of fresh meat (lamb, veal, beef, pork, suckling pig, etc.) from which they prepare numerous specialties of the rich Slavonian and healthy Dalmatian cuisine. The house specialty is lamb on the spit that made restaurant widely known across country, but guests can also taste the boiled lamb, baked or pickled lamb soup whose secret recipe owners kept for many years. There is also offer of veal, grilled meats and a whole range of ready meals. The range of delicacies is accompanied by more than 70 kinds of top quality and high-quality wines from wine-growing Croatian regions.

Plavi Podrum in Osijek

Plavi Podrum in Osijek

Best places To Eat Out in Croatia

In Croatia, Where To Eat
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Living the good life, on the cheap, in Negril, Jamaica

admin  —  7:07 am

Ready For Living the good life, on the cheap, in Negril, Jamaica

 

Negril, Jamaica is best know for its 7 mile beach, watching beautiful sunsets from the cliffs, and very expensive, all-inclusive resorts. When I decided to move to Jamaica for a few months I knew I’d be interested in seeing the beaches and sunsets. The all-inclusive resorts…not so much. I was after a different experience, one I could never get at an all-inclusive resort. I wanted to experience the real Jamaica. I wanted to live where the Jamaicans lived, eat where they ate, and drink where they drink. I couldn’t have been happier with that decision. I initially decided I wanted to spend a few months in Negril. By living like the locals do not only was I was able to stretch my budget, I was able to stretch my stay to a wonderful 6 months. I lived, ate, and drank very well, all at a fraction of the cost the other tourists were paying. If you’d like to live like a king in Negril, but have a paupers budget, here are a few tips to help you out.

charmanes (1)

 

  • Lodging

The quickest way to blow through your money in Negril is by staying on the beach or cliffs. A small room on the beach will set you back, at the very least, $50\night. Forget that nonsense. You can find a great place to stay in either downtown Negril, or in one of the many surrounding neighborhoods. In total I stayed in 4 different apartments while in Negril. I never once paid more than $10\night. These apartments are very easy to find, all you have to do is get off of hotel row and look around. Better yet, hop in a taxi and ask them where the cheapest place to stay is. I haven’t met a Jamaican taxi drive yet who wasn’t interested in helping a tourist out. Speaking of taxis…

 

  • Getting Around

Not understanding how the taxis work in Jamaica will cause you to spend way more money than you need to. I’ve heard tale of people paying $10 or even $20 USD for a ride from the beach to Rick’s Café on the cliffs. I was able to make the trip for $2 USD. “How?”, you ask. By taking advantage of the ridiculously cheap collective taxis (they’re the ones with the red license plates). By using this method, instead of relying on the shuttles and private drivers, I was able to get from the beach to Rick’s Café for $2 USD. Those not in the know were paying 5-10 times that amount.

 

Getting around Negril by taxi is a very simple affair. If you’re on the beach, and want to get somewhere else on the beach route, just wave a taxi down and tell him where you’re going. When he drops you off give him $1 USD. Couldn’t be easier. Same goes for the west-end; all pick-ups and drop-offs on the west-end route will cost you $1 USD no matter if you’re going a half a mile, or from downtown to Rick’s Café. If you plan on spending even a week in Negril, using the collective taxis is going to save you a ton of money.

 

  • Eating

Unless you want bland Americanized food, or want to go broke really quick, I suggest staying off the beach when you want to eat. Not only is the food much, much better downtown and on the west-end road, it’s also less than half the price of the food on the beach. The list of small, and delicious, cook shacks (small shacks set up by the locals that serve 1-3 dishes) located in Negril is too long to list here. Just ask any taxi drive where his favorite cook shack is and he’ll be more than happy to tell you. In addition to the cook shacks there are two restaurants in downtown Negril that I found myself at day after day; Bucks and Juici Patties.

bucks

Juici Patties sells, obviously, patties. If you’ve never had a Jamaican patty before you’re in for a treat.  They’re basically little pot pies filled with a variety of savory choices; beef, chicken, lobster, veggies, etc.  There are actually a few places in Negril to get a patty.  I’ll get much flak for saying this, but Juici Patties, just past the downtown roundabout, was definitely my favorite.  For less than $2 USD you get a piping hot, delectably flaky, patty filled with your favorite ingredients, and a box of juice.  I ate there almost every day, and I still craved it as soon as I rolled out of bed.  A great, and inexpensive, option for the budget traveler.

 

bucks_food

My other favorite restaurant was Buck’s. The food at Buck’s is about authentic as you’re going to get in Negril.  You’ll find brown stewed beef, curries, fried chicken, ackee and saltfish, rice and peas, and many other Jamaican staples.  All for around $4 USD for a huge plate of food (an absolutely horrible chicken sandwich on the beach is going to set you back $12-$15 USD).  Buck’s is a little hard to find on your own for the first time, so just ask any taxi driver to take you there. Once you try the food I can guarantee you will find yourself there again and again.

 

  • Drinking

Going out for a beer, especially on the beach, can be quite expensive. A great alternative to the over-priced beach bars is to find yourself a little locally owned shop. Charmane’s, my favorite, is a very small shop located just outside of downtown on the west-end road, directly across the street from the hardware store.  There are dozens of little shops like Charmane’s all over Negril.  The owners are all locals, and all work long hours for very little money.  If you’re going to be spending money on a beer please try to pick one of these locally owned and operated stores.  The prices are right, and you’re directly helping out the local economy.  That’s a win-win any way you look at it.  If you’re in the downtown area check out Charmane’s, order an ice cold beer, and just sit back and chill.  If you’re staying somewhere else in Negril, find one of these little shops next to you, and befriend the owner.  They’ll appreciate your business more than you know.  An ice cold Red Stripe at Charmane’s, or any of these shops, is going to cost you around $1.50 USD.  That’s about a quarter of the price you’re going to be paying at any of the hotel bars and the money goes where it’s needed most; right in the hands of the local population.

 

Living the good life in Negril doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. The money you’ll save by following the above tips can double, or even triple, your stay in paradise. Who wouldn’t want that?

 

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Cheap eats in Cahuita, Costa Rica

admin  —  11:57 pm

Cheap eats in Cahuita, Costa Rica

 

Cahuita is a pretty difficult place to visit for a budget traveler. The prices to eat and drink are about the same as in the states. Not exactly budget friendly. Cahuita can still be visited though by the budget traveler if they know the cheap places to eat and drink. My girlfriend, Natasha, and I spent a month in Cahuita and learned from the locals, the ex-pats, and through trial and error, the least expensive places to eat and drink. By following these tips it’s our hope that we can save our friends, the budget travelers, a few dollars on their stay in Cahuita.

Cahuita, Costa Rica

 

Most restaurants in Cahuita basically offer you the same fare for lunch and dinner; rice and peas with a small salad and your choice of protien (fish, chicken, or beef). This meal will set you back, almost no matter what restaurant you’re in $6-$7usd. That may not sound like much, but for 2 people traveling together, eating out a few nights a week, that can really add up. We had to find some alternatives if we wanted to stretch our travel budget. The following establishments were very helpful in doing just that.

 

Del Rita Patty

 

This little patty shop is, unfortunatly, only open on the weekends, which is a shame. The patties here are delicious and cheap. If you’re unfamiliar with Jamaican patties then you’re in for a treat stopping by here.  Jamaican patties are basically little pot pies filled with a variety of choices; beef, chicken, lobster, veggies, etc. Del Rita usually sold a couple of different patties; usually one sweet (banana or plantain), and one savory (mostly beef). They were perfectly saesoned and cooked, and only cost 500 colones ($1usd). One patty is more than enough for lunch, and usually for dinner if you’re a light\broke eater. The owner also sells a delicious loaf of banana bread for 1000 colones ($2) which is great to take home for breakfast in the morning. You can easily get 4 servings out of one banana bread. Whenever we saw her “Hay Patty” sign out on the main road we made sure to stop by for some cheap eats. Del Rita Patty can be found by walking from town center toward the park. Take a left on the last street (none of the streets in Cahuita have names) before you get to the park and the building is the first one on the right.

 

The Patty Guy

 

If you find yourself in the center of town, and see a guy on a bicycle with a cooler on the front of it flag him down (chances are someone else has beat you to it). He also sells patties in town, just as good as Del Rita, and also only charges a dollar. Don’t dilly-dally though if you see him. I watched him park outside of a bar one evening and sell out his entire stock of patties in less than 10 minutes. It’s always been my philosiphy while traveling that if I see a crowd of locals, gathered around a street food vendor, that I better get to that street vendor and find out what’s going on. I’ve never been disappointed, especially with the patty guy in Cahuita.

 

The French Bakery

 

A french bakery in Cahuita? That’s right. Not only do they do a decent job, but they’re dirt cheap. Unfortunatly, if you’re staying in town, it’s a bit of a hike to get there. Not too bad of a walk; about 15-20 minutes. To find it you’ll take the one road out of Cahuita to the main highway. Once you reach the highway you’ll take a right. The bakery is located almost immediately on your left, in between the bar and the “department” store. Here you’ll find all kinds of baked goods for your eating pleasures. We mostly stuck with the savory items (we’re budget travelers and don’t waste money on sweets). Here you can buy a small, pre-cooked, ham and mushroom pizza for 1500 colones ($3usd), or a delicious jerked chicken empanada for 750 colones ($1.50usd). Either of which is enough to fill you up. All of the savory foods are sold at room temperature so you have to either be ok eating it that way (which we most definitely are). If you want it hot you can either have them warm it up for you, or take it back to the hotel and throw it in the oven if you have one. This place is great if you’re trying to stretch your food budget. You can hardly cook for yourself at these prices.

 

Barahonas

 

I’m, admittedly, a fried chicken fanatic. I just can’t help it, I love the stuff. Imagine my delight in finding a group of locals queued up outside of a fried chicken place in Cahuita. I knew this was bad; not only my health, but my food budget. Turns out Barahonas was quite resonably priced (hence the line of locals). For between 600 and 2000 colones ($1.20-$4usd) you can get a piece of fried chicken and a pile of plantain chips. The wing was your cheapest option, at 600 colones, and was more than big enough to fill you up. The breast was the priciest piece of chicken, at 2000 colones, but was large enough to take half home for leftovers. Every piece of chicken I ate there, and trust me, there were many pieces of chicken eaten there that month, was delicious and perfectly cooked. Not to mention half the price of a sit down meal anywhere else in town. If you find youself at this gem make sure you get some of her homemade, and very spicy, pickeled veggies to go with your chicken.

Barahones

 

Cafe El Parquecito

 

This little restaurant sits right next to the small park in town (hence the name). This place is only open, I believe, for breakfast. Cafe El Parquecito most definitely has the cheapest breakfast in town, not to mention the best rice and peas I had in Cahuita. A typical breakfast of rice and peas with two fried eggs and toast will set you back around 1500 colones ($3usd). That’s about $1.50 cheaper than anywhere else in town.

 

Street Vendors

 

So many people have an aversion to eating “street meat”, and that’s a shame. Some of the best meals I’ve eaten in my travels have been from street vendors. The food is authentic, filling, and inexpensive. What else could a budget traveler want? On the weekends numerous street vendors set up at the park in Cahuita selling their wares. Most consist of some kind of a skewer of grilled meat and veggies. Each vendor is different, but most sell their skewers for between 500-1000 colones ($1-$2usd). A couple of skewers with tortillas is more than enough for dinner and will set you back a fraction of the cost as one of the restaurants in town.

 

Produce trucks

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen where you’re staying you’re going to want to check out the roving produce trucks in town. These trucks are the same ones that the stores and restaurants in town buy their produce from. You’ll be buying produce fresher, and cheaper, from these trucks than from any of the stores. I remember craving a fresh salad one day and buying up lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot and avocado from one of these trucks. I bought more than enough for 3 salads and only spent around 2000 colones ($4usd). Way cheaper than eating out, or even going to the store.

 

Free produce

 

What’s better than buying incredibly fresh and inexpensive produce off of one of the produce trucks? Picking it fresh from the trees around town for free (just make sure you don’t go onto anyones private property to do it). While staying in Cahuita I ate roughly by body weight in mangoes that I picked from the trees in and around town. In addition to the dozens of mangoes I was also able to find, growing wild; Jamaican apples, coconuts (delicious when kept in the fridge to drink later that night), limes, key limes, basil, ackee (be carefull with ackee, it’s poisonous if not ripe), and oranges. A wonderful bounty can be had, for free, for the adventurous budget traveler.

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