How to Order Food in Croatian

Croatia… A country famous for its beautiful coastline, premium olive oil, and rich culinary traditions inspired both from the Mediterranean and Central European cuisines. Whether you’re intrigued by the idea of trying hobotnica ispod peke ("octopus under a bell") or enjoying a fresh slice of homemade bread, Croatian cuisine offers a diverse range of flavors to savor. From the simple yet flavorful blitva s krumpirom ("Swiss chard with potatoes") to the hearty pašticada, Croatian food is a true reflection of the country's culture and history.

Croatians take great pride in their food and hospitality. The love for food is deeply rooted in their everyday life, with each region offering something unique.

So, if you’re learning Croatian, at some point, you'll want to learn how to order food and explore the local cuisine.

In this article, we’ll cover how to order food in Croatian and teach you the essential food-related vocabulary to help you experience the delicious flavors of Croatia.

Eating in Croatia

Breakfast in Croatia (Doručak)

In Croatia, breakfast (doručak) is typically a light and simple meal. While it’s not as elaborate as other meals of the day, it’s an important part of the morning routine. Many Croatians enjoy bread with butter and jam, or perhaps some kolač (cake) or sir (cheese). A cup of coffee is a must, often accompanied by a small čaj (tea) or sok (juice), especially orange juice.

If you’re ordering breakfast at a café or restaurant, the waiter might ask:

Što želite za doručak? (What would you like for breakfast?)

You can reply with:

Danas ću za doručak… (Today, I’ll have…)
Za piće ću uzeti… (For a drink, I’ll have…)

Many people also enjoy burek (a savory pastry filled with meat or cheese) as a quick breakfast, especially in the mornings.

Lunch in Croatia (Ručak)

Lunch (ručak) is the main meal of the day for most Croatians, typically eaten between 12:00 and 14:00. It’s often a large and hearty meal, often featuring a soup or salad as a starter, followed by a meat dish with potatoes or vegetables. You’ll find popular dishes like ćevapi (grilled minced meat), sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), and pečenje (roast meat).

Lunch may also include a side of fresh bread and ajvar (pepper spread). It’s common to enjoy a glass of wine, especially with family or friends.

Dinner in Croatia (Večera)

Dinner (večera) in Croatia is typically lighter than lunch, and may consist of a smaller portion of a main dish or even just a soup or salad. A common dinner choice might include grilled fish, štrukli (cheese-filled pastry), or a plate of fresh vegetables with pršut (prosciutto).

Much like lunch, dinner may also start with an aperitiv, like rakija (a strong fruit brandy) or wine, and end with a digestiv such as travarica (herbal brandy) to aid digestion.

Croatian meals emphasize fresh, local ingredients, and dining is often a long, social occasion. Whether it's a casual breakfast or a festive dinner, food is a vital part of daily life in Croatia!

How to Select a Restaurant in Croatia

Whether you’re craving a full meal or just a light snack, Croatia offers plenty of options to satisfy your hunger:

Restoran – For a full, formal meal with a wide selection of dishes.
Konoba – A traditional, casual place offering hearty, local meals.
Bistro – A cozy spot for comfort food and quick bites.
Caffe bar – Enjoy coffee, tea, snacks, and light meals.
Pizzeria – The go-to place for pizza and Italian-inspired meals.
Wine bar – Ideal for sipping on local wines and enjoying small plates.

We recommend you to use Google Maps to check which restaurants are available in the area you're in and how are the reviews/ratings.

As tourism is growing in Croatia, the vast majority of restaurants are offering English menus and staff is used to serving foreign guests.

Feel free to check our article about what languages are spoken in Croatia to see which languages are more widely spoken in Croatia.

How to Make a Reservation in Croatian

If you want to make a reservation in advance, you can either call the restaurant or ask in person with one of the following phrases:

Želio/željela bih rezervirati stol za tri osobe. (I would like to reserve a table for three.)
Imate li mjesta za ____ osobe, molim vas? (Do you have room for ____ people, please?)
Biste li mogli pripremiti stol za dvoje/troje/četvero? (Could you prepare a table for two/three/four?)
Volio/voljela bih sjediti vani. (I would prefer to sit outside.)
Volio/voljela bih sjediti unutra. (I would prefer to sit inside.)

How to Order in Croatian

Ordering food in Croatian is similar to ordering in English. Here’s how you can do it:

Želio/željela bih + food name + molim vas. (I would like (food name), please.)

Example: Želio bih juhu od bundeve, molim vas. (I would like a pumpkin soup, please.)

Here are some additional useful phrases for ordering food:

Možete li mi donijeti meni, molim vas? (Could I have the menu, please?)
Imate li meni na engleskom jeziku? (Do you have a menu in English?)
Ja ću uzeti… (I’ll have…)
Za početak… (To start with…)
Za mene… (For me…)
Spremni smo za narudžbu. (We are ready to order.)
Oprostite, molim vas! (Excuse me, please!)
Što preporučujete? (What do you recommend?)
Što je jelo dana? (What is the dish of the day?)
Možemo li dobiti još malo vremena? (Can we have a little more time?)
Što točno sadrži…? (What exactly does ... contain?)
Je li ovo posluženo s… (salatom)? (Is this served with ... (salad)?)
Ima li u tome… (plodova mora)? (Does this have any ... (seafood) in it?)

If You Need to Address an Issue with Your Order:

Oprostite, ali ovo nisam naručio/la. (Excuse me, but I didn’t order this.)
Oprostite, ali ovo je hladno. (I’m sorry, but this is cold.)
Mogu li promijeniti narudžbu, molim vas? (Can I change my order, please?)

How to Talk about Dietary Restrictions in Croatian

If you have a dietary restriction or food allergies, you can let the waiter know with the following phrases:

Ja sam vegetarijanac (I’m a vegetarian – male) / Ja sam vegetarijanka (I’m a vegetarian – female)
Ja sam vegatarijanac (I’m vegan – male) / Ja sam vegatarijanka (I’m vegan – female)
Ja sam alergičan na insert allergy (I’m allergic to insert allergy – male) / Ja sam alergična na insert allergy (I’m allergic to insert allergy – female)

If you want to clarify further, you can say:

Ne jedem ni meso ni ribu. (I don’t eat either meat or fish.)
Ne jedem nikakve životinjske proizvode. (I don’t eat any animal products.)
Ne jedem ni jaja, ni mlijeko, ni mliječne proizvode. (I don’t eat either eggs, milk, or dairy products.)
Ima li orašastih plodova ili kikirikija? Moje dijete je alergično. (Are there any nuts/peanuts? My child has allergies.)

How to Pay The Bill in Croatian

When you're ready to leave the restaurant and settle the bill after having a very nice meal, here are some useful expressions:

Račun, molim vas. (The bill, please.)
Mogu li platiti karticom? (Can I pay with a credit card?)
Čini se da je došlo do pogreške u računu. Čini se da je račun previše visok! (There seems to be a mistake with the bill. The bill seems to be too high!)

And if the waiter asks how the meal was, you can respond:

Da, bilo je dobro, hvala. (Yes, it was good, thank you.)
Bilo je stvarno ukusno, hvala. (It was really delicious, thank you.)

How to Order Takeaway in Croatian

If you’re looking to order takeaway, either by entering or calling the restaurant, you can ask:

Je li moguće naručiti jelo za van? (Is it possible to order takeout?)

Feel free to use apps like Glovo or Wolt to order from a variety of restaurants. Simply choose your food, enter your delivery details, and enjoy your meal at home!

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident in ordering food in Croatian. Whether you're enjoying a traditional meal or a quick takeaway, the local cuisine is sure to satisfy you while you're in Croatia!

If you want to learn more useful phrases and expressions in Croatian, check out our Croatian phrases guide!

We also recommend you to create a free account on our website to start learning Croatian today!