Along the coast, seafood is especially important. Restaurants serve fish caught that same day, along with dishes like grilled squid, octopus, mussels and other seafood that feel exotic, or unfamiliar, compared to what I usually eat at home. Because the sea is so close, seafood is a normal part of everyday meals here, not just something for special occasions. In fact, when fishers bring in fresh catches, many restaurants design their menus around what is available that day.
Besides fish and seafood, other common foods include olive oil, herbs, and fresh bread because olives, herbs and wheat grow well in Croatia's Mediterranean climate, which features mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. All of these ingredients show how the local environment, including the sea, the weather, and the land, shapes the food people eat in Croatia.
There are also some surprising differences from home. In restaurants here, you usually have to ask specifically for tap water. Otherwise, the servers bring bottled water to share, and you have to pay for it. You don’t get free refills on drinks, and soda often comes in small glass bottles instead of big cups. The soda flavors are different, too! Some American sodas, like Dr. Pepper and root beer, aren't available here, and others, like Fanta, taste a bit different.
Right now, it’s also the slow season for tourists, so many restaurants are closed. Only about a quarter of them are open during the winter months. However, starting in late March and April, more places will open as tourists arrive. Even in the off-season, there’s still a wide variety of food here, including Croatian, Italian, Asian and other international options.
