Most people know that there are many places to go out to eat in Zadar. However, many people are unaware of the many halal restaurants in the old town.
While it's not as popular or available as the capital, Zagreb, there are a growing number of Muslim-friendly restaurants are sprouting up in Zadar and other smaller cities.
Zadar is a city on the coast of Croatia, known for its beautiful and vibrant coast, great fish restaurants and excellent shopping. I’ve compiled a list of the best halal restaurants in the city.
The restaurants in Zadar offer a wide variety of food that is acceptable for Muslims. It's important to check the menu prior to ordering, as some foods do contain pork or alcohol. Even though many of the restaurants are located in the city center, they are very easy to find, and they are perfect for a quick bite while on a vacation.
You can check the menu before you order and see if it states that the restaurant is Halal certified, but this isn't a widespread benefit in Croatia.
Salsa Rossa
The menu at Salsa Rossa has everything Italian you can think of, whether it’s pasta, pizza, or fresh and juicy mozzarella. The restaurant is located only a few minutes away from the famous St Donatus church, so it’s a great place to go after a sightseeing trip with family, friends, or on your own. The workers there do speak a convenient amount of English, so it’s useful for those who use the language. Prices on the menu are average for what you receive and the quality of the dish.
Bare in mind, the servings are quite large, so you might want to share if you have a small appetite!
Richard Gyros and Sweets
Great taste, great value, great service, and great experience. Richard Gyros and Sweets restaurant is one of the best barbeque restaurants I have visited in the whole of Croatia. All the food is freshly cooked in the kitchen- straight from the grill to your plate. As soon as the meat touches your lips, you can feel the explosion of flavours in your mouth from the strong charcoal sizzle to the coat of spices.
The service is some of the best I have experienced in my life; the workers were ever so friendly and even offered to help me out with the menu.
Grand Gastro Zadar
Even though the restaurant doesn’t fit around a central theme, like a specialty or dish, I think that is what makes it so convenient. The menu offers all sorts of dishes from grilled fish to vegetable pasta, making it perfect for those with families of children. The service is incredibly fast and the workers are very attentive. If you happen to have a pet with you, I would avoid this restaurant as it is reported to be pet unfriendly.
The prices are average for the amount of food you get and the amazing quality of food you receive.
Harbor Cookhouse and Club
Whether it was the beautiful water front terrace or the amazingly decorated interior it is horribly difficult to put my finger on what I loved here. The food served ranges from wraps to steak to kebabs none of them better than the last. The food here is better suited for adults as the flavours are quite intense and might be a bit difficult for a child to enjoy. The food is plated beautifully and the location is even prettier- a great photo opportunity I would say.
The service is decently fast and the workers are friendly.
Pasta Svasta
Pasta, pasta, pasta- my favourite. Pasta Vasta serves all sorts of pasta variants, from ravioli to linguini. The best thing s that they make the pasta in the kitchen and only serve the best batches. The service is a bit slow but the delicious food makes up for it. The atmosphere is very lively but also a friendly crowd everyone there with smiles on their face; and you will have one too once you eat the food there.
One of my favourite dishes was the generic Spaghetti Bolognese. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is travelling in Zadar.