STORY OF TRADITIONAL FOOD
AND CORNARO GASTRONOMY

The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world, but in this case healthy doesn’t mean boring and bland.
Cornaro cuisine prides itself with the best Mediterranean recipes fish, vegetables and olive oil with an added value of tastes of both Dalmatia and Croatia.
Simple ingredients are combined into most delicious dishes creating a flawless mix of traditional and modern cuisine and a rich gastronomic offer of Cornaro Hotel.

Outdoor Grill

In the restaurants “Kralj Tomislav” and “Nodilo”, with an emphasis on unique combinations, exceptional flavors and freshness of local ingredients, the pleasure of dining is complemented by a pleasant atmosphere and impeccable service. Paying homage to the rich culinary heritage of Dalmatia, our dishes are inspired by the abundance of nature that surrounds us, fresh ingredients and traditional recipes with a modern touch. In addition to the above restaurants, the Cornaro hotel also has a beautiful Rooftop Bar, which offers views of the entire old town and islands. Drinks, live music and barbecue specialties from the hotel’s chef can be enjoyed on the terrace.

THE MOST FAMOUS DALMATIAN DISHES

Grilled fish
All restaurants on the coast serve this dish. Even though it doesn’t sound like anything special, it is tempting if you know that the fish is fresh and delivered to the restaurant by the fisherman himself, seasoned with locally made olive oil and herbs, and then expertly grilled.

Black Risotto
This authentic dish got the name from the cuttlefish ink which paints it in black color. Despite its black color, it’s believed to be a natural antidepressant, so feel free to enjoy this dish with a big smile.

Brudet
A sea stew made with all sorts of seafood and fish, cooked with some quality wine. Simple ingredients with a special and secret way of cooking will make you wonder how you could live without it until now.

Pašticada
It’s not all about fish and seafood — Dalmatian people are also experts in preparing meat. This dish is all about marinated beef stuffed with bacon and carrots, enriched with wine and cooked for at least 6 hours. It’s usually reserved for special occasions.

Peka
Prepared in a fireplace, Peka is a traditional cooking method under an iron dome covered with embers. Peka also takes a couple of hours to finish, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Octopus or lamb are the most popular choices for Peka.

Prosciutto
One of the trademarks of Dalmatia, smoked in a different way than any other prosciutto in the world. These slices disappear in seconds!

Soparnik
Two layers of thin dough stuffed with swiss chard, parsley and garlic combine to create Soparnik. It was the first Croatian dish that earned cultural heritage status.

Fritule
If you have a sweet tooth, this is for you. It is a Croatian festive dessert that looks like miniature doughnuts. Warning: highly addictive!

Rožata
Also included in the list of Croatian heritage dishes, it is a custard pudding that is similar to crème caramel. A hint of lemon gives Rožata its special flavor.

DALMATIAN HERBS AS LIQUEURS

Croats make their beloved strong liqueur using all sorts of natural ingredients available to them,
and many types of herbs contribute to the unique Dalmatian flavors of the hard stuff. Rakija is one of the most popular drinks in Croatia!

Dalmatian herbs on your plate

Some herbs, such as basil, feature regularly in the simple salads of the region, such as tomato and basil salad, a fresh and flavorsome accompaniment to any lunch, while others are core ingredients in some of Dalmatia’s most traditional dishes.
As with rosemary, parsley is an omnipresent ingredient in many Dalmatian dishes.

DALMATIAN SALT / SALT FLOWER

Only pure nature can produce a substance so fine like Flower of Salt;
Delicate petal-like crystals of virgin salt crust forming on evaporating seawater during hot summer days. Moist, crunchy and full of minerals essential for human health, Flower of Salt is too precious to be used for cooking.

STORY OF DALMATIAN AROMATIC AND MEDICAL HERBS

Striving to resolve our health issues, we sometimes forget that the nature already gave us everything we may need to be healthy.
Free natural medicaments are literally at arm’s reach. Medicinal herbs with high levels of essential oils grow freely in the region of Dalmatia.
Their natural products are used by Cornaro Hotel’s health professionals in the Wellness area and, on the other side of the spectrum, by chefs and cooks preparing ingredients, spices and dressings.

Rosemary
The most widely spread natural herb of Dalmatia, Rosemary as a cultural plant has been known since the dawn of humanity. The most beautiful part is that you can just go outside and grab a plant, return home and put it in the bowl or a frying pan.

Olive
This ancient plant is still a very important part of Dalmatian cuisine and culture. There is no home without olive oil and no island without olive oil prod. Olive leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, and will give your body an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal boost. Great for colds, flu and infections. Olive oil is a healthy liquid fat obtained from olives. The antioxidants in olive oil may help protect the body from cellular damage that can lead to a range of health conditions and diseases. Extra virgin olive oil has a bitter flavor, but it contains more antioxidants than other types, as it undergoes the least processing.

Lavender
Lavender is mostly used for the production of lavender oil used as an antiseptic and in aromatherapy. Leaves and petals are used fresh as an addition to salads, soups and cooked meals.

Sage
The medicinal and fragrant sage, known by its Latin name of Salvia officinalis, and regional Croatian names of žalfija, divlji kuš, slavulja and pitomi pelin, is used for making essential oils that help with various ailments, such as respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and swelling, due to its soothing effects. This plant grows wild in the form of short bushes on rocky ground in sunny and dry areas.

WINE STORY

The Nikolica Family Winery grew out of a centuries-old family tradition of growing vines and producing wine.
The wines of Nikolica Winery are of premium quality, which is a proof of the long-standing viticultural and winemaking tradition in the region.

DINGAČ NIKOLICA
Dingač Nikolica is a premium red dry wine of controlled origin from the Dingač locality, on the steep southern slopes of the Pelješac peninsula. It is obtained from the autochthonous variety “Plavac mali. Dingač Nikolica wine is adorned with balanced fruity aromas of maraschino cherries, prunes, figs with spice notes in the background.

POSTUP NIKOLICA
Postup Nikolica is a dry wine of “Plavac mali” from the famous locality of Postup. Ruby colors, full and harmonious taste with a note of bitterness, will go well with dark meat dishes, game, roasted blue fish or squid.

GRGIĆ WINES
The Grgić Vina company was established in 1996 by legendary Napa Valley winemaker, Croatian-born Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, his daughter Violet and his nephew Ivo Jeramaz. Dedicated to the art of winemaking, Mike started the winery to produce the finest wines from native Dalmatian grapes.

Main domestic varieties:

  • Graševina ( A variety that has flourished in Croatia and gained new meaning)
  • Malvazija
  • Merlot
  • Chardonnay
  • Cabernet sauvignon
  • Babić
  • Rukatac
  • Maraština
  • Pošip
  • Sauvignon
  • Kujundžuša
  • Teran
  • Pinot
  • Syrah
  • Zinfandel
  • Primitivo
  • Bogdanuša
  • Vugava
  • Grk

* For the organization of all tours, please contact the hotel reception and they will be happy to provide you with available dates for sightseeing!

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