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STORY OF TRADITIONAL FOOD AND CORNARO GASTRONOMY

Cornaro hotel is proudly named after the central bastion which is located inside the historic old city's pedestrian zone. Besides the defensive fortification and the palace itself, the hotel is surrounded by all of the main tourist attractions, museums, churches…

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 its name from the cuttlefish ink, which paints it black. Despite its 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 features 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 unique way unlike 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 to earn 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, Rožata is a custard pudding similar to crème caramel. A hint of lemon gives it its special flavor.

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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, like the tomato and basil salad, a fresh and flavorsome accompaniment to any lunch. 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 as fine as Flower of Salt. Delicate petal-like crystals of virgin salt crust form 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 best part is that you can just go outside, grab a plant, return home, and use it in your cooking.

Olive

This ancient plant remains an integral part of Dalmatian cuisine and culture. There is no home without olive oil and no island without olive oil production. Olive leaves are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, offering anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal benefits. Olive oil, a healthy liquid fat obtained from olives, contains antioxidants that help protect the body from cellular damage, reducing the risk of various health conditions. Extra virgin olive oil, with its bitter flavor, contains more antioxidants due to minimal processing.

Lavender

Lavender is widely used for the production of lavender oil, which serves as an antiseptic and in aromatherapy. Fresh leaves and petals can also be added to salads, soups, and cooked meals.

Sage

The medicinal and fragrant sage, known by its Latin name Salvia officinalis and regional Croatian names such as žalfija, divlji kuš, slavulja, and pitomi pelin, is used to make essential oils that help with ailments like respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and swelling. This plant grows wild as short bushes on rocky ground in sunny, 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 made from the autochthonous “Plavac mali” grape variety. This wine is adorned with balanced fruity aromas of maraschino cherries, prunes, and figs, with spice notes in the background.

Postup Nikolica

Postup Nikolica is a dry wine made from “Plavac mali” grapes grown in the famous locality of Postup. With its ruby color and full, harmonious taste accented by a note of bitterness, it pairs 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.