Welcome to Zadar, Croatia! - A remarkable city full to the brim with history, music and fabulous sunsets ... (it has been said that Zadar has the most beautiful sunsets in the world.)
It's a city where you can hear the ocean's song melt into a buskers blues. A city where you can dance your heart out amongst Roman ruins and a city where you can find a whole street selling ice cream before the sun comes up.
Here's how I spent my time in Zadar... specifically in the two evenings I was there.
Tasting the Maraschino liqueur at Deja Brew
We started off our first evening by wandering round the cobble-stoned streets of the Old Walled City. - Which is a UNESCO world heritage site in itself! Bursting with history, music and the smells and sounds of bars and restaurants beginning to get busy, promising a night of atmospheric calm, with a hint of excitement that blankets the city on an evening.
Not far from the Roman Forum we found Deja Brew, a fabulous little pub snuggled inside a Baroque Palace, whilst the decor still depicts the luxe and history of the palace, the taste of the cocktails has altered. With a wall full of spirits and liqueurs, plenty of draught options and a very appealing hand-crafted cocktail menu, it's no wonder this is where we decided to have our first drink of the holiday... and of course it had to be the famous local drink... Maraschino Liqueur.
Not for the faint of heart the Maraschino liqueur is a clear cherry-flavoured drink made from Marasca cherries - dating back to the 16th century when it was originally made by Dominican monks. For more information about the potent drink see; https://www.tasteatlas.com/maraschino
If you are visiting Zadar, you can grab a glass of this sweet but bitter liqueur at Deja Brew which lives out of an old Baroque Palace; "where the old world meets the new". More information about Deja Brew via their insta here; https://www.instagram.com/dejabrewpubzadar/
Listening to the Sea sing at the Sea Organ whilst the sun went down
The Sea Organ was designed by Nikola Basic; and designed to use natures' power. Consisting of 35 pipes and whistles in the concrete sea wall, it turns the waves' impact into a song. Take a stroll down the waters' edge when the sea is calm and you'll float along to a mellow tune but when the wind picks up so does the music! There have been complaints from local residents who say it keeps them up at night when it's too stormy but this doesn't mean you can't go and join the crowds on an evening to watch the sun go down over the Adriatic.
If you're brave enough - you could even take a dip in the cooling Adriatic, and swim amongst the colours of the sunset, just like these courageous lads decided to do... remember- you will have an audience!
So now that the buzz of the booze is wearing off and we've experienced the overwhelming romance of the sunset of Zadar, it was time to follow the meandering crowds back into the humdrum of the Roman Forum, and the streets that wind away from it... and time for some food!
We stayed in Zadar for 2 nights and ate out both times.
I'm one for a bit of research before visiting a city, that way I make sure that I'm trying the best of what the place has to offer.. however, this time around I allowed myself to go with the flow of the streets, and to let the city guide me...
Dinner at 4Kantuna
... and Zadar did not disappoint! At around 8pm this place was full to the brim with locals (always and good sign), and tourists alike - patrons pouring out onto the street, tables claiming what seemed like miles of pavements, with waiters and waitresses dancing effortlessly between them balancing; Pastas, Risottos, various shellfish platters, perfectly cooked meat-dishes, Pizzas, Salads, Soups... (I could go on but take a look at the menu for yourself... https://restaurant4kantuna.com/jelovnik-vinska-karta/.)
Check out their insta ... https://www.instagram.com/restaurant4kantuna/
We ordered two pastas; one black truffle and one spicy prawn and tomato... and wow, they lived up completely to the vibe of the place.
All the pasta is made in-house
Honestly, give the restaurant, food, staff, atmosphere, drinks... ALL of it 10/10 - and there's something for everyone on the menu.
Dinner at Foša
Now, this one was a little more planned. During my research at home we found this 5* Michelin-recommended restaurant sitting right on the edge of the Old City, in a small port called Foša. Perched on a sea wall, surrounded by boats and 16th century walls, looking out across the Adriatic. No restaurant music, just the sound of the waves.
The oceanic theme continues onto the Menu, with all options featuring seafood.
The most romantic setting I've ever dined in.
Between us we ordered;
'Scampi' (shrimp) Carpaccio, Grated Oyster, Green Apple Gel, Dill Oil & Flavoured Rice Chips
'Scampi' (Shrimp) Risotto - Velebit Channel Scampi, Carnaroli Rice, Tomatoes, Grana Padano
Tuna Steak, Dalmatian-Style Chard
The wine pairings were all spot on and we got a surprise course before our starters came, which the waiter described as;
All were amazing. Another 10/10 meal, but a little bit more refined and expensive. Not the kind of place to go if you are on a budget!
See the menu here; https://www.fosa.hr/en/menu
Where we stayed
I ALWAYS book my accommodation in advance and in no time at all after looking online decided we would stay at the Boutique Hostel Forum, where all of the double rooms look right out onto the Roman Forum.
See a few snaps of the view from our room below...
Boutique Hostel Forum serves a cooked breakfast every morning and in the evenings has a Cinema room and Pool room for games and such! Check out their insta: https://www.instagram.com/boutiquehostelforum/
For more interesting facts about Zadar... https://zadar.travel/news/interesting-facts-about-zadar
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