Pula restaurants will blow you away if you know where to go and what to order!
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Pula sits on the tip of the Istrian peninsula, which is known for great seafood and excellent wine. So to plan your trip to Pula, I rounded up my favorite places to eat!
What to Order in Pula
One thing I love about Pula restaurants is that typically everything on the menu is local. At the first few restaurants, I asked if this or that fish was local, and they laughed at me! Of course it is. So definitely order all the fish and seafood you can eat!
Because of the historic Italian cultural influence, pasta and other Italian staples and common on menus. I tried a few, and didn’t love them as much as I loved the grilled fish and meat dishes. So my advice is to stick with the local specialties!
Croatia produces some fantastic wines! In general, the region is known for Malvasia/Malvazija and Chardonnay. Malvasia is a full, round wine that often has floral or fruit notes – a more intense white. Istrian Chardonnay is generally not oaky or buttery, which meant I loved it! It’s dry and refreshing, perfect for a summer day. In general, always ask your server what their favorite local options are. A few vineyards I liked were Coronica** and Degrassi*.
Pula Restaurants to Try
Restoran Stari Grad
Restoran Stari Grad was recommended by one of our hotel staff as a favorite of hers. As soon as we walked in, it was clear that this spot was a local favorite. There were plenty of locals who were friends with the chef, which is always a good sign in my book. The staff were great and offered good suggestions on their favorite dishes and wine pairings. We ordered the mixed grilled seafood plate, and it was amazing! Everything on it was cooked to perfection. It was some of the best grilled calamari I’ve ever had, and the different fishes were delicious. It was also a ton of food for two people, so come hungry.
Epulon
Epulon is equally good as a bar/spot to try wines. It’s also open on Sundays, which many Pula restaurants aren’t. This place had that cool, slightly hipster bar feel, a modern twist on many of the more old-school places we tried in Pula. I had some fantastic white fish, a classic Istrian dish. Ordering the local fish is my go-to in ocean towns, and it rarely disappoints! But this place was my favorite plate in Pula.
Flaviani
Head here after wandering historic Pula for an hour as the perfect place to take a break. Flaviani offers rolled ice cream, the perfect treat on a hot day! the mixed berry combo was delicious. We grabbed cups after walking around Pula and it was the perfect way to cool off.
Vodnjanka
We weren’t able to eat at Vodnjanka, but it comes highly rated by so many locals! Next time we visit, we’re headed here. It’s very popular, so make reservations if you can!
Konoba Istriana
Konoba Istriana is a bit further away, but still only about 15 minutes from town. It’s a fair local spot, being far enough off the beaten path to mostly serve the neighborhood. It specializes in slow-cooked meals over a coal fire, but you have to order it 24 hours in advance, so this is one to call ahead! The staff was really friendly.
Bonaca
This spot is just around the corner from our resort! Bonaca boasts tons of cliffside seating with great fish and seafood options. My favorite thing we ordered was a massive bowl of mussels – delicate and flavorful, they were the perfect bite for lunch. It would also be a great spot for an apertivo at sunset, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot the dolphins!
Pula is a great destination for a relaxing weekend packed with good food. If you need tips on where to stay or what to do, check out my city guide. Or follow me on Instagram to see where I’m headed now!
