Say you’ve been in Split for more than a few days and you’re feeling like all the grilled fish, seafood pastas and mixed grills are getting tiring (remember, this is OKAY to experience). The emergence of Split as a top tourist destination over the years has surely paved the way for new ideas and diversified cuisines. The most prominent cuisine in Split today that is not of Croatian or Dalmatian descent is Asian. Five years ago it was hard to find a single restaurant that wasn’t Croatian, but now we have some top competitors to help fill your Asian food cravings.
A massive winner for Spličani over the last couple of years is the newly opened Adriatic Oyster and Sushi Bar. With fresh fish and oysters straight from the Adriatic, you would think the concept of sushi in Split would have been done ages ago! Their menu boasts nigiri, maki, specialty rolls, teriyaki and sashimi. But don’t worry, for those of you that don’t fancy sushi like the rest of us do, Adriatic Sushi also has a selection of Croatian cheeses and grilled meat dishes for you to choose from. An extensive wine list and a fairly priced menu has put Adriatic Sushi as a frontrunner going into this summer’s season. Located conveniently in the center on Carrarina poljana 4, you won’t want to miss out on this one! Pro tip: the tuna tartar is a must!
Having opened nearly 3 years ago on Ban Jelacic 1, Samurai is the first true Japanese restaurant in Split. After visiting Split for over a period of 6 years, owner Okamoto decided it was time to bring his cuisine to the people of Split. A diversified menu filled with everything from yakisoba to ramen noodle soup, fried squid tempura bowls and beef curry, Samurai has kept the cuisine traditional and tasty. Okamoto is also passionate about bringing healthy, low-calorie food to your plate, and it is always prepared with love and a little bit of art.
Biser Orijenta is the only true Chinese restaurant in Split. Located on the top floor of an office building on Bihaćka 2, Biser Orijenta has an outside terrace with a stunning view overlooking Split, and traditional Chinese decor inside. The menu has tie-pan specialties, as well as stir-fried noodles, fried rice, eggs rolls and a bundle of meat dishes. Very reasonably priced, you’ll often see Spličani fill the restaurant on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Bota Šare is another sushi place on the list, and with a menu similar to Adriatic Sushi, this restaurant is definitely heavier on the seafood and has some unique menu items you can’t really get anywhere else in Split. For instance, their Stonski Risot is taken directly from the recipes used in Mali Ston, an area located about 45 north of Dubrovnik. With sushi items such as tempura, maki, nigiri, rolls and sashimi, Bota Šare is another stellar restaurant to feed your sushi needs. Bota Šare is located at Morpurgova poljana.
Lastly, don’t forget about the Wok Bar located on Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 25, right off the riva! This is a perfect place for walk ins or a quick bite before hitting the town.
