Konoba Karako in Orebic, a Delightful Peljesac Extension of Korcula Dining

April 29, 2019 – While Korcula has many excellent dining options, the short and regular boat connections to the Peljesac Peninsula give plenty of others. An evening at homely Konoba Karako in Orebic.

Often it is only when you spend a little time in a destination that you realise the subtleties that are not immediately obvious on first arrival.

Having lived on Hvar for 13 years, I was always a little jealous of Brac, which had SO much better ferry connectivity, especially during the winter. But then I spared a thought for Korcula, which had much worse connections than Hvar.

And then I went to Korcula and slowly discovered that far from being more disconnected from the mainland than Hvar, the mainland is actually an extension of daily and social life.

“Why don’t you pop over for dinner?” asked my friend when I said I had no fixed plans for my last night on Korcula. “I know this lovely cosy little konoba on the water. Take the small little taxi-boat at 19:00 (cost 12 kuna) and I will meet you the other side, and we can walk from there.”

It would never have occurred to me – as I am sure it doesn’t to most visitors to Korcula – to pop over to the Peljesac Peninsula for dinner, but the boat connections are really outstanding. Apart from the main ferry terminal, there are regular taxi-boat services which are quick and affordable. I took the 19:00, for example, had a wonderful evening and was on the 22:30 ferry back home.

My friend met me and we walked along the waterfront. Orebic is known for its fine waterfront sea captain stone houses, and they were mightily impressive close up. The wind was up a little, and a brisk walk along the waterfront brought back all those island memories and loves now that I live in exile in Varazdin.

And even more so when I entered Karako. For here was the homely and warm authentic konoba experience at its best. Open most of the year, Karako is one of the most heartening things in Dalmatian hospitality, especially our of season – a warm and welcoming place with excellent traditional food and great wine, as the wind howls outside. Its waterfront location must make it a divine spot in summer.

Hostess Ani gave us a warm greeting, fully immersed as she was with her prawns in the cute restaurant kitchen. Authentic Dalmatian dining the traditional way. I felt a little homesick for my former island life.

As the season has not yet started, there was a more limited menu, but it was all superb. I was obviously enraptured by the tuna steak, as I forgot to snap it, but here is the fabulous Dalmatian platter for two.

A really nice contrast to the excellent dining experiences on Korcula, then a brisk walk along the waterfront, taking in the salty wind and lapping waves before the late evening ferry.

Ah, the joys of island life, made all the more bearable when you have such fantastic options just 15 minutes away on the mainland. Lovely place.