In Dalmatia, there's a saying: “Let the guest have the best, and we’ll eat whatever’s left.”
But the truth is, what we eat — once the shutters are down and the apartments are closed — often tells you more about our culture and our lives than any restaurant menu ever could.

At Rent & Easy Stay, guests often ask us: “Where do we go for real food?”
We always say: The best food is what locals eat at home, when no one’s watching.
So here’s a peek into that everyday, no-fuss, soul-warming Dalmatian kitchen.

🍲 1. Boiled Lamb with Fava Beans – Simple, Soulful, and Seasoned by Tradition
Forget the spit roast and the fancy tricks — real Dalmatian lamb is cooked slowly in its own juices, along with fresh fava beans that add a fragrant aroma and soft texture.
When this dish hits the table, it means it's the season, and the host is cooking for family and friends.
Fava beans, a true summer ingredient, bring freshness and sweetness that perfectly balance the richness of the meat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a slice of homemade bread — and you’ve got a meal that feeds both body and heart.

🍅 2. Tomatoes with Eggs – A Childhood Memory on a Plate
A true summer classic. When chopped tomatoes sizzle in hot olive oil, the whole house smells like childhood and sunshine.
Crack in a few eggs, stir with a fork right in the pan, and serve with thick slices of crusty bread for dipping.
Guests who’ve tried this often say: “It’s the simplest yet best lunch we’ve had.”
That’s the magic of Dalmatian cuisine — less is more, but the flavor is full.

🫘 3. Pašta Fažol – A Two-Day Meal That Only Gets Better
Nothing says home like a pot of pasta and beans simmering for hours.
Cooked beans, bits of pancetta or sausage if you’ve got it, and always — that deep, rich šug (sauce).
The best part? It’s even better the next day. Add a splash of vinegar, stir in some fresh pasta, or eat it as soup. Nothing goes to waste.
Real Dalmatian cooking is smart, frugal, and full of soul.

🥒 4. Fried Zucchini and Eggplant – Garden Gold
When it’s too hot to cook, a plate of lightly fried zucchini and eggplant with some hard cheese and a fresh tomato is a feast in itself.
Serve it with a slice of bread — ideally baked under a peka or bought from an old-school wood-fired bakery — and you’ve got a perfect end-of-day meal.
Stress-free, no-fuss, and deeply satisfying.

🧀 5. Local Cheese, Figs & Yogurt – A Dessert That Isn’t Really Dessert
Picture this: a hot day, the afternoon stillness, and a bowl of cold yogurt topped with fresh figs. That’s Dalmatian “sweetness”.
Even better? If a neighbor has brought over some homemade cow cheese. We often eat it with honey, grapes, or figs.
It’s not cake — but it feeds the soul.

🥖 6. Popara – The Dish No One Talks About, But Everyone Knows
Popara is what grandmothers made when there was “nothing in the house”.
Today, it’s comfort food: chunks of stale bread cooked in water or milk, with olive oil, garlic, salt — and sometimes cheese.
Perfect for a late-night dinner or a lazy summer breakfast when you’re too tired to cook or think.

🧅 7. Pašticada – But Only for the Worthy
Sure, it’s a tourist favorite — but real homemade pašticada isn’t made for just anyone.
This dish is reserved for special occasions. The meat is marinated and cooked for hours, and every family guards their own recipe.
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a lunch like this — know that you’ve been welcomed like family.
Pašticada isn’t just food — it’s respect on a plate.

🧭 Bonus: Where Can You Try All This?
Unfortunately, you won’t find any of these dishes on Tripadvisor.
But at Rent & Easy Stay, we always share tips on where to buy real olive oil, the best local tomatoes, Kolan cheese or market-fresh Swiss chard.
We often share our recipes too — because a good meal stays with you long after your suitcase is packed.

That’s why our guests keep coming back — not just for Zadar, but for the lifestyle.

In Dalmatia, food is made with love — never in a rush.
With few ingredients, but a lot of heart.
And that’s exactly the philosophy we live by at Rent & Easy Stay.
If you want to experience Dalmatia “from the inside” — don’t look for restaurants.
Look for people. And follow the smell of a home-cooked meal.