What to Eat and Drink on Korcula in 2026: Our Local Tips!

HERE’S OUR SUMMARY OF THE BEST THINGS TO EAT AND DRINK ON KORCULA

For us, one of the best parts of going on holiday is diving into the local food and wine. It’s the time you can forget about the diet and just indulge guilt-free! Wondering what the Korcula locals like to eat and drink?

Food and drink are at the heart of life in Croatia, and Korcula is no exception. Family and friends often gather to enjoy rustic, home-cooked meals. Picture a table spread with fresh bread, homegrown salads, soups, grilled meats, and mouth-watering seafood cooked over glowing charcoals. All washed down with quality locally produced wine.

Whenever we’re invited to dinner, we never say no. It’s not just about the amazing food and company; it’s that most of what you’ll eat has been caught, grown, or produced on the island. That makes every bite feel extra special.

So, what should you eat and drink on Korcula? Here’s a list of traditional dishes and local specialities you shouldn’t miss.

Please note that some links on korculexplorer.com are affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you click through a link and make a purchase from one of our partners. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and supports us to create more content. Learn more.

What to Eat on Korcula

Zrnovski Makaruni

This handmade pasta, called makaruni is a staple of Korcula. It is shaped around a skewer and served with rich sauces like minced meat, tomato, seafood or garlic and parsley (buzara). The pasta dough is chopped into bite-size pieces and then shaped around a skewer.

Most popular in the village of Zrnovo, this dish is celebrated every August during the annual Žrnovski Makaruni festival.

Peka

Peka, or “the bell,” is an absolute must-try on Korčula. This dish involves cooking meats and vegetables under a metal or earthenware bell covered in hot embers. 

The result? Tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat and perfectly roasted vegetables. Seafood peka is also an option, and while the method might seem simple, mastering it takes years of practice. It’s worth travelling out of your way to experience this culinary tradition.

Pasticada

This slow-cooked beef dish is a Dalmatian classic. Every family has their own Pasticada traditional recipe which is passed down through generations. 

The key to this dish is the careful preparation of the beef meat, even before the cooking starts. After tenderising and marinating the meat, the beef is slowly stewed in a rich wine gravy with vegetables. Served with gnocchi or traditional pasta makaruni. This is a delicious hearty meal!

Brodet

Brodet is a regional fish stew bursting with flavour. Made with fresh fish, juicy tomatoes, parsley, garlic, and white wine, it’s typically served with polenta or rice. This dish might not be on every restaurant menu, but it’s a must-try if you can find it.

Octopus salad

Fresh octopus is very delicious and as part of a salad is an excellent way to try it. 

For a salad, the octopus is cooked and chopped then mixed with red onions, capers, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Some variations also include tomatoes. The dish is simplistic but extremely tasty as a light and refreshing salad.

Black risotto

Don’t be put off by the colour! Black risotto is a traditional dish in Dalmatia. Black risotto gets its hue and unique flavour from cuttlefish with pieces of seafood mixed into the creamy rice. 

My recommendation is to get one to share as the dish is very rich.

The Grill – Fish and Meat

Unlike us Brits, Croatians really know how to BBQ! The lamb is to die for and you can also enjoy a great fillet steak, but the ultimate has to be the seafood – fresh fish, octopus, squid…

Picture a perfectly seasoned sea bass, brushed with olive oil, and grilled to perfection—it’s simple but unbeatable.

Lamb on the Spit

This does not need much description but needs to be included as an exceptional treat for lamb lovers. 

The whole lamb is cooked for several hours in a purpose-built stone oven, filled with burning embers. The meat becomes incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavour (and of course must be washed down with a full-bodied local red). You will not be disappointed.

Olive Oil

It feels like every household on Korcula has its own olive grove! Locally made olive oil is a staple, with subtle flavour differences that make each bottle unique. The yearly harvest produces enough oil to supply friends and family for the duration. 

We taste several olive oils on our Taste of Korcula Tours, so come and join us and learn more about this liquid gold.

Swiss chard and potatoes

If you want to experience what locals eat & drink on Korcula, you must try this classic dish. Swiss chard (in Croatian blitva) is growing in abundance on the island. It is mashed with cooked potatoes. Then simply seasoned with olive oil and salt. The dish is most typically served to accompany fish & seafood.

Bread

Bread is a daily essential for most Croatians. It’s often dipped in olive oil, served with ham and cheese, or simply enjoyed on its own. The bakeries here bake bread throughout the day so a fresh loaf is never too hard to find.

Cheese

The tastiest & famous cheeses of Croatia include sheep cheese from the island of Pag (Paski sir) and salty feta-like cheese. Specifically from Korcula Island, look out for homemade goat cheese – it’s utterly delicious. 

Cheeses are usually served in a platter as an appetiser, doused with olive oil & accompanied with Dalmatian ham (prsut) & salted fish.

Prust (cured ham)

Dalmatian ham (prsut) is to Croatia, what Palma and Serrano ham are to Italy and Spain and equally delicious. 

All along the Dalmatian coast, variations in cured meats are abundant. Home-cured pancetta is also exceptional and great served as bacon or chopped into lardons. You can taste delicious prsut ham and local cheeses on our wine-tasting and local produce tasting tours.

Pizza

I know I know. This is Croatia, not Italy. But Korcula was under the rule of the Venetians for a long time, and this heavily influenced their cuisine. 

You will find many pizzerias across the island serving very delicious and inexpensive pizzas. The options are usually quite standard, but some places offer some more interesting mixes. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with pizza on Korcula!

Something Sweet

If like me you love the sweet stuff, you won’t be disappointed with Korcula’s offer. Traditional sweets include Cukarin (a dry cookie with hints of lemon and orange), Klasuni (buttery dough filled with a walnut paste) and Lumblija cake (a spiced cake with dried fruits, almonds and a touch of local grape syrup).

What to Drink on Korcula

As the Dalmatians say, a fish should swim three times: first in the sea, then in olive oil, and finally in wine! And trust us, Korcula has plenty of local drinks to help you enjoy that third swim!

Local wines on Korcula

Croatia is home to some of Europe’s finest (and still relatively undiscovered) wines. There are several fine wine producers on Korcula Island as well as on the Peljesac mainland.

The island’s Mediterranean climate provides the perfect conditions for growing exceptional grapes. You’ll find an amazing variety. Korcula’s wines range from light, refreshing whites to full-bodied, bold reds. 

Here are some must-try local wines:

• Posip: A light, golden white wine primarily grown in Cara and Smokvica. Perfect with fresh fish.
• Grk: A dry, aromatic white wine almost unique to Lumbarda. 
• Prosek: A sweet, white dessert wine made from dried grapes. Pair it with Dalmatian crème caramel (known as rozata) for a heavenly treat.
• Plavac Mali: A rich, fruity red wine produced across Korcula and the Peljesac Peninsula.
• Postup: A full-bodied ruby red wine from the Peljesac region.
• Dingac: A premium-quality, robust red wine grown exclusively in the Dingac vineyards of Peljesac.

Want to dive deeper into Croatia’s wine scene? Join one of our wine-tasting tours to sip some of the best local wines while learning about their history and production.

Beer

While Croatians love their wine, beer is equally popular. The country is known for its domestically produced beers, and the recent craft beer boom has added a new dimension to the beer scene.

You’ll find craft breweries popping up across Dalmatia. Many bars and supermarkets stock a selection of regional craft beers worth trying.

Here are some popular Croatian beers to look out for:

• Ozujsko and Karlovacko: The most widely consumed beers in Croatia.
• Tomislav: A rich, dark beer.
• Pan and Velebitsko: Other notable options.
• Lasko: Technically Slovenian, but beloved by many in Croatia.

Keep an eye out for local craft beers—perfect for enjoying on a sunny terrace overlooking the sea.

Rakija

No Croatian meal starts without an aperitif, and rakija is the drink of choice. This flavoured grape brandy comes in countless varieties, from fruity to herbal.

You can sample rakija in restaurants and bars, pick up a bottle as a souvenir, or (for the brave) try the homemade versions. A word of caution: the homebrews pack a serious punch!

These are some of our favourites, what will yours be?

• Smokovaca: Fig-flavoured.
• Kruskovac: Pear-flavoured.
• Orahovac: Walnut-flavoured.
• Travarica: Herb-infused and said to be good for digestion.
• Medica: Sweet and honey-flavoured.      

Korcula Island Food and Drink Festivals  

You’ll find several food and drink festivals taking place across the island during the summer months. Highlights include:

🐟 Fishermen’s Evenings in coastal villages, such as Lumbarda and Brna featuring grilled fish, grilled seafood, and live music by the sea. These events are usually weekly. 

🥘 Zrnovski Makaruni Festival in Zrnovo, where you can sample the island’s iconic handmade pasta. This is held in August. 

🍷 Wine Tasting Events take place in Lumbarda late July into August, in Smokvica and Cara and also in Korcula Town. 

🍺 The Beer Festival is a new introduction to the island’s food and drink offer and usually takes place in October. 

Event dates are not always widely publicised, or in advance, so I suggest checking the calendar on the tourist office websites for up-to-date details. 

What to Eat and Drink on Korcula: FAQ

What is the must-try dish on Korcula?

It has to be peka, a slow-cooked dish of meat or seafood with vegetables, cooked under a metal bell in glowing embers. The flavours are incredible. Make sure to pre-order it at restaurants as it takes time to prepare.

What local wines should I try on Korcula?

Korčula is known for its unique wines: Posip: A crisp, golden white wine from Čara and Smokvica, Grk: A dry, aromatic white wine mainly growing in Lumbarda and Plavac Mali: A bold red wine grown locally and on nearby Peljesac.

Where can I experience authentic food on Korčula?

The best way to enjoy authentic dishes is to visit local konobas (traditional taverns) or small family-run restaurants. Many of these use fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Zrnovo is a great village for traditional food experiences.

Is there vegetarian food available on Korcula?

While traditional Croatian cuisine leans heavily on meat and seafood, many restaurants offer vegetarian options. Try dishes like: swiss chard and potatoes (blitva s krumpirom), grilled vegetable with goats’ cheese or pasta with tomato or truffle sauce. 

Aterina restaurant in Korcula Town offers tasty vegetarian and vegan options. 

Wrap-Up: What to Eat and Drink on Korcula

We hope we’ve given you some great suggestions of what to eat & drink on Korcula. Be sure to visit local konobas to savour authentic dishes like peka, Zrnovski makaruni, and fresh octopus salad. Pair your meal with a glass of local wine, such as Grk or Posip, and kick things off the Croatian way—with a shot of rakija! 

What do you think you will try? One thing’s certain: your taste buds are in for a treat on Korcula!

Interested in trying out some dishes at home? Head over to the Chasing the Donkey website, where you’ll find some delicious Croatian recipes to try.

READ NEXT >> How to Choose the Best Seafood and Fish on Korcula