Croatian menus can be a challenge — especially in authentic Konobas without English translations. This table is your cheat sheet for the restaurant.
Meat (Meso)
| Croatian | German | Info |
|---|
| janjetina | Lamb | Often on a spit (ispod peke), a specialty of the islands and the hinterland |
| teletina | Veal | - |
| svinjetina | Pork | - |
| govedina | Beef | - |
| piletina | Chicken | - |
| puretina | Turkey | - |
| pršut | Prosciutto | Air-dried, similar to Prosciutto; from Dalmatia or Istria |
| kobasica | Sausage | Kulen = spicy paprika sausage from Slavonia |
| ćevapčići / ćevapi | Minced meat rolls | Grilled meat, served with Lepinja bread and Ajvar |
| pljeskavica | Minced steak | Like a burger patty, often filled with cheese |
| ražnjići | Meat skewers | Grilled pork or chicken skewers |
Fish & Seafood (Riba i morski plodovi)
| Croatian | German | Info |
|---|
| riba | Fish | General |
| brancin / lubin | Sea bass | The classic on the coast, often grilled (na žaru) |
| orada | Gilt-head bream / Dorade | Also a grill classic |
| tuna | Tuna | Fresh, not canned! Often as a steak |
| škampi | Scampi / Prawns | Na buzaru = in garlic-white wine sauce |
| dagnje | Mussels | Often na buzaru or in pasta |
| lignje | Squid / Calamari | Grilled or fried, a must-try |
| hobotnica | Octopus | Salad (salata od hobotnice) is a classic |
| srdele | Sardines | Grilled, a simple, affordable fish dish |
| školjke | Shellfish (general) | - |
| jastog | Lobster | Luxury! Often in Buzara or as a pasta side |
| bakalar | Cod / Stockfish | Traditional dish, especially during holidays |
| crni rižot | Black risotto | Colored with squid ink, a Dalmatian specialty |
Soups & Starters (Juhe i predjela)
| Croatian | German | Info |
|---|
| juha | Soup | - |
| maneštra | Thick vegetable soup | Istrian specialty with beans and pasta |
| brudet / brujet | Fish stew | Various fish in tomato sauce, served with polenta |
| pašticada | Dalmatian pot roast | Beef in sweet and sour sauce with gnocchi — THE festive dish |
| štrukli | Cottage cheese strudel | Zagorje specialty, cooked or baked |
| soparnik | Swiss chard flatbread | UNESCO heritage! Thin, crispy, from the hinterland of Omiš |
Sides & Basics
| Croatian | German |
|---|
| kruh | Bread |
| salata | Salad |
| mješana salata | Mixed salad |
| pommes / pomfrit | French fries |
| riža | Rice |
| njoki | Gnocchi |
| palenta | Polenta (cornmeal) |
| blitva s krumpirom | Swiss chard with potatoes |
| sir | Cheese |
| paški sir | Pag cheese |
| maslinovo ulje | Olive oil |
| ocat | Vinegar |
| sol | Salt |
| papar | Pepper |
| češnjak | Garlic |
| luk | Onion |
| rajčica | Tomato |
| paprika | Bell pepper |
Cooking Methods
| Croatian | German |
|---|
| na žaru | grilled |
| pečeno | baked / fried |
| kuhano | boiled |
| pohano | breaded |
| ispod peke | under the bell (Peka) |
| na buzaru | in garlic-wine-tomato sauce |
| na gradele | grilled on the grate |
| dimljeno | smoked |
| mariniran | marinated |
Desserts (Deserti)
| Croatian | German | Info |
|---|
| palačinke | Crêpes / Pancakes | With Nutella, jam, or walnuts |
| rožata | Crème Caramel | Dubrovnik specialty with rose liqueur (Rozalin) |
| kremšnita | Cream slice | Vanilla pudding pastry, Samobor specialty |
| fritule | Small doughnuts | With powdered sugar, raisins, orange peel — Christmas specialty, but available year-round |
| kroštule | Fried dough strips | Crispy, dusted with powdered sugar |
| sladoled | Ice cream | - |
Drinks (Pića)
| Croatian | German | Info |
|---|
| voda | Water | gazirana = with carbonation, negazirana = without |
| vino | Wine | crno = red, bijelo = white, ružičasto = rosé |
| gemišt | Wine spritzer | White wine + soda, the standard summer drink |
| bevanda | Red wine spritzer | Red wine + water, Dalmatian classic |
| pivo | Beer | Ožujsko (Zagreb), Karlovačko, Pan — the big three |
| rakija | Schnapps / Fruit brandy | Travarica (herbs), lozovača (grapes), šljivovica (plum), medica (honey) |
| kava | Coffee | Standard is a small strong espresso |
| kava s mlijekom | Coffee with milk | Similar to a cappuccino |
| čaj | Tea | - |
| sok | Juice | sok od naranče = orange juice |
| cedevita | Effervescent drink | Croatian cult drink since the 80s — orange, lemon, or forest berry |
💡 Tipp
In a genuine Konoba, always order the <strong>daily special</strong> or what the host recommends — it's guaranteed fresh. “<strong>Što imate danas?</strong>” (What do you have today?) is the magic question. And if “<strong>ispod peke</strong>” (under the bell) is on the menu: definitely order it, even if you have to wait 2 hours. It's worth it!