Pošteni Restaurant - Hvar — Restaurant in Grad Hvar

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pošteni Restaurant in Hvar, Croatia, and it was an unforgettable experience that truly captured the essence of Dalmatian hospitality and cuisine. Nestled in the heart of Hvar Town at Trg Sv. Stjepana 31, this family-run gem, established in 1930 by grandfather Yure, exudes authenticity and charm from the moment you step through the door. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a cozy courtyard and stone walls that whisper stories of the past. The staff, led by a friendly owner who greets you like family, made us feel right at home. Their attentiveness, especially from our waiter Mirko, elevated the experience—knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about the food they serve. The menu is a love letter to traditional Croatian fare, with dishes crafted from recipes passed down through generations. I opted for the Dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi, a rich, slow-cooked beef dish that melted in the mouth, perfectly balanced with the soft, homemade gnocchi. My partner tried the cevapi, which was bursting with flavor and served with fresh, local ingredients. We also couldn’t resist the seafood buzara with mussels, recommended by the owner, and it was a highlight—fresh, fragrant, and cooked to perfection. The gluten-free options, including pizza and pasta, were a pleasant surprise for those with dietary needs, and the quality didn’t falter. The food was complemented by a selection of local Croatian wines, which paired beautifully with the meal. For dessert, we indulged in a traditional Dalmatian rozata, a creamy custard that was the perfect sweet finish. The prices were reasonable for such high-quality, authentic cuisine, especially in a prime tourist spot like Hvar. What sets Pošteni apart is its commitment to tradition while subtly weaving in modern culinary influences. The restaurant’s history, combined with its focus on fresh, local ingredients, makes every dish feel like a celebration of Hvar’s heritage. The only minor downside was a single negative review mentioning small portions, but we found the portions generous and satisfying. Whether you’re a local or a traveler, Pošteni is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Croatian dining experience. I can’t wait to return on my next trip to Hvar! Highly recommended—make sure to book ahead during...

We were drawn into the restaurant by the lovely and charming owner, who told us about the history of the restaurant and so we were excited to support his family. Getting to my seat a waiter literally pushed me out of the way! Our luck that he turned out to be our server. He quickly let me know that the restaurant was busy & he was overwhelmed (I think he was trying to explain why he pushed me). I felt bad for him at that point and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and told him not to worry. But it didn’t get any better. It was clear that he was overworked and overwhelmed when he came back to take our order and repeated that they’re so busy. Throughout the dinner we felt rushed; it was not a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere whatsoever. And not once did he ask us if we needed anything or if our food was okay.

The food: The truffle pizza and whole fish were delicious. The chicken caesar salad and the Greek salad were good. The tomato soup was not so great and tasted like pasta sauce in a bowl.

Honestly the stars I took off were based on the horrible service - probably the worst service we’ve had during our...

Food was good to be fair but the service was terrible. As soon as we finished our dinner the waiter made it very clear he wanted us to leave. We still had two full drinks. When we were made feel very unwelcome we decided to leave - keep in mind we knew it was a busy night and would never over stay our welcome but we had JUST finished I was still eating when they took our plates. We asked for the bill from 3 separate staff members and no one came back to us. The owner it seemed came down and asked us if we had asked for the bill to which we replied we did 3 times. When we finally paid the waiter made rude remarks under his breath about not giving a tip!!! We spent 500kn + there already and the service was terrible!!!

I would not recommend going here, we later went to the neighboring restaurants for food and the staff were absolutely lovely and we tipped them as they deserved it. Also the seating it so crammed and the waiters kept walking into us / our table the owner is obviously so money hungry he placed as many seats and tables as humanly possible. It’s uncomfortable and claustrophobic for both staff...