Konoba Hvaranin — Restaurant in Grad Split

We clearly had a service experience that was nothing short of us being treated differently than the customers around us. The management and the owners can find out who was serving us as we came in on Monday June 17, 2019 for dinner. We were sitting outside, my son and I, and were the only brown people around. We also paid with two credit cards. The server, a young gentleman, was clearly rude when we asked him for meal suggestions. He was then patronizing when we asked him if we could share one of the dishes as we were not sure how big the portions were. He never once came and asked us how the food was or the experience. On the other hand, there was a British white couple sitting right next to us, and two other white couples behind us. He was visiting all three of those tables repeatedly, and never once stopping by us. He also never got us the bread that all others were getting before their meals. We had to ask him for bread. When I asked him to pay with two cards as I am on an official trip and my son is on our personal account, he rudely said we will only take payment with one card. I was done by then and insisted that’s how it will be. When he was taking the payment, I was sure to tell him that they should treat ALL their client similarly. So, if you are any other race other than white, beware in this restaurant. And if you are a conscientious person irrespective of your race, then too please try to make this restaurant’s management and owners aware of their actions. There are some other reviews here that point to a similar type of an attitude with the waiters.

Split is a wonderful city and we are having a great time. It’s unfortunate that this person ended up being a representation of our experience last night....

tl;dr - AVOID AT ALL COST

My partner and I entered half-empty interior in and sat at one of free tables. As we are returning guests, we knew what are the specialties in this restaurant and it did not take us long to agree on what we'll order. At that point the owner of the place came to our table telling us that he already told us they are full (had reservations) and asked us to leave. First we thought it was a joke (since we haven't seen him prior to that), but he insisted. We most probably won't come back. A two star rating (instead of one) is due to the best pašticada in Split (such a shame).

EDIT: After reply from the establishment's owner, I feel that addition to my previous review is needed. We are always very respectful to our hosts. We frequently visit restaurants of various profiles, so we've seen positive and negative sides of this industry. Also, it would not be the first time we encountered the fully booked restaurant.

Regarding the incident: we asked whether there are free tables and were given NO ANSWER by the gentleman standing on the entrance (he just let us in with body gesture). The owner was not present at this point. He never talked to us prior to asking us to leave the half empty restaurant, despite his claims about talking to us 'two times'.

Given the owner's reply, which is inaccurate, highly inappropriate and completely out of spirit of hospitality industry, I decided to change my rating to one star.

AVOID AT ALL COST. I will make sure that as many people as possible know about how business is done in this...

If you're looking for an authentic Dalmatian dining experience in the heart of Split, Konoba Hvaranin is a hidden gem worth visiting. Tucked away in a quiet alley of the Varoš neighborhood, this cozy, family-run tavern radiates warmth, tradition, and home-style cooking.

Food: We tried the pašticada with homemade gnocchi – absolutely delicious. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sauce was rich, slightly sweet and sour, and perfectly balanced. For dessert, we had rožata, a local crème caramel-style dish, and it truly tasted homemade. Prices are slightly above average, but the portion sizes and quality justify it.

Atmosphere: Rustic and intimate. Stone walls, vintage decor, and red-checkered tablecloths create a charming, down-to-earth vibe. It feels like dining at a grandmother’s house. A great escape from the busy tourist areas.

Service: The staff was friendly, attentive, and helpful with recommendations. You can feel it’s a family business – warm and welcoming, not rushed or impersonal.

Overall: Konoba Hvaranin is not a tourist trap but a true slice of Dalmatia – on the plate and in the soul. Ideal for anyone who wants traditional food, local charm, and a quiet, cozy atmosphere. Make sure to book ahead, as seating is limited and it...