Soul Kitchen — Restaurant in Grad Split

Underwhelmed by the offer at my hotel, I popped by this restaurant for a quick lunch - the reviews on Google were fantastic and the menu sounded really interesting and different from the usual Split Mediterannean offer (which I love, but I just wasn't in the mood for). What a disappointment.... I should have just stayed at the hotel and had the boring club sandwich. I ordered the chicken shawarma, which the waiter warned me is a bit spicy, and I said great, it should be. This couldn't have been further from the truth. The dosh was so bland that I guess when the staff saw me pulling out the salt and pepper shaker and seasoning vigorously, they asked in everything was okay. I'm not usually the one to complain and would have eaten the bland dish, but they asked and I couldn't hide my face so I said that it wasn't actually as it had no taste. The really nice waitress tried to explain that if I had tasted shawarma previously in Asia, this was somewhat of a different recipe , but the cooks are definitely following instructions from whoever made the menu. But that they'll happily fix it for me. Red flags all around. I told her that it's a Middle Eastern, not Asian dish and that if the main chef is not in the kitchen I can't imagine how the cooks who are just following the recipe could possible fix it? You don't fix a dish like that by simply adding "more spice," which was the suggestion. Anyway. Second try. I asked for the tofu tacos "al pastor," as I just wanted to have a tasty quick bite and be out the door. Wrong again. The "tacos" came on small, tasteless flour tortillas (which in Southern Mexico, where al pastor originated would be a crime) but I guess that's okay because this wasn't al pastor at all. What arrived was a ground tofu conundrum in a kind of a Bolognaise sauce with an "avocado" paste underneath that tasted like one of those industrial, store bought dips. Once again, the staff asked if the meal was now to my liking and I just did have the energy to start explaining all of the things that are wrong with it so I asked not to ask me anything. Still being hungry, I ate 3 out of the 4 fake pastors and just wanted to leave asap. I guess the disappointment was so obvious they didn't charge me for the food, just the water I had. I told them that wasn't the point of the whole thing and that I wanted to pay because I did eat some of the food, but they insisted, saying they wanted their customers to leave satisfied. Unfortunately, no matter how wonderfully designed your interior is or how attentive and nice your staff of the food is no good, how can customers.ers be happy? That's the whole point of a restaurant, right? Anyway, I am well aware that I'm a difficult audience accustomed to great food (being married to a chef and having travelled extensively) but I'm allergic to these types of establishments pretending to be hip and interesting but they're clearly just someone's money-making scheme, without any real thought put into the why and how. I'd opt for a real street pastor served off the back of a car repair shop in Mexico City than this gorgeous setting but without any soul. Ironic, isn't it,...

Soul Kitchen in Split, Croatia, is an absolute gem! I first visited as part of a group of 14, and the experience was so extraordinary that I returned a few days later with my sister, much to the envy of the other 12. From the moment you step inside, Soul Kitchen captivates. The tantalizing aromas from the kitchen, stunning decor blending modern elegance with cozy warmth, and a heartfelt welcome create an irresistible atmosphere. On our first visit (May 12, 2025), we initially chose to dine outside, but the early-season chill prompted us to move indoors. What a blessing that was, the indoor dining area was a feast for the senses, with stylish furnishings and a vibrant yet intimate vibe. I ordered the “Weal of Change,” veal medallions paired with glazed vegetables and a truffle-infused sweet potato cream. The dish was sublime, cooked to perfection, beautifully presented, and an explosion of flavors. Each bite was a testament to the chef’s skill. Among our group, a vegan friend was so impressed with her meal that she declared she’d fly back to Split just to dine here again, high praise for any restaurant! My sister and I returned a few days later, and Soul Kitchen delivered yet again. This time, I chose the vegan “Cauli-Fornia Dream,” tempura-fried cauliflower with olive, peanut butter, and tahini sauce, crispy onions, and charred lime. The dish was a revelation, crisp, flavorful, and so creative that it left me eager to explore more of the menu’s cleverly named offerings. My sister’s choice was equally delightful, and we savored every moment of the meal. The food and atmosphere were exceptional, but what truly elevated our visits was Sime. His warmth, humor, and effortless efficiency transformed our special occasion into something unforgettable. Sime’s attentive yet unobtrusive service, paired with his genuine kindness, made us feel like honored guests. He’s a true asset to Soul Kitchen. The restaurant was impeccably managed, with consistent service across both visits. The prices felt fair for the outstanding quality, making the experience excellent value. Soul Kitchen is a must-visit in Split, blending innovative cuisine, a welcoming ambiance, and top-tier service. Top marks, and a heartfelt thank you to Sime for making our meals so memorable. We can’t wait to return and try more...

Came for lunch before a flight. When the food arrived 2 out of the 3 dishes had a hair in them. The hairs were different color and lengths, so they were from 2 different chefs. Additionally, the dishes were bland. When we showed the server the hair, she instantly offered to cover the whole meal and said that the drinks, entrees, and everything else would be free of charge. They replaced the 2 dishes with hairs and once again they were bland and average.

In the beginning, the waitress was helpful and was giving good service. After the complaint of the 2 hairs, no one came to our table until we waved them to us, and the waiter said they would be covering only half the meal, completely disregarding her previous solution. This was utterly enraging given that she acted clueless about her original offer of covering the entire bill. At this point we had been waiting for an hour.

Then when we waved her down once again asking why the full bill wouldn’t be covered, she said that her manager would come in “5 minutes” and they had to check the cameras.

Not only did they give the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant, but then totally disrespected our word and basically accused us of making up that there was hairs in our food.

After 15 minutes of waiting, the manager still didn’t come, and we were outraged. All of us had stomachaches, and were ready to get out of there and catch our flight.

Overall, the waitress was kind and supportive. There was a lack of communication overall, and they wasted hours of our limited time and came close to missing a flight. We appreciate the server and how she tried to help us, but the place is a mess from the cooking, to the management, and the whole process was very confusing.

Once again, the waitress was sweet and gave great recommendations from the start, and they are lucky to have her.

Come here if you’re wanting mediocre food with...