Eremitaž — Restaurant in Grad Stari Grad

Eremitaz, Stari Grad – A Night to Remember

We were five nights into our sailing trip along the Dalmatian coast, and dinner at Eremitaz in Stari Grad completely blew us away. Hands down, it was one of the best dinner experiences we’ve had on this trip.

Yes, the food was phenomenal. Every dish we tried was prepared with care and packed with flavor. One of the best food we'd had during this trip. But what really made the night unforgettable was everything that surrounded the meal... the people, the place, and the unexpected magic of it all.

What truly set this evening apart was the warm, above‑and‑beyond hospitality. After the last guests had left and things were winding down, the owner came over and casually offered us a private tour of the place. What we thought was just a restaurant turned out to be a space full of history and stories. He walked us through the centuries‑old history of the place and how his family lovingly restored what was once a monastery. He told us that his family has been running Eremitaz for 60 years. The building itself used to be a monastery more than a century ago, completely run down at one point, until his family rebuilt it. He showed us the original hermit’s meditation and prayer space, which isn’t open to the public and now stores their wine and spirits. It felt like being welcomed to their private space. He even walked us across the street to a tiny old church and shared its story too. And he did all this with so much excitement, pride and warmth, just because he wanted to. Not because there was a fee. Just genuine hospitality. The place was clearly more than a business, it was his home and heritage, shared with heart and soul.

It was one of those moments no amount of money can’t buy. Sure, you could pay for a private tour or even rent out the whole restaurant to explore it, but you can’t buy heart. You can’t buy the feeling of being welcomed into someone’s story like that. That’s what we experienced. Priceless!

Our server, Fabian, complemented this warmth. From the moment we sat down, he was personable, professional, and just delightful to talk to. He had the kind of energy that makes you feel instantly comfortable. He gave great recommendations for drinks, answered all our questions about the food, and even indulged our curiosity with mini‑tales of his Stari Grad experience. It felt less like dining and more like catching up with an old friend, with care, conversation, and local insight included.

The setting adds to the enchantment too: a romantic terrace right by the harbor, perfect for sipping local wine and taking in the historic surroundings.

Everything about the evening... food, view, service, and atmosphere, aligned perfectly. If this is what Croatian hospitality looks like, it’s extraordinary. The owner’s daughter was also part of the team and there’s a real sense that Eremitaz is a family-run place. There’s a closeness and care in how everyone works together. The whole evening had the kind of relaxed, joyful energy that stays with you.

This place isn’t just worth visiting. It’s worth remembering. We left with both our bellies and hearts full. And it definitely won’t be our last time here. We sincerely hope Eremitaz continues to flourish for another 60 years and beyond.

We recommend making a reservation...

After hearing about the great food at Eremitaž, we went there for dinner last night. We arrived at around 7:30 pm and were lucky to get a table for five on the roofed terrace without a reservation.

The service throughout the evening was impeccable! All servers were attentive, friendly, and always carried a smile on their face.

The spot seems popular with sailors from the nearby port and people usually stay there for a longer period.

We had two starters, the dalmatian ham and cheese with spicy sausage and olives, and the bruschette (5 pieces, freshly toasted and topped with freshly minced garlic and chopped tomatoes and good olive oil for only €5 per 100g!! I really recommend ordering those!!).

For mains, we had the čepape (well seasoned!), the mixed grilled vegetables as a main portion (apart from this, there aren’t really any vegetarian or vegan friendly main courses), then the dalmatian tuna steak (cooked to perfection, buttery soft at the edges and with a flavorful reduced red wine/plum sauce and cooked pears), grilled veal stuffed with cheese and ham) and a fantastic wild boar stew with gnocchi and a hint of rosemary!

Our waiter even brought us the special house sauce, olive oil with tomatoes and herbs to add to the čevape, the vegetables and even the veal! Once again, phenomenal service!

Even after our filling main courses, we wanted to try the desserts offered and thus, had all of them: the tiramisu, the fried dried figs with ice cream, the creme caramel and a slice of the triple chocolate cake. All of them were perfectly hot or cold and had just the right amount of sweetness.

After around two hours, we decided to head home and will definitely return to try more of...

The setting was very pleasant, and the staff were friendly and fairly attentive. Lovely elevated view over the seafront and a nice atmosphere. However, I was very disappointed with the value for money of my dish. I ordered a grilled octopus plate for €26, which isn’t cheap, but when it arrived the plate looked empty! Just a few tentacles, a small pile of potatoes, and a spoonful of salad! I know octopus is expensive, but at least visually it would have been more tasteful to fill the plate with some salad or another side to make it look generous. For €26, you expect a nice, well-filled plate!

It was the same for my neighbors’ dishes, though less obvious, but overall the portions seemed designed for small appetites…

As for the kids’ menu, there actually isn’t one — they simply halve an adult plate. On a large dish that could work, but since the adult portions were already small, the children ended up with just a few spoonfuls of pasta at the bottom of the plate. That might be fine for a 3- or 4-year-old, but no older.

So you leave with a bit of hunger still in your stomach and a feeling of stinginess… A pity, because the flavor...