Restaurant Terracotta — Restaurant in Grad Zadar

Three of us visited Terracotta during our brief stay in Zadar. It was our first seafood meal in Dalmatia. While the food was lovely, the service left much to be desired.

We chose to sit in the square nearby the restaurant, and were assigned to sit at a small, cramped table. We could not help noticing that every other table had far more space - there was a couple lounging near the square, occupying two tables themselves, and all other companies of three had two tables to themselves. Since we were sharing our food, we asked our waiter, Sasa, if we could have the adjacent table as well. He did not seem too keen on this idea but agreed to give us that table as well eventually. After we had made our order, he made a snide comment that “you need an extra table just for that?” It didn’t seem like a joke - he wasn’t smiling at all.

When the food finally arrived after a long wait, there was barely enough space for all of it despite the extra table. Sasa complained again that we had taken up an extra table that could be used for other customers. This was despite there being at least two other tables available just next to us, and the fact that almost every other patron was seated at a table with at least one empty chair each. I’m not sure why we warranted such differential poor treatment - perhaps because we were the only Asians in the restaurant? We could only speculate.

To the chef’s credit, the food was decent. The black risotto was wonderfully flavored. The sea bass was perfectly cooked and very fresh, and came with a delicious in-house sauce. The mussels were perhaps a tad overcooked, but the saffron base was well done.

Unfortunately, the poor service had left such a bad taste in our mouths that could not be offset by even the best food in the world. It was a far cry from the friendly and helpful service we generally encountered elsewhere in Croatia especially along the Dalmatian coast, and was overall a disappointing and...

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. We were absolutely blown away by the quality of food and atmosphere of this restaurant. It's tucked in a quiet corner of the old town but don't let that deceive you - by the evening, it's a bustling hub of activity and you'd be lucky to find a table. We were fortunate to venture over in the late afternoon and were given a table without a reservation.

The host and owner (unfortunately we didn't catch his name) was very amiable and clearly passionate and knowledgeable about the food and the area. It was clear that he passed that on to his team around him. Everything we were served was local and fresh and he could tell us the provenance of each ingredient - right down to the olive oil that was served with the delicious bread.

The food was the level of fine dining, but without the dress code and pomp that usually accompanies it. The relaxed nature of Zadar certainly comes through. The host was even happy to take requests for changing elements of their dishes, such as when one of our party asked to swap the traditional pasta for a green tagliatelle.

One piece of advice is to leave space for dessert. Although the amazing Bob Rocks ice cream and waffles are around the corner, the dessert menu at Terracotta was very special. I thought myself too full for a dessert until I heard the host describe the tiramisu! Each of our desserts came with a glass of a specially blended wine that was made from 3 wines and the local favourite Maraschino (as an aside, if you've not tried Maraschino, you're missing out). We were informed that the blend was deliberately a little tart to allow for the natural sweetness of the desserts to come through, and we could certainly taste that - even with the touch of sourness of using mascarpone in the panna cotta.

Be sure to make a reservation at Terracotta and you won't be...

During my visit to Zadar, I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Terracotta, a cozy establishment nestled in the heart of the city's vibrant center. From the moment we walked in, the welcoming atmosphere set the tone for what was to be a delightful evening.

The staff at Terracotta speaks excellent English and their attentiveness and helpfulness were apparent throughout our meal. They were keen to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was perfect, adding a personal touch that made us feel particularly valued.

For our main course, we indulged in a perfectly cooked steak that was both juicy and flavorful. The highlight of our meal, however, was the lavender crème brûlée—a unique and delicious twist on a classic dessert. The lavender infused a subtle floral note that paired wonderfully with the rich, creamy texture of the crème brûlée.

To top off our dining experience, the owner graciously offered us complimentary drinks, which were a delightful conclusion to our meal. This gesture of hospitality underscored the restaurant's commitment to exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

I highly recommend Restaurant Terracotta to anyone visiting Zadar. Its central location makes it an easy choice for both locals and tourists looking to enjoy a meal in the picturesque old town. Whether you're there for the steak or the inventive desserts, Terracotta promises an enjoyable and memorable...