Restoran Bruschetta — Restaurant in Grad Zadar

Reviewing this before I've finished the meal. Because I would revisit but hope the reservation system gets automated

The pros:

1. good food - ordered squid ink risotto, creamy prawn soup and tuna steak. Enjoyed them all although the tuna steak was my first so I am not qualified to comment on it. Had the pistachio cheesecake and that was pleasant though not standout.
2. the red-haired waitress that eventually served us was very helpful, and when she came to check on whether we liked our wines and we told her that we enjoyed them both but couldn't comment on them separately as we weren't told which white wine was which, she remedied that by bringing two more glasses and apologising.
3. food was served fast enough, within half an hour.

The consultant:

1. it took half an hour to place our order- they don't come to your table so you have to flag them down, and the first guy we called said 'moment' and then never returned
2. the reservation system is by phone only- I booked a few months in advance (a lady called Helena answered the phone) and when I called today the guy on the phone said they never received the booking and that our reservation couldn't have been at 9.30 pm because it's the time the kitchen closes. I asked for his name but he didn't want to give it and he didn't take my reservation details, saying 'just come' before he put down the phone. Glad they squeezed us in anyway as the food was good but would hope I can secure a table in future for a bigger group. Or I might try 4 kantuna around the corner which apparently also has squid ink risotto and has a higher...

This is regarded as the best restaurant in Zadar by many - after two visits, I would not disagree.

Focusing on sea food, which we went for owing to the truly exceptional quality, they also have meat, salads and pizza.

First, the sea food. We had the warty venus clams which were worth every euro. These are the best clams I have ever eaten.

Second, we had the platter for two with marinated red mullet - a popular fish on the Adriatic, with beautiful fish pates, unbelievable octopus and some rare tuna. A great starter.

Second visit we had the mussels which were very good.

However, we had the scampi buzara. I cannot rate this dish highly enough. Utterly sensational sauce - rich, thick and embellished with a stock made from the crustaceans I was told. This is the adriatic on a plate.

Wine choices were local and excellent- see my other posts on Croatian wine which utterly superb in my view and is not often exported with good reason - the domestic market is buoyant and production generally on a smaller scale.

Service was first class - very attentive but not over-bearing. We had the best time with our waiter and we have made friends over some plum brandy 🙂.

We didn't have dessert as our two courses were sufficient but these looked good.

You must book here if you can - it is packed out all the time from lunch to dinner. They have a later sitting from around 21.30 hours however if you are like myself and like to dine a little later.

This is not to be missed in my opinion and thank you to all at Brushetta for some fine dining...

Let me tell you about the incredible meal I had at Restaurant Bruschetta in Zadar. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with the aroma of delicious food and the sound of glasses clinking together. I knew I was in for a treat.

For my main course, I ordered the Black risotto (squid), it was a flavor explosion in my mouth. The squid was perfectly cooked and mixed in with the black risotto to create a dish that was both savory and satisfying. Every bite was packed with flavor and I couldn't get enough.

But that's not all. The panna cotta for dessert was absolutely divine. It was creamy, smooth, and had just the right amount of sweetness. The texture was perfect, and it melted in my mouth like a dream.

And let's not forget about the local beer, San Servolo. It was the perfect accompaniment to my meal, with just the right amount of hops and a crisp finish. It was so refreshing that I ordered another one, just to savor the taste a bit longer.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and tasteful decor. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure that I had everything I needed to enjoy my meal. It was clear that they take great pride in their food and service, and it definitely showed in the quality of my experience.

Overall, I would highly recommend Restaurant Bruschetta to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Zadar. The dishes were outstanding, the beer was great, and the service was top-notch. It's a true gem in the city, and I can't wait to go...