Best Brunch In Split: The Definitive Guide
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in the Dalmatian region. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. An intraregional transport hub, Split's greater metropolitan area is home to close to 780,000 people, making it one of the most populous urban areas in Croatia.
The city's golden age came in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was ruled by Venice. During this time, the city grew and prospered, becoming a prominent cultural and artistic center of the Adriatic. A number of artists originating from Split had a great influence on the development of Croatian art in general.
Today, Split is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. It is an important economic center and tourist destination, as well as being home to a number of universities and other institutions of higher education. The city is also a gateway to the beautiful Croatian islands, many of which are accessible only by boat. And, you can't talk about any coastal Croatian city without mentioning the beaches, which are a huge draw for tourists.
Typical Dalmatian cuisine skews toward what some might think of as Mediterranean, with a focus on fresh vegetables, local seafood, and tasty marinated meat. Although it can be tricky to get typical brunch food when you're on vacation, Split has exactly what you want often coupled with a Mediterranean twist. Want scrambled eggs, fried eggs, eggs Benedict, or French toast? They aren't hard to find at all. Need vegan or vegetarian options? No problem. It's easy to get affordable food here that's absolutely delicious and often you can have a view of the sea or Diocletian's Palace while you dine, so what's not to love.
Before you start hauling your bags around the city to seek out the best brunch places, drop your suitcases off at a Bounce storage facility in Split to save yourself the headache. Convenient lockers can be found at the airport or Split Port to keep things simple. Chances are good that you'll be close to one of these spots anyway.
After traveling all the way to Split, Croatia, your stomach is probably growling. Let's get right to our picks for the best brunch restaurants in the city:
Kat's Kitchen Deli
On the edge of Marjan Forest Park and the scenic viewpoint of Marjan Hill. Kat's Kitchen Deli tops our list of the best brunch spots in Split, Croatia. Open daily from 8 am to 3 pm, except on Sunday when they close at 2 pm, this very good restaurant specializes in breakfast, lunch, and everyone's favorite: brunch. Kat's offers both interior and exterior seating in a peaceful garden-like setting, perfect to ease into your day.
The brunch menu here is loaded with various toasts and bowls, and if you prefer something more in line with breakfast, you can get omelets, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and even some vegan sweet pancakes. Add in a savory or sweet fresh-baked croissant and your brunch meal is complete. Kat's Kitchen Deli has many vegetarian-friendly items and ingredients can be added or omitted to suit most diets.
Fig Split
If you go to Split, you simply can't miss brunch at Fig Split. Their location is second-to-none and you'll find this fine dining restaurant located right inside Diocletian's Palace. This one is super easy to squeeze into your sightseeing plans, and they serve breakfast until 12:45 pm. On the Fig Split breakfast menu, everything is vegetarian or vegan. The lunch and dinner menu does contain meat, but for anyone who wants a breakfast full of meat dishes, this isn't your place.
Like a boozy brunch? That's no problem here. Opt for a bloody Mary or Plitvice margarita to take your meal to the next level. Get the vegetarian breakfast burrito with potatoes, eggs, veggies, and various sauces and you'll start your day off right. The French toast is also a great choice. The interior of Fig Split is adorned with charming stone walls and wood tables, and the service is always fantastic. Although its location might have you thinking otherwise, Fig Split is anything but a tourist trap. It offers delicious food at fair prices.
Brasserie on 7
Brasserie on 7 is a casual eatery found right on the Riva, the picturesque waterfront promenade in Split. The outdoor patio is one of the best in the city and has awesome Adriatic Sea views from every table. Couple this with amazing food and you know you have a winner. It also doesn't hurt that there are some great Split shopping locations nearby for after your meal.
The brunch menu at Brasserie 7 includes all your favorites from eggs Benedict to French toast to a traditional full English breakfast. What more do you need to have the best breakfast possible? If you prefer something more in keeping with your travel to Croatia, opt for the Shakshuka which features two poached eggs, a spiced tomato and pepper stew, and greek yogurt. Don't miss out on the breakfast cocktails of an espresso martini or mimosa!
Brasserie on 7 is open daily from 8 am to midnight and if you're thinking about a weekend brunch here, it's best to make a reservation first. Luckily, you can do this online and then just show up and walk straight to your comfortable table.
Bepa!
Less than two minutes on foot from Diocletian's Palace, Bepa! is a wonderful place for brunch either in the cozy (small) interior or on the expansive outdoor patio. Umbrellas offer just the right amount of shade from the hot Croatian sun and they specialize in Mediterranean food made with fresh ingredients. Every plate that comes out of the kitchen is colorful and will have your mouth watering in no time.
The menu at Bepa! is inclusive with meat, vegan, and vegetarian options available. They also offer gluten-free options too. For breakfast, the vegan club is a must. It has vegan eggs, hummus, avocado, and tomatoes. The eggs Benedict is another of their best dishes with poached eggs, smoked ham, and everyone's decadent favorite: hollandaise sauce. Don't forget a refreshing smoothie to fuel you even more for your Split exploring. For more of a lunch feel, they have pasta dishes and seafood dishes as well.
Bokeria Kitchen & Wine
This fine-dining restaurant is located just a ten-minute walk south of the Archaeological Museum, one of the best museums in Split. It's a must-visit spot for any brunch lover. Bokeria stays open every day from 8 am to midnight, so you can stop by almost any time, even if you don't want brunch. They have an extensive wine list and serve many by the glass. Aside from the fact that they offer an excellent brunch experience, Bokeria Kitchen is one of the best wine bars in town.
Large floor-to-ceiling doors open to the outdoor patio so diners have a sense of eating outside even if the patio is full. The lunch menu starts at 12:30 pm, but before then you can enjoy the many egg dishes available for brunch. Try to grab a table outside for the best people-watching to accompany your meal.
Pandora Greenbox
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in Split, Croatia, Pandora Greenbox is also a tasty spot for brunch. Every item from the brunch menu here is presented beautifully, and the decor really leans into the green theme with many plants, wood tables, and large skylights. They are open every day from 8 am to midnight, and offer vegan omelets, scrambled eggs, and other daily specials. Consult the breakfast board when you arrive for anything new that may not yet be on the existing menu.
We recommend one of their acai bowls or the avocado toast which is a twist on the classic with tomatoes, other veggies, and an edible flower for added color and flavor.
Upcafe
Open every day but Sunday from 7 am to 8 pm, Upcafe is a vegan restaurant with a modern vibe and minimalist decor that doubles as a fancy coffee shop. While you won't find common brunch items like scrambled eggs and eggs Benedict here, you will find more traditional central European fare like stews and a vegan goulash with jackfruit.
For anybody who needs their coffee with non-dairy milk, Upcafe has you covered. If you're vegan and traveling to Split, Croatia, Upcafe is a great option. The menu is full of variety from all over the world and the prices for the great food are affordable.
Caffe Bar Dujam
Another of Split's restaurants with a charming patio is Caffe Bar Dujam just steps from the Riva. They are open daily from 8 am to 12 am, and the Dalmatian omelet should be your first choice from the brunch menu. It comes with French toast for a truly satisfying and tasty meal. Accompany this selection with a tasty juice and fresh coffee and you'll surely be back for another brunch before you leave town.
Caffee Dujam has a great view and is also excellent for people-watching. The service is attentive, and the location gets quite busy during peak eating hours. You may have to wait for a table on the weekend for brunch, but it's definitely worth it. Caffee Dujam's proximity to the best places to stay in Split is definitely one of the reasons the restaurant is often crowded, but the view and delicious food keep people coming back.
Zaidy's Deli & Bakery
If you need a low-key and easy brunch in Split, head to Zaidy's. They're open daily from 7 am to 3 pm and offer a selection of mouthwatering pastries, bagels, eggs and omelets, and breakfast entrees. Try the smoked fish platter with a bagel on the side or the potato latkes for more traditional food of the region. Poached eggs or fried eggs are accompanied by a choice of meat, toast, and potatoes for a typical brunch option. The corned beef hash is also very satisfying. Add in a mimosa or an iced coffee to really treat yourself.
When you travel in Europe, it can be tricky to find familiar foods, like the ones we expect at brunch, so Zaidy's is a comforting and familiar restaurant in Split.
Šug Restaurant
With a focus on modern Dalmatian cuisine, Sug Restaurant is a must-try brunch place in Split. The dining room is sleek and they have a small outdoor terrace that fills up fast. Šug in English means sauce or gravy and this eatery takes its sauces seriously. Šug specializes in seafood and meat dishes with few options for vegetarians and vegans. But, if this isn't a concern for you, there's nothing stopping you from heading here the next time you need to eat in Split.
They have light options like scrambled eggs with a salad for breakfast and for more of a bunch or lunch feel, the burgers are some of the best in the city. Don't stop in on a Sunday because they're closed, but every other day from 8 am to 11 pm is fair game.
Conclusion
You won't have to look very far during your travels through Split to find the best breakfast and brunch places. They are scattered throughout the city center and tend to be clustered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian's Palace and the scenic Riva. You can spend your brunch people-watching and taking a view of the Adriatic Sea if you want or sit inside for a cozier and intimate meal.
Chances are, no matter what your brunch preferences are, the restaurants of Split, Croatia can accommodate them. With the exponential increase in tourism to Croatia in the last few years, Split is no longer a hidden gem. But with all these tourists comes a higher demand for amazing restaurants which is definitely an added benefit. Let's just say that on your next trip to Split, you definitely won't go hungry during the brunching hour.
