Zlatna Školjka
Price guide: Mid-range
P.Hektorovića 8, Hvar Town, 21450
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expert-rated restaurants in Hvar- Recommended for:
- Couples, Culture vultures, Foodies, Honeymooners, Mature travellers, History, Romance, Sightseeing
Expert review of Zlatna Školjka
A Slow Food restaurant in a romantic courtyard in the heart of Hvar Town.
I’ve always been a fan of the Slow Food movement (an organisation opposed to fast food, founded in Italy in 1986), so I was immediately enthusiastic when I saw the Slow Food sign of the snail on the door at Zlatna Školjka (Golden Shell). Run by robust bearded local chef Ivo Buzolić, it occupies the lovely courtyard of a 14th-century stone palazzo in Hvar’s old town, and everything on offer is fresh, seasonal and locally-produced.
Food and drink:
Ivo creates unusual dishes, combining local products and spices with some unexpected twists. The menu changes frequently, but recent successes include fish carpaccio served on fried rocket; gnocchi with goats' cheese; grilled fish with Hvar pesto made from honey, dried figs, goats cheese, almonds, mint and basil; lamb with coconut sauce; sirloin steak stuffed with goats' cheese and capers; and amberjack in white wine and herb sauce. Everything is beautifully presented, and there’s an excellent selection of local wines too.
Recommended dishes:
To try a bit of everything, opt for the degustation menu with matching wines.
Ambience:
Seating is limited to 35 guests, so there’s a peaceful, relaxed and intimate atmosphere. The food is prepared in an open-plan kitchen, so you can watch the chef at work from your table.
Service:
Ivo likes to give all his guests individual attention - before you order, he’ll come to your table and help you choose which dishes are most likely to appeal to you. Each course will then arrive in its own time, this being part of the Slow Food philosophy. Your waiter will recommend which wines will best complement the dishes you have chosen.
Location:
It's in a narrow stone alley one block back from the main square, a five-minute walk from Hotel Park, in pedestrian-only Hvar Town.
Price advice:
It's not cheap but the general consensus is that it's well worth the splurge. Expect to pay around 650 kuna for a three-course meal for two people with a bottle of wine.
More information on Zlatna Školjka:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant
- Food:
- Mediterranean, Modern, Traditional
- Address:
- P.Hektorovića 8, Hvar Town, 21450
- Telephone:
- 098 1688797
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- April-November: Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 7pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 7pm-midnight.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Suggested
