Where to Eat in Split Right Now: 5 Trending Restaurants Locals Love
From hidden newcomers to waterfront heavy-hitters, these are Split’s most talked-about tables in 2025.
Split’s food scene has quietly exploded, mixing Dalmatian comfort cooking with modern bistros, seafood temples, and late-night energy. This guide spotlights 5 restaurants that are trending hard right now for their buzz, ratings, and neighborhood vibes, so you can book the right table instead of wandering the Riva hungry.
Where to Eat in Split Right Now: 5 Trending Restaurants Locals Love
Split’s food scene is in full glow-up mode, with creative chefs, polished service, and a serious focus on local ingredients. This guide highlights the restaurants that are actually trending now, based on ratings, review momentum, and how often locals are talking about them.
Use it to plan a weekend of eating or to pick one perfect dinner near Diocletian’s Palace.
Restoran Triton Split - New kid with serious fine-dining energy
Why it is trending: Restoran Triton Split is new on the scene and already sitting on a 4.9 rating with almost no marketing, which is exactly the kind of under-the-radar place MapsBuddy was built to surface. Locals are whispering about it as a future fine-dining reference point rather than a tourist trap.
Tucked away from the busiest tourist corridors, Triton leans into a modern Dalmatian style: seasonal seafood, clean plating, and a short, confident menu instead of a 10-page booklet. Expect thoughtful details like house-infused oils, precise wine pairings, and servers who actually know where the fish was caught.
Best for:
- A special night that still feels relaxed
- Food-focused travelers who want something newer than the classic old-town spots
- Couples who care about wine lists and quiet conversation
What to order:
- A tasting-style progression if offered (they often suggest a chef-led sequence)
- Whatever whole fish is recommended that day
- A local white wine from Dalmatia to match the seafood
Pro tip: Book ahead for weekend evenings. The dining room is not huge, and once word spreads, this will be one of the hardest reservations in Split.
Croque Madame - Late-night bistro with French flair
Why it is trending: Croque Madame keeps a strong 4.7 rating with steady review growth, which is impressive for a spot that is no longer “new.” It is trending again as more travelers look beyond the Riva for character-filled bistros with a bit of nightlife energy.
This is the place where Split’s casual crowd ends up when they want real food plus a vibe. Think French-inspired comfort dishes, rich sauces, and plates that work just as well at 7 pm as they do near midnight. The interior is cozy with a touch of retro Paris, while the crowd mixes locals, off-duty hospitality workers, and in-the-know visitors.
Best for:
- Late dinners after a long beach day
- Small groups who want to share plates and linger
- Travelers staying just outside the old town who want a go-to neighborhood spot
What to order:
- Their signature croque-style sandwiches or toasties
- A hearty main like steak or a daily special
- A glass of wine or an easygoing cocktail to match the bistro vibe
Pro tip: If you are arriving late in Split and everything on the waterfront looks packed or touristy, Croque Madame is a smart backup plan that still feels like a find.
ADRIATIC sushi • oyster • seafood - High-energy seafood powerhouse
Why it is trending: With more than 5,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating, ADRIATIC sushi • oyster • seafood is not a secret, but its growth score shows it keeps winning new fans instead of resting on reputation. In 2025, it is the go-to recommendation when someone says “I want a big seafood night in Split.”
ADRIATIC is all about abundance and variety. You get the full spectrum: Adriatic oysters, Croatian fish, and a surprisingly strong sushi program for a Mediterranean city. The space is busy and upbeat rather than hushed, which makes it ideal if you like a bit of buzz with dinner.
Best for:
- First-time visitors who want a one-stop seafood experience
- Mixed groups where some want sushi and others want classic grilled fish
- Celebrations that call for platters, bubbles, and photos
What to order:
- Oyster selection to start
- A mixed seafood platter or sashimi set for the table
- Grilled octopus or daily catch if you want something more traditional
Pro tip: This place gets crowded in peak season. Reserve ahead and ask for a slightly earlier or later time slot if you want a calmer atmosphere.
Restoran K.užina - Elevated home-style Dalmatian comfort
Why it is trending: Restoran K.užina keeps climbing with a 4.7 rating and a solid growth score, driven mostly by word of mouth. Locals praise it for feeling like a family kitchen that grew up into a modern restaurant, not a tourist formula.
The focus here is on Dalmatian comfort food done with care. Think slow-cooked meats, rich stews, and vegetables that actually taste like someone’s grandmother made them. The interior is warm and unfussy, and the staff is happy to walk you through the menu if you are new to Croatian dishes.
Best for:
- Travelers who want to taste “real” local food without going far from the city
- Cooler evenings when you are craving something hearty
- Curious eaters who like learning about traditional recipes
What to order:
- Pašticada or any slow-braised beef if available
- Daily specials that highlight seasonal produce
- A carafe of local red wine to match the richer dishes
Pro tip: Ask the staff which dishes are most typical for Split and Dalmatia. You will get a mini food history lesson with your meal.
LAGANINI seafood • pasta • steak - Crowd-pleasing favorite with staying power
Why it is trending: LAGANINI seafood • pasta • steak has a massive review base, a 4.8 rating, and keeps gaining momentum. It is trending because it nails the balance between tourist-friendly and genuinely good, so locals still recommend it to visiting friends.
The menu is broad but focused: fresh seafood, generous pasta portions, and well-executed steaks. That mix makes it ideal when nobody at the table can agree on what to eat. The atmosphere is relaxed but polished, with staff who handle big groups and families without missing a beat.
Best for:
- Mixed groups and families
- Travelers who want one reliable “we can eat anything here” option
- A relaxed dinner after walking the old town or Riva
What to order:
- Black risotto or a seafood pasta for a taste of the coast
- Steak if you are taking a break from fish
- A shared dessert to finish, especially if you sat outside and lingered
Pro tip: LAGANINI can fill up with groups, so reserve if you are more than two people, especially in high season evenings.
How to choose the right Split restaurant for your night
- For a special, chef-driven dinner: Restoran Triton Split
- For late-night bistro energy: Croque Madame
- For a big seafood feast and sushi: ADRIATIC sushi • oyster • seafood
- For classic Dalmatian comfort: Restoran K.užina
- For an easy crowd-pleaser: LAGANINI seafood • pasta • steak
Wherever you book, aim for reservations in peak summer and shoulder seasons. Split’s restaurant scene is hotter than ever, and walk-in tables vanish fast.
Why use MapsBuddy for Split’s restaurant scene
Split changes quickly, and the best meals are not always at the places with the loudest marketing. MapsBuddy tracks ratings, growth, and real visitor buzz to highlight restaurants that are trending before they go fully mainstream.
Use this guide as your shortlist, then open MapsBuddy in Split to see live trends, nearby hidden gems, and new openings around wherever you are standing.
Places featured in this guide
1. Restoran Triton Split
Put Trstenika 19, 21000, Split, Croatia
2. Croque Madame
Ul. Hrvatske Mornarice 1j, 21000, Split, Croatia
3. ADRIATIC sushi • oyster • seafood
Carrarina poljana 4, 21000, Split, Croatia
4. Restoran K.užina
Ul. Kraj Svete Marije 1, 21000, Split, Croatia
5. LAGANINI seafood • pasta • steak
Ulica Kraj Svetog Ivana 2, 21000, Split, Croatia