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What to eat in Croatia? Top 22 Croatian Cheeses

Last update: Sat Feb 15 2025
Top 22 Croatian Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Croatian Cheese Types

01
Paški sir
Paški sir infographic
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Paški sir is a hard Croatian cheese originating from the island of Pag. The cheese is made from milk of the Pag sheep. The harsh bura wind dusts the island with sea salt, flavoring various herbs (such as immortelle, sage, and sea fennel) on which the sheep graze, and as a result their milk has a unique flavor.


This award-winning cheese is characterized by a dry, flaky, grainy, and crumbly texture, and a tangy, salty flavor. The cheese is typically rubbed with ash and olive oil, and it's then left to mature for at least four months. As it matures, the tangy and savory flavors become even stronger. 
THE BEST Paški sir Cheeses
1 Paški Sir
Paška Sirana
Paški Sir

5.0

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Global Cheese Awards - Gold 2019, 2023

2 Paški Sir (pdo)
Sirana Gligora
Paški Sir (pdo)

4.8

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World Cheese Awards - Gold 2022

3 Paški Sir (pdo) Extra Mature
Sirana Gligora
Paški Sir (pdo) Extra Mature

4.7

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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars 2021, 2022, 2023

02

Cheese

PRIMORJE AND LIKA, Croatia
4.1
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Škripavac is a Croatian cheese made from raw cows' milk, characterized by its fresh aroma and a soft, gummy-like texture. The flavors are mild, milky, and slightly sweet. The cheese is named after the Croatian word for squeaky, because škripavac makes a distinctive sound when bitten into it. Škripavac is almost always made from the milk of Buša breed of cows - they are well adapted to the Lika region, where the cheese is produced.


It's recommended to eat it on its own, with a few slices of homemade bread, although the cheese can also be grilled for a true gourmet experience.

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03
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Dinarski sir is a Croatian hard cheese produced in the Dinaric mountain region, hence the name. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The first cheese was made in 2009, when there was too much leftover goat’s milk that was intended for the production of Kozlar cheese, so Šime Gligora combined it with cow’s milk, and Dinarski sir was born.


Its texture is crumbly, compact, firm, and dense, while the flavors are rich, nutty, and grassy. For a unique experience, pair it with marinated anchovies and a glass of Zlatan Plavac.

VARIATIONS OF Dinarski sir
04

Cheese

PAG, Croatia
4.0
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Paška skuta is a traditional ricotta-type cheese produced on the island of Pag. The skuta is made from leftover whey after the production of the famous and award-winning Paški sir. The curd is separated and drained, usually overnight, and the result is a soft and fresh cheese with a unique mild and gentle flavor coming from the milk of the indigenous Pag sheep (Paška ovca).


This fresh skuta is low in fat and it's full of healthy Omega-3, protein, calcium, and zinc. The cheese is very versatile and it's recommended to use it in cheese cakes or flavor it with orange liqueur and serve it with fresh fruit. Paška skuta is especially good for liver regeneration, and on the island of Pag, while the strong bura wind blew over the landscape, people would often begin their day with a cup of black coffee with pieces of skuta placed inside of it.

05

Cheese

LIKA-SENJ COUNTY, Croatia
3.8
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Basa is a unique Croatian cheese that is typically produced from the buša cow breed in the region of Lika, although it can contain sheep's milk as well. This soft cheese has a delicately creamy texture and can also be used as a spread or as an accompaniment to charcuterie products or baked potatoes.


Basa is most commonly made by combining varenika (boiled and chilled milk), sour milk, and salt. When the mixture becomes stiff, the whey is drained, and basa is wrapped in a cloth to drain completely. All that is left is to enjoy the delicious flavors and textures of this exceptional Croatian product.

06

Cheese

BJELOVAR-BILOGORA COUNTY, Croatia
3.3
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Bjelovarski kvargl is a traditional, handmade Croatian cheese hailing from the Bjelovar-Bilogora County. The cheese is made from drained cow's milk that's mixed with salt, paprika, and sometimes garlic. It's then shaped into pointed cones (more pointed than similar cheese Prgica and Turoš) which are subsequently dried and smoked.


The smoking and drying process extends kvargl's shelf life. The texture is dense, firm, and dry. When sliced, a pinkish color with white grains is clearly visible on the cross-section. There is a pronounced aroma of paprika and smoke, while the flavors are mildly acidic and slightly piquant.

07

Cheese

ISTRIA, Croatia
n/a
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Istarska skuta is a Croatian cheese hailing from Istria. This white curd cheese made from full-fat cow's milk or sheep's milk whey is soft, supple, and creamy in texture. The aromas are creamy and the flavors are mild. The sheep's milk version is stronger than cow's milk version, with a recognizable aromatic scent.


The sheep's milk version is also somewhat grainier than cow's milk skuta. The cheese can be spread on bread and it's also often used as an accompaniment or an ingredient in various savory and sweet dishes, from appetizers to desserts. When heat treated, istarska skuta keeps its creamy texture. 
08
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Dinarski sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterlands around Dinara mountain. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The cheese is aged for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.


Its texture is compact, dense, firm, flaky, and crystalline, while the flavors are grassy, earthy, and milky.

09
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Težački sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterland. It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. The cheese is very aromatic due to the fact that it ages for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.


It develops an open and supple texture, while the flavors are quite robust. It is recommended to pair this artisan cheese with a glass of Chardonnay (white) or Plavac Mali (red).

10

Cheese

GROBNIK, Croatia
n/a
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Grobnički sir is a Croatian cheese produced in the Grobnik valley, near the city of Rijeka. It is made from sheep's milk and has a cylindrical shape. The cheese is chalky-white in color and hard and granulated in texture, filled with numerous circular or elliptical eyes throughout its body.


The flavor is very salty, yet pleasant. Grobnik cheese matures in brine for up to one year, so it doesn't have a rind. It is recommended to consume it as an appetizer with local ham.

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11
Cheese
DALMATIA, Croatia
n/a
12
Cheese
KRK, Croatia
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Croatian Cheese Producers

01

Cheese

POREČ, Croatia
5.0
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Agrolaguna, based in Porec, Croatia, is a producer of cheese, wine, and olive oil. The company manages significant agricultural activities, including dairy farming, which contributes to its cheese production. Agrolaguna's cheeses are made from the milk of cows grazed in local pastures, reflecting the regional characteristics and flavors of Istria.


These products are sold under the Lagune brand, with a variety of cheese types catering to different tastes and preferences.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

02

Cheese

ZADAR, Croatia
5.0
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Sirana Gligora, located in Croatia, specializes in producing artisan cheeses primarily from sheep's milk. The company was founded by Ivan Gligora in 1995 on the island of Pag. They are notably recognized for their flagship cheese, Paški sir, a hard sheep's milk cheese awarded internationally for its quality.


Sirana Gligora uses traditional cheese-making techniques integrated with modern technology.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

BEST Sirana Gligora Cheeses
03

Cheese

PAG, Croatia
5.0
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Paška Sirana is a cheese producer located on the island of Pag in Croatia. They specialize in producing sheep's milk cheese, particularly the traditional Pag cheese, known locally as Paški sir. This cheese is noted for its distinct flavor, which derives from the unique diet of the sheep on the island's aromatic herbs.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

BEST Paška Sirana Cheeses
04

Cheese

ISTRIA, Croatia
4.9
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BEST Vesna Loborika Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Croatian Cheeses

01
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

02
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Paški Sir, made by Paška Sirana, is a renowned sheep's milk cheese originating from the island of Pag in Croatia. Known for its distinct flavor, Paški Sir is crafted using milk from local sheep that graze on the aromatic Mediterranean herbs and salty grasses native to Pag's rocky landscape.


This unique diet imparts a rich and savory taste to the cheese, characterized by its slightly crumbly texture and a taste that combines sweet, salty, and piquant notes. Aged for several months, Paški Sir develops a hard, golden-yellow rind and a creamy, dense interior, making it a favorite in Croatian cuisine and a sought-after delicacy internationally.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

03
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AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2021

04
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Liburjan is a product made by Sirana Gligora, a renowned dairy located on the island of Pag in Croatia. This cheese is notable for its high-quality ingredients and traditional production methods that have earned the dairy numerous awards and recognition both domestically and internationally.


Sirana Gligora is celebrated for producing artisanal cheeses that reflect the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the region.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2021

05
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Miješani sir u orahovom lišču is a product made by Agrolaguna. This mixed cheese is wrapped in walnut leaves, which imparts a unique flavor and preserves the cheese naturally. The cheese is known for its rich texture and aromatic profile, making it a specialty item in local and regional markets.


This product exemplifies traditional cheese-making techniques combined with modern production standards, reflecting the company's commitment to quality.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

06
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

07
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AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

08
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Naturally smoked cow milk cheese made by Sirana Gligora is crafted using high-quality cow’s milk. This cheese undergoes a traditional smoking process, imparting a distinctive, rich, and smoky flavor that enhances its creamy texture. Sirana Gligora, a renowned Croatian cheese producer, ensures that the cheese is aged to perfection to develop its unique taste profile.


The cheese pairs well with various wines and is a favorite for both culinary uses and as part of a cheese platter.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

09
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Istarski ovčji sir, produced by Agrolaguna, is an artisanal sheep cheese from the Istrian region. Known for its rich and creamy texture, it is made using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. This cheese is typically aged for several months to develop its distinctive flavor, characterized by a slightly tangy and nutty profile.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

10
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Istarski miješani sir is a cheese produced by Agrolaguna, a company based in Istria, Croatia. This cheese combines cow, sheep, and goat milk, reflecting the diverse dairy farming traditions of the region. It is known for its rich and complex flavor profile, which includes a mix of mild and slightly sharp notes, making it versatile in culinary use.


Istarski miješani sir is appreciated for its semi-hard texture and slight crumbliness, making it suitable for slicing as well as grating over dishes. This product is often celebrated as a testament to the rich agricultural and dairy-producing heritage of Istria.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Croatian Cheeses