MAIN INGREDIENTS
Out of the numerous varieties of Croatian brudet, the one that hails from the Neretva region is considered unique since it usually employs eels and frogs, two traditional ingredients used in the area. It is said that every village in the region has a different recipe, but the basic version employs thoroughly cleaned pieces of eels and frogs that are sautéed alongside olive oil, onions, and garlic.
They are later braised in a combination of seafood stock, fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, and a touch of vinegar. Though tradition suggests the use of eels and frogs, the dish is commonly enriched with other fish varieties. Regardless of the differences, every version of brudet is always prepared in a traditional, heavy-bottomed pan and should never be stirred.
MOST ICONIC Neretvanski brudet
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Pijani šaran (lit. drunken carp) is an unusually named, traditional dish of the Croatian region of Slavonia and Baranya. The gutted, cleaned carp is traditionally salted and stuffed with numerous garlic cloves, then baked in an oven with flavorings such as lemon juice, wine, oil, and rosemary.
The dish is typically garnished with lemon slices and parsley, while baked potatoes are often used as an accompaniment to this delicious and healthy meal. Although drunken carp is not a common restaurant staple outside of the region, it is quite easy to prepare the dish at home.
MOST ICONIC Pijani šaran
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Fiš paprikaš (or hal paprikas in Hungary, with the addition of sour cream) is a traditional stew cooked in a big cauldron over an open fire. This spicy fish stew is traditionally made with a variety of freshwater fish such as catfish, starlet, pike, and carp.
The stew is heavily flavored with large amounts of the region's staple – ground red paprika, which can range from mild to very hot. Fiš paprikaš is often served with homemade noodles, and it is so popular in the region that there are numerous fiš cooking competitions organized throughout the year.
MOST ICONIC Fiš paprikaš
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
This simple fish stew with potatoes is said to be the oldest way of preparing fish in Dalmatia and was probably brought to the area by Greek settlers more than 2000 years ago, although potatoes are a local modification because they were introduced considerably later.
Traditionally, the dish is made by layering together thinly sliced potatoes and onions which are then drizzled with olive oil, topped with smaller white saltwater fish, and cooked in just enough water and white wine to cover the fish—usually with the addition of parsley and garlic, whereas modern recipes often include ingredients such as capers and salted anchovies.
MOST ICONIC Gregada
View moreTasteAtlas 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. For the “4 Worst Rated Croatian Seafood Dishes” list until March 26, 2025, 1,404 ratings were recorded, of which 859 were recognized by the system as legitimate. 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.