A Taste of Zaton: What's New in the Resort's Gastronomy for 2026
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A Taste of Zaton: What's New in the Resort's Gastronomy for 2026

21.08.2026

About Zaton Holiday Resort

Gastronomy at Zaton Holiday Resort brings together Mediterranean cuisine, Croatian specialities, restaurants, cafés and bars to create diverse dining experiences for guests throughout the 2026 season.

Located near Zadar in Dalmatia, Croatia, the resort makes dining part of the wider holiday experience through local cuisine, flexible meal options and family-friendly choices.

Discover Zaton's Gastronomy in 2026

The 2026 season brings five new and refreshed gastronomy concepts to Zaton Holiday Resort, further expanding the culinary offer from traditional Dalmatian dining to beachside drinks, café breaks and casual snacks.

  • Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant introduces a regional menu built around Adriatic seafood, homemade pasta and Dalmatian specialities
  • Maestral Restaurant & Pub brings casual dining by the sea with BBQ dishes, fried calamari and house pinsa
  • Piazza Caffè Bar brings coffee, smoothies, signature cocktails, spritzes and other refreshing drinks to Kalelarga, the resort’s main promenade
  • Breeze Snack Bar offers coffee and refreshing drinks by the sea
  • Zatonino Snack Box provides sweets, frozen drinks and quick snacks at two convenient locations throughout the resort

Breeze Snack Bar with relaxed beachfront seating and views of the Adriatic Sea at Zaton Holiday Resort

Where to Eat at Zaton Holiday Resort: Restaurants, Bars and Cafés

The best choice depends on whether you are looking for half-board dining, Dalmatian specialities, Italian cuisine, traditional grill dishes or a casual beachside meal.

Dining options include:

  • Mercato Buffet Restaurant for half-board dining
  • Bellini Gelateria & Cafeteria for à la carte breakfast and coffee
  • Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant for regional dining
  • Gradele Grill Bar for traditional grill dishes
  • Ventula Restaurant & Lounge for Italian cuisine and seafood
  • Maestral Restaurant & Pub for casual dining by the Adriatic Sea

Explore all restaurants, bars and cafés at Zaton Holiday Resort to find the dining option that best fits your stay.

Breakfast Options

Mornings at Zaton can begin with either a full buffet breakfast or a lighter à la carte option. At Mercato Buffet Restaurant, half-board guests can choose from a varied breakfast buffet suited to different preferences, with spreads, bakery products, hot and cold drinks, eggs prepared in different ways, bacon, cheeses, cold cuts and more.

For guests who prefer a slower start or do not need a full buffet, Bellini Gelateria & Cafeteria serves à la carte breakfast with sweet pastries, savoury bites and coffee.

Guests staying in the Glamping Villas also have a dedicated breakfast option at Maestral Restaurant & Pub.

Lunch and Dinner Options

Lunch and dinner at Zaton Holiday Resort range from Dalmatian seafood and traditional grill dishes to Italian pasta and pizza, plus pub-style favourites.

At Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant, the menu ranges from fresh Adriatic tuna tartare and Nin-style shrimp carpaccio to homemade šurlice with shrimp and parsley-pistachio pesto. Gradele Grill Bar focuses on ćevapčići served with ajvar and flatbread, gourmet pljeskavica and a rotating selection of cooked dishes.

Ventula Restaurant & Lounge combines Italian favourites with Adriatic influences in dishes such as shrimp linguine, spaghetti aglio e olio, grilled squid with Dalmatian-style Swiss chard and a choice of pizzas. At Maestral Restaurant & Pub, the menu shifts towards pub-style comfort food with BBQ ribs, fried calamari and house pinsa.

Beachside dining at Maestral Restaurant & Pub with casual dishes and refreshing drinks overlooking the Adriatic Sea

Coffee, Cocktails and Snacks

Across the resort's beach bars, pool bars and cafés, guests can choose from coffee, cocktails, snacks, desserts and refreshing drinks between activities.

For coffee and alcohol-free refreshments

Bellini Gelateria & Cafeteria, Piazza Caffè Bar, Summer Splash and Breeze Snack Bar offer coffee, while Summer Splash and Breeze also have iced teas and fruit-based drinks. At Zatonino Snack Box, the choice includes iced coffee, Slushy drinks, Boba iced tea, milkshakes and frozen drinks.

For cocktails

Piazza Caffè Bar offers cocktails and spritzes, while Summer Splash ranges from classic cocktails to alcohol-free options. Breeze Snack Bar features signature drinks such as Matcha'holic and Spicy Mangorita. Pine Burgers & Bites pairs casual food with cocktails.

For quick savoury snacks

Zatonino Snack Box provides grab-and-go snacks, BLUE Surf & Fry focuses on nachos and fried seafood, and Pine Burgers & Bites offers prosciutto panini and burgers. Mimosa Social Bar & Kitchen combines salads and burgers with seafood snacks.

For desserts and sweet treats

Bellini Gelateria & Cafeteria specialises in pancakes, waffles, cakes and sundaes, while Maestral serves apple strudel, pancakes and lava cake. Zatonino Snack Box adds bubble waffles, ice cream and cotton candy.

Family breakfast at Bellini Gelateria & Cafeteria at Zaton Holiday Resort with waffles, pancakes and drinks

Guests looking for a poolside option can also choose Ventula Lounge, where they can enjoy cocktails, homemade iced tea and other cold refreshments.

Family-Friendly Dining

Family dining at Zaton Holiday Resort includes buffet meals, takeaway and restaurants with dishes prepared specifically for younger guests.

Practical choices for families include:

  • Mercato Buffet Restaurant offers a varied breakfast and dinner selection, making it easier for family members to choose different dishes
  • PRESTO – take out offers pizzas, chicken wok, salads, burgers and fried fish or chicken for families who prefer to eat at their accommodation
  • Ventula has a dedicated Kid's Corner with pasta in tomato sauce, chicken fingers and a children's cheeseburger
  • Oliva offers a children's selection with chicken nuggets, grilled chicken fillet and pasta with tomato sauce
  • Maestral's Kids' Corner includes chicken strips, spaghetti Milanese and fish and chips

Whether staying in apartments, camping homes, the Glamping Village or on a camping pitch, families can find practical dining choices without leaving the resort.

The Zaton App provides resort maps, activities, daily events and useful services that can help guests plan dining around the rest of their day.

Croatian and Mediterranean Cuisine at Zaton Holiday Resort

Dalmatian cuisine at Zaton Holiday Resort is shaped by local ingredients, traditional recipes and Adriatic influences.

At Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant, the menu includes Pag cheese and ricotta, Nin šokol, salted anchovies from Hvar and Nin-style shrimp carpaccio. Adriatic seafood includes tuna, octopus, locally sourced squid, scampi and mussels, while olive oil is central to Mediterranean and Dalmatian cooking. Oliva also serves veal or Pag lamb prepared under the bell (peka), available by advance order.

Plated lamb dish at Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant with herb crust and traditional side dish

Croatian wines such as Pošip and Korčulanka from Korčula, Kraljevski vinogradi rosé from Zadar and Plavac add another regional element to the meal.

These dishes and wines bring the wider Dalmatian region to the table.

How Dining Fits into a Holiday at Zaton

Good food makes a holiday more memorable by giving families and friends time to come together, share the day and enjoy time around the table.

  • Breakfast gives everyone a chance to start the day together before heading to the beach, pools or activities
  • Lunch creates a natural pause after swimming, sports or time in the sun
  • Dinner gives families and friends time to slow down, share the day and enjoy the evening together

Across the resort, these shared meals fit naturally around beach time, family activities, sports and evening entertainment.

A coffee before the day's activities, dessert after dinner or a drink at sunset can become a simple highlight of the stay.

Explore Zaton's restaurants, bars and culinary experiences, and plan your stay at Zaton Holiday Resort.

Family dining at Ventula Restaurant & Lounge with parents and children enjoying a meal outdoors

FAQ

What's new in the gastronomy at Zaton Holiday Resort in 2026?

The 2026 season introduces five new and refreshed gastronomy concepts: Oliva Dalmatian Traditional Restaurant, Maestral Restaurant & Pub, Piazza Caffè Bar, Breeze Snack Bar and Zatonino Snack Box.

What dining options at Zaton Holiday Resort are available throughout the day?

Dining options at Zaton Holiday Resort include half-board meals, à la carte restaurants, breakfast cafés, takeaway, beachside dining, bars and snack stops.

Where can guests try Croatian and Dalmatian cuisine at Zaton Holiday Resort?

Choose Oliva for Dalmatian specialities and Adriatic seafood, Gradele for Croatian grill dishes, and Ventula for Mediterranean and Italian-inspired pasta and seafood.

Which restaurants at Zaton Holiday Resort are suitable for families?

Ventula, Oliva and Maestral offer dedicated children's dishes, while Mercato and PRESTO provide buffet and takeaway options for families.

Are there casual dining and takeaway options at Zaton Holiday Resort?

Guests can choose from takeaway meals, snack bars, beachside dining and casual restaurants when they prefer a quick or informal meal.