Restaurant Preza – Mediterranean Cuisine by the Sea in Pokrivenik Bay
Restaurant Preza is located right by the sea in Pokrivenik Bay, on the northern coast of Hvar beneath Gdinj. It is situated within Hotel Timun, but is not exclusively for hotel guests – visitors come by car from the main island road after a day spent at Pokrivenik beach, as well as directly by boat since the restaurant has moorings for guests arriving by sailboats and yachts.
The location is one of its greatest assets. Pokrivenik is a deep bay surrounded by high rocky slopes, pine trees, and Mediterranean vegetation, and Preza is set right by the shoreline. The terraces, wooden cabins, pine trees, and reeds are integrated into the bay, making the restaurant feel much more like a part of the coast than a typical hotel restaurant.
The cuisine focuses on fish, shellfish, homemade pasta, and Hvar and Dalmatian ingredients, but the menu is broad enough for guests who do not wish to eat seafood.
Fish is a Main Reason to Visit
The seafood offerings include fresh fish, which can be prepared grilled, as gregada, or as brudet.
This is a good approach for a restaurant in such a location, as the same ingredient can be served very simply from the grill or as a more traditional Dalmatian dish for multiple people.
The menu also features grilled shrimp, squid, mussels, and prawns prepared in buzara style, as well as lobster or crayfish, which can be grilled or served with pasta.
For guests who want a classic fish lunch, the simplest option is to ask which fish is available that day and then choose the preparation method.
Octopus, Tuna, and Modern Seafood Dishes
Preza does not limit itself to classic grilled fish.
The menu includes grilled octopus with fava bean cream and sautéed vegetables, Mediterranean octopus stew with polenta, fillet of white fish with pea mousse and vegetables, and tuna fillet.
This gives the menu a more contemporary feel than a typical konoba, while still retaining Dalmatian ingredients.
A good example of this approach is the use of fava beans, polenta, fish, olive oil, and local seasonal ingredients in somewhat modern combinations.
Seafood Platter Preza to Start
Among the cold appetizers, the Seafood Platter Preza stands out.
This combines salted and marinated anchovies, fish carpaccio, marinated prawns, octopus, and fish pâté.
This is a practical choice for two or more guests who wish to sample several different seafood bites before the main course.
Also available are octopus salad, fish carpaccio, fish pâté, Dalmatian prosciutto, and a selection of cow, goat, and sheep cheeses.
Fresh Pasta, Ravioli, and Black Risotto
Hot appetizers are one of the more interesting parts of the menu.
Fresh Pasta Preza is prepared with seafood ingredients such as prawns, shrimp, shellfish, and cuttlefish. There are also ravioli with crab meat, homemade gnocchi with cuttlefish, and black risotto.
For someone who does not want a whole fish or a classic main dish, pasta and risotto are a good way to stay within the seafood offerings.
A more unusual combination is fresh macaroni with truffles and beef, which connects the meat and Mediterranean parts of the menu.
Island Lamb and Grilled Dishes
Preza is not exclusively a fish restaurant.
The meat section includes island lamb marinated in rosemary and red wine, steak, ribeye, ribeye with white truffles, and grilled chicken breast.
This makes the restaurant practical for larger groups or families where not everyone wants fish.
Lamb with rosemary and wine particularly suits the character of the Hvar menu, as it does not attempt to reduce all local cuisine to what comes from the sea.
Pizza is Also on the Menu
Interestingly, Preza also has a separate selection of pizzas.
Preza Pizza combines cheese, prawns, tomato, capers, parmesan, and olive oil, while simpler options include mozzarella, vegetarian Verdura, and the richer Rustika with pancetta, homemade sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella, and arugula.
Pizza is a practical option for children or for a lighter meal after a day at the beach, but it is not the foundation of the restaurant's identity.
The main draw of Preza remains Mediterranean cuisine, fresh fish, and seafood dishes.
Desserts with Hvar Ingredients
The desserts also reflect an attempt to connect with the island.
The menu features chocolate cake with carob, smoked salt, and olive oil, as well as semifreddo with Hvar almonds.
There are also cheesecake with lemon and honey, and fruit cake.
Carob, almonds, honey, and olive oil naturally belong to the Dalmatian region, so the desserts are not just a standard ending to a meal but continue the local thread of the menu.
Hvar Wines Hold an Important Place
The wine list does not end with a few house labels.
Special emphasis is placed on Hvar winemakers, along with a selection of wines from other Croatian wine regions and abroad.
For fish, shellfish, and pasta, it makes sense to seek out Hvar white wine, while for lamb, steak, or tuna, a fuller option can be chosen.
Hvar prošek is also available, which is a nice way to conclude a meal with dessert.
Terrace and Wooden Cabins by the Sea
The ambiance is one of the main reasons why Preza is not an ordinary roadside restaurant.
The restaurant uses pine wood, reeds, and handcrafted wooden cabins right by the shore. The tables face the calm bay, and steep cliffs rise behind the sea.
During the day, the atmosphere is more relaxed and connected to the beach and hotel.
In the evening, when most daytime bathers leave the bay, the space becomes much quieter and more suitable for dining by the sea.
For a table closer to the shore or for dinner during the peak season, reservations are advisable.
Preza and Hotel Timun
Restaurant Preza operates within Hotel Timun, a smaller hotel right by the sea in Pokrivenik.
This explains why the restaurant has a somewhat broader offer than a typical small konoba in an isolated bay. In addition to à la carte guests, it is also used by hotel accommodation, so a bar, terrace, and other infrastructure are available alongside the restaurant.
The hotel also has its own parking, making access by car significantly easier than at many other isolated restaurants on eastern Hvar.
The restaurant is still completely interesting even if one does not stay at the hotel.
How to Arrive by Car
Pokrivenik is located on the northern side of Hvar, approximately beneath the area between Gdinj and the eastern part of the island.
From the main road D116, there is a turnoff towards the bay, and an asphalted local road leads to the sea.
This is an important difference compared to many southern Gdinj bays where the final kilometers are on unpaved roads.
The road winds down and should be driven moderately, but a 4x4 vehicle or special car is not necessary for access.
At the end, one arrives directly at the area of Hotel Timun and the restaurant.
Parking
There is parking available next to Hotel Timun and Restaurant Preza, making access by car simpler than at restaurants located in completely wild bays.
During the season, however, it should be noted that the same space is used by hotel guests, restaurant visitors, and people coming to Pokrivenik for swimming.
If coming for dinner during the busiest period, it is practical to reserve a table and check the easiest place to leave the car.
Arriving by Boat – An Important Part of Preza's Identity
Preza is strongly connected with guests arriving by sea.
Pokrivenik Bay once served as a steamship dock, and today there are moorings for guests arriving by sailboats and yachts next to the restaurant.
Even the name Preza is connected to maritime tradition: preza refers to stone pillars or elements for mooring boats.
Thus, arriving by boat is not a secondary option but part of the restaurant's identity.
Preza also offers yacht supply and catering for sailors.
Pokrivenik is Worth Connecting with Lunch or Dinner
If arriving at Preza by car, there is no need to limit the visit to just the restaurant.
Pokrivenik Bay is one of the more interesting natural bays on northern Hvar, surrounded by high cliffs and with several pebbly swimming spots.
The day can easily be organized as swimming in Pokrivenik, relaxing by the sea, and later having lunch or dinner at Preza.
This approach is particularly sensible for guests staying in Gdinj or exploring the eastern part of Hvar who do not want to return to larger towns after every swim.
Who Will Enjoy Restaurant Preza the Most?
Preza is a good choice for couples, families, seafood lovers, and sailors looking for a more organized restaurant in a quiet part of Hvar.
It is not a classic rustic konoba with a few dishes written on a board. The menu is broader, the presentation more modern, the wine list more serious, and the space more organized.
At the same time, the location keeps it from feeling like an urban restaurant.
The greatest asset of Preza is precisely the combination of Pokrivenik Bay, tables by the sea, quality selection of fish and seafood dishes, Hvar wines, and the option to arrive by both car and boat.
Useful Information
Location: Pokrivenik Bay, northern coast of Hvar, Gdinj area
Cuisine type: Mediterranean and Dalmatian
Specialties include: fresh fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish, octopus, homemade pasta, and black risotto
Fish: grilled, gregada, and brudet
Meat dishes: yes, including island lamb, steak, and ribeye
Pizza: yes
Vegetarian options: yes
Desserts: carob, Hvar almonds, lemon, honey, and other Mediterranean ingredients
Wine list: Hvar, Croatian, and international wines
Seaside terrace: yes
Accommodation: the restaurant operates within Hotel Timun
Access by car: via asphalted road from D116
Parking: yes, next to the property
Arriving by boat: yes
Moorings for restaurant guests: yes
Reservation: recommended for dinner and peak season
Best for: fish lunch, seaside dinner, couples, families, and sailors
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