Restaurant Murvica – Traditional Dalmatian Cuisine in Old Jelsa

Restaurant Murvica is located in the older part of Jelsa, just a few minutes' walk from the waterfront and Pjaca, but far enough from the main coastal crowds to offer a distinctly different atmosphere compared to the harbor restaurants. Instead of tables along a busy promenade, guests can enjoy a more intimate terrace adorned with greenery, flowers, vines, and kiwi.

Murvica is a family-run restaurant with a long tradition, and what sets it apart is its connection to its own organic products. Olive oil, wine, olives, jams, and some other products come from the family estate, making the homemade character evident not just in the decor but also on the table.

A Place for Traditional Dalmatian Dishes

If you are looking for a restaurant in Jelsa that serves peka, pašticada, gregada, or fish stew, Murvica is one of the recommended addresses.

Peka is prepared with lamb, veal, chicken, or octopus, along with potatoes and vegetables, in a traditional way in a bread oven. There is also Dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi and Hvar's gregada, a simple island fish dish where fish is cooked with potatoes and vegetables.

A specialty of the house is Murvica's Brudet with Polenta, a combination of various types of fish, squid, shellfish, and crustaceans in a tomato and onion sauce.

These are precisely the dishes that make Murvica worth choosing when seeking something beyond the standard tourist offerings along the waterfront.

Fish, Shellfish, and Squid, but Also a Good Selection of Meat

The kitchen is not limited to traditional peka dishes.

Fish, squid, shellfish, and crustaceans are prepared in various ways, and the menu also includes risottos, pastas, bruschettas, and carpaccios. For those who do not wish to eat fish, there are meat specialties from the grill and steaks, including combinations with gorgonzola, mushrooms, or green pepper.

Due to this range, Murvica works well for groups where one guest wants fresh fish, another pašticada, and a third prefers meat.

The Bread Oven is Not Just for Peka

The bread oven at Murvica is also used for other dishes.

From it come pizzas, lasagna, and homemade bread, providing a broader selection for families and guests who do not necessarily want a traditional Dalmatian meal.

The homemade bread pairs well with olive oil and other products from the family estate.

Vegetarian dishes are also part of the menu, using vegetables and other products from their own organic gardens.

Own Olive Oil and Wine

Murvica has an advantage that not every restaurant in Jelsa has – it is backed by a family agricultural estate.

Grapes and olives have been grown organically since 2010. From their own olives, they produce extra virgin olive oil, while white, red, and rosé wines are made from their grapes.

The olive oil is used in the kitchen, along with typical island herbs such as garlic, sage, and rosemary. In addition to their homemade wine, there is also a selection of wines from other Hvar winemakers.

For guests wanting to explore Hvar's gastronomy, this is an interesting detail as it connects the restaurant with what is truly grown on the island.

Eco Products Available for Purchase

Within Murvica, there is also a small section with homemade products.

Alongside olive oil and wine, there are canned black olives, homemade liqueurs, marmalades and jams, fig preserves, and products made from lavender and St. John's wort. These products can be tasted and purchased at the restaurant.

Extra virgin olive oil, canned olives, and fruit marmalades have also been labeled as Croatian Island Product, and the family wines and olive oils have won gold awards at Croatian competitions in recent years.

This gives Murvica an identity that extends beyond the restaurant menu.

Terrace Under Vines and Greenery

The ambiance of Murvica is entirely different from the restaurants on the Jelsa waterfront.

The outdoor terrace is hidden among greenery and flowers, with vines and kiwi creating a more natural, almost home-like feel.

There is no open view of the sea, but this is not a drawback here. Murvica is more suited for those who prefer a quieter dinner in the old part of town rather than a table on the busiest coastal promenade.

This family-friendly and relaxed character is often highlighted among guest experiences, along with the peka and local products.

A Good Choice for Families with Children

Murvica is practical for a family lunch or dinner.

High chairs are available, and there is also a play corner for children.

This is a small detail but very useful when dining with children and planning a longer meal such as peka.

What to Try at Murvica?

If visiting for the first time and wanting something that best represents the character of the restaurant, I would recommend choosing from the traditional dishes.

Peka is one of the house's trademarks, especially octopus or meat prepared with potatoes and vegetables. For a fully Hvar experience, there is gregada, while Murvica's Brudet is an interesting choice for those who enjoy various seafood flavors in one dish.

Pašticada with gnocchi is a good choice for a meat variant of traditional Dalmatian cuisine.

To finish, one can stay in the local tone with a fig dessert and ice cream or Dalmatian rožata.

A Restaurant with Its Own Identity

Jelsa has a large number of restaurants, especially along the waterfront, so it is not enough to just offer fish, pasta, and a few Dalmatian dishes.

Murvica distinguishes itself by combining long-standing family tradition, a kitchen based on old recipes, its own organic olive oil and wine, and a terrace that resembles a Mediterranean garden more than a classic tourist restaurant.

If you are looking for a restaurant where you can enjoy good peka or a traditional Hvar dish while remaining just a few minutes away from the busiest waterfront, Murvica is one of the places worth considering.

Useful Information

  • Type of establishment: family restaurant with Dalmatian and Mediterranean cuisine
  • Location: old part of Jelsa, a few minutes' walk from the center and waterfront
  • Specialties: peka with lamb, veal, chicken, or octopus, Dalmatian pašticada, Hvar's gregada, and Murvica's Brudet
  • Fish and seafood: fresh fish, squid, shellfish, and crustaceans
  • Bread oven: used for peka, pizzas, lasagna, and homemade bread
  • Vegetarian options: dishes made with products from their own organic gardens are available
  • Olive oil: their own organic extra virgin olive oil is used in the kitchen
  • Wine: their own white, red, and rosé wines, as well as a selection of Hvar wines
  • Homemade products: olive oil, olives, wine, liqueurs, marmalades, fig products, and aromatic herbs can be tasted and purchased
  • Terrace: outdoor seating among greenery, vines, kiwi, and flowers
  • For children: high chairs and a play corner are available
  • Special feature: the restaurant and family organic farm are connected in one gastronomic story