Bistro Kod Damira in Stari Grad on Hvar – Traditional Dalmatian Cuisine, Pašticada and Fresh Fish in the Town Square

Bistro Kod Damira is located at Trg Stjepana Radića, in the center of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. This well-known bistro is one of the places where you can still enjoy simple, traditional Dalmatian cuisine, focusing on homemade dishes, fresh fish, and seasonal ingredients. It is particularly famous for pašticada, grilled octopus, and homemade pasta, with the menu changing based on daily available ingredients.

Unlike restaurants that rely on extensive menus with numerous international dishes, Kod Damira embraces an approach typical of local Dalmatian bistros. The menu features dishes traditionally prepared in island kitchens, ranging from fish specialties to cooked meat dishes and hearty daily meals.

Pašticada and Traditional Dalmatian Dishes

One of the most recognized specialties of Bistro Kod Damira is Dalmatian pašticada, slowly cooked beef in a rich dark sauce, most often served with gnocchi.

Pašticada is one of the most recognizable festive dishes of Dalmatia, and its preparation requires time and attention. The meat is cooked for a long time with vegetables, wine, and spices, allowing the sauce to gradually develop its characteristic depth of flavor.

The bistro also offers other traditional dishes, depending on the daily selection. During the colder months, dishes like bean stew with sausages, tripe, and beef tongue in sauce are particularly interesting.

This type of offering attracts guests who want to taste something different from the usual summer restaurant fare and get to know the local gastronomy of Hvar.

Fresh Fish, Octopus, and Seafood

Fish and seafood hold an important place in the kitchen of Bistro Kod Damira.

Grilled octopus stands out as one of the dishes for which the restaurant is recognized. The menu also includes squid, fish, and various seafood specialties.

The selection of fresh fish changes according to the daily catch. Depending on availability, sardines, anchovies, white fish, or shrimp may be served.

This variability is one of the restaurant's special features. Instead of offering the same selection every day, part of the menu adapts to what is freshly available.

For lovers of homemade Mediterranean cuisine, risottos and pasta with seafood are also interesting, prepared simply without unnecessarily complex additions.

Homemade Pasta and Daily Meals

Bistro Kod Damira is also known for its homemade pasta, served with various sauces, meat dishes, and seafood specialties.

In addition to lunch and dinner dishes, daily meals hold an important place. These are traditional cooked meals commonly eaten in Dalmatia during the late morning and early afternoon.

The daily meal offerings may include stews, meat in sauce, fish dishes, or other seasonal specialties.

This makes Kod Damira appealing to guests who want to enjoy a substantial homemade lunch, rather than just dinner at a restaurant during the tourist season.

Breakfast in the Center of Stari Grad

One of the practical features of the bistro is its breakfast offering.

Kod Damira is known for its variety of omelets, making it an interesting choice for guests who want to start their day with a hearty breakfast before exploring the island.

In addition to omelets, coffee and other beverages can be ordered in the morning.

The location in the town square is particularly pleasant for a morning break when Stari Grad is quieter than during summer evenings.

For guests staying in the historic core, the bistro is easily accessible on foot, and breakfast can be combined with a morning walk along the waterfront.

Homemade Desserts and Lavender Cake

After lunch or dinner at Bistro Kod Damira, it is worth checking the selection of homemade desserts.

Particularly interesting is the lavender cake, a dessert that fits well into the gastronomic tradition of Hvar, known for the cultivation of this aromatic plant.

Other cakes and desserts are also available, and their selection may change throughout the season.

Coffee can be ordered with the desserts, while homemade wines and other beverages are served with main dishes.

Terrace at Trg Stjepana Radića

Bistro Kod Damira is located in one of the town squares in the historic core of Stari Grad.

Outdoor tables provide the opportunity for lunch or dinner in an open urban setting, among stone buildings and the daily life of the area.

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with an emphasis on homemade food and simple service.

During the warmer part of the year, the terrace is particularly pleasant for an evening meal, while the restaurant also has an air-conditioned indoor space.

Kod Damira is a good choice for couples, families, and small groups looking for a traditional Dalmatian meal without an overly formal restaurant atmosphere.

How to Get to Bistro Kod Damira?

The bistro is located at Trg Stjepana Radića, in the central part of Stari Grad, not far from the historic core and the town waterfront.

It is easily accessible on foot from most parts of the center. The square is connected to surrounding streets, making the bistro practical to visit during city sightseeing.

For guests coming from Jelsa, Vrboska, Dola, or other places on the island of Hvar, the simplest way is to drive to Stari Grad and then walk to the restaurant.

Parking Near Bistro Kod Damira

Since the bistro is located in the town center, parking directly next to the terrace is not the most practical solution.

For visits by car, it is best to use designated public parking in Stari Grad and then continue on foot.

During July and August, especially in the evenings, finding a free parking space may take a bit more time.

Guests staying in the historic core can easily reach the bistro on foot.

Reservations and Daily Offer

For lunch or dinner during the main tourist season, it is advisable to reserve a table.

This is especially true if you want to try a specific specialty, such as pašticada, grilled octopus, or the daily fish dish.

Since the offering partially adapts to available ingredients, certain dishes may not be on the menu every day.

Upon arrival, it is worth checking the daily offer and asking which traditional dishes are being prepared that day.

The bistro also allows ordering food to take away, which is convenient for guests staying in apartments or wanting a meal outside the restaurant.

What to Visit Nearby?

Bistro Kod Damira is conveniently located for exploring Stari Grad.

Nearby is the Church of St. Stephen, one of the most important sacred buildings in the historic core.

It is also worth visiting Tvrdalj of Petar Hektorović, a well-known Renaissance summer residence with a fish pond, and Trg Škor, one of the most beautiful stone squares in the town.

The town waterfront is just a few minutes' walk away, allowing lunch or dinner to be combined with a stroll along the sea.

For a longer excursion, the Starogradsko Polje, a historic agricultural landscape protected by UNESCO, is also interesting.

Why Visit Bistro Kod Damira?

Kod Damira is particularly interesting for guests who want to experience traditional Dalmatian cuisine, without an emphasis on tourist-designed dishes.

Its main advantages are pašticada, grilled octopus, homemade pasta, daily meals, and a changing selection of fresh fish.

With a relaxed atmosphere in the town square, the option for breakfast, and homemade desserts, the bistro represents a good choice for guests who want to taste authentic island food during their stay in Stari Grad.

Useful Information

  • Name: Bistro Kod Damira.
  • Location: Trg Stjepana Radića, Stari Grad, Hvar Island.
  • Cuisine Type: Traditional Dalmatian, Croatian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
  • Specialties: Dalmatian pašticada, grilled octopus, fresh fish, squid, and homemade pasta.
  • Daily Offer: Traditional daily meals and seasonal dishes.
  • Breakfast: Various types of omelets and morning offerings.
  • Desserts: Homemade cakes, including lavender cake.
  • Fish and Seafood: Offer depends on daily availability.
  • Wines: Homemade and other wines.
  • Terrace: Outdoor tables in the town square.
  • Indoor Space: Air-conditioned.
  • Reservations: Available and recommended during the main season.
  • Takeaway Food: Yes.
  • Card Payment: Visa, Mastercard, and debit cards.
  • Wi-Fi: Free.
  • Accessibility: Accessibility for persons with disabilities is indicated.
  • Pets: Allowed.
  • Parking: Public parking in the vicinity of the town center.
  • Arrival: On foot from the historic core and the town waterfront.
  • Nearby: Church of St. Stephen, Tvrdalj of Petar Hektorović, Trg Škor, and the town waterfront.
  • Recommended for: Lovers of homemade Dalmatian cuisine, fish specialties, daily meals, and informal family lunches.