Konoba Nikola, Vrboska – Family Winery, Local Wines and Spirits in the Old Town

Konoba Nikola is located in the old town of Vrboska, near the second bridge, and is not a traditional restaurant with an extensive menu. It is best described as a small family winery, distillery, and wine bar, where the main experience is tasting wines and homemade spirits accompanied by simple Dalmatian snacks.

The family has been producing wine and spirits since 1980, and today the tradition is continued by Nikola Matković. The place is intimate and relaxed, far from the concept of a large tourist restaurant, making it particularly interesting for guests who wish to learn about Hvar wines in a more direct contact with the producer.

Own Hvar Wines

Wine is the centerpiece of the Konoba Nikola experience.

They offer several own labels, ranging from indigenous white varieties to more serious red wines. Notable among them are:

  • Plavac mali barrique
  • Plavac mali
  • Bogdanuša
  • Pošip
  • rosé
  • Škarpunero, a dessert wine
  • table wines from their own production

Particularly interesting is Bogdanuša, an indigenous Hvar white variety that is worth tasting on the island where it is traditionally grown.

Bogdanuša by Nikola Matković won first place at the first Jelsa Summer Wine Tasting in 2019, confirming that behind the simple ambiance lies serious wine production.

Homemade Spirits and Liqueurs

In addition to wine, the family produces a wide range of traditional spirits and liqueurs.

Spirits made from:

  • carob
  • myrtle
  • figs
  • walnuts
  • cherries
  • aromatic herbs
  • grapes

There are also classic herbal liqueurs and grape brandy, making tasting a good way to explore flavors that have been part of the island's tradition for decades.

For guests unfamiliar with certain spirits, it is interesting to ask for several different samples and compare them, rather than immediately ordering a full glass.

Dalmatian Snacks with Tastings

Konoba Nikola is not a traditional restaurant with an extensive menu.

Alongside wines and spirits, simple Dalmatian delicacies such as prosciutto, cheese, salted fish, and dried figs are served.

This concept best suits the space: food complements the tasting rather than wine being just an addition to the main meal.

If you are looking for a classic dinner with a wide selection of fish and meat dishes, Vrboska has other restaurants that are more suitable for that. People primarily come to Nikola for wine, spirits, local snacks, and a family atmosphere.

A Small Family Winery in Old Vrboska

One of the greatest advantages of Konoba Nikola is its character.

It is located in the old part of the town, close to the bridge and canal, making it easy to include in an evening stroll through Vrboska. The ambiance is much more intimate than a typical restaurant terrace by the waterfront.

This is a place where wine is not seen as just another item on the drinks menu, but as the main product backed by their own vineyards, family tradition, and production in Hvar.

Art & Wine

Konoba Nikola also has an interesting connection between wine and art.

They hold Art & Wine painting workshops, during which painting is combined with wine tasting. Such evenings give the space a different character from the usual tavern or wine bar.

The workshops are not a daily occurrence, so interested parties should check in advance whether any are taking place during their stay in Vrboska.

What to Taste Here?

If you are visiting for the first time, a good start is to taste several wines of different styles.

Bogdanuša is a logical choice to get acquainted with the indigenous white variety of Hvar, while Plavac mali shows a completely different, stronger side of island winemaking.

To conclude the tasting, you can try the dessert wine Škarpunero or one of the homemade spirits.

Wine pairs best with cheese, prosciutto, salted fish, or dried figs, just as wine is traditionally enjoyed in a Dalmatian setting.

Parking and Arrival

Konoba Nikola is located in the old town of Vrboska, where a car is neither necessary nor particularly practical for visiting.

The establishment does not have a confirmed large private parking area for guests. If you are arriving by car, it is best to use public parking in Vrboska and continue on foot to the konoba.

It is only a few minutes' walk from the waterfront and main bridges, making it easy to include in an evening stroll through the town.

Who is Konoba Nikola Best Suited For?

Konoba Nikola will particularly appeal to guests interested in wine, local production, and smaller family wineries.

It is not a place to choose for a large restaurant menu. Its value lies in the opposite: a few glasses of their own wine, homemade spirits, a small plate of Dalmatian snacks, and the quieter ambiance of old Vrboska.

For wine lovers, it is one of the more interesting ways to step out of the traditional restaurant rhythm and explore another side of Hvar's gastronomy.

Useful Information

  • Type of establishment: family winery, distillery, tavern, and wine bar
  • Production tradition: since 1980
  • Main products: own wines, spirits, and liqueurs
  • Wines: Plavac mali barrique, Plavac mali, Bogdanuša, Pošip, rosé, Škarpunero, and other wines
  • Homemade spirits: carob, myrtle, fig, walnut, cherry, herbal liqueur, and grape brandy
  • Food: smaller Dalmatian snacks such as prosciutto, cheese, salted fish, and dried figs
  • Traditional restaurant menu: not the main concept of the establishment
  • Wine tasting: yes
  • Art & Wine workshops: held occasionally
  • Ambiance: small family tavern in the old town of Vrboska
  • Location: near the second bridge
  • Parking: no confirmed large private parking; it is more practical to use public parking in Vrboska and continue on foot
  • Best for: tasting Hvar wines and spirits, light Dalmatian snacks, and guests who want to learn about family wine production