Buffet Kod Mate – Café by the Sea in Vela Stiniva

Buffet Kod Mate is located right by the sea in the bay of Vela Stiniva on the northern side of Hvar. Despite its name "buffet", it is most accurately described today as a simple seasonal café by the beach, where visitors come for coffee, juice, beer, and other cold drinks during a day spent by the sea.

Its greatest advantage is not the wide selection but the location. After swimming at Vela Stiniva beach, there is no need to leave the bay or get into a car to enjoy a cold drink – Kod Mate is practically right next to the bathing area.

Classic Beach Café

Kod Mate is not a restaurant or a place to come for lunch or dinner. The offerings are typical for a small seasonal café: coffee, soft drinks, beer, and other refreshments.

This simple concept fits well with Vela Stiniva. The bay is small, surrounded by high cliffs, and does not have a range of dining establishments like larger tourist spots, making a café right by the beach a very practical option for bathers and guests staying in nearby apartments.

A Few Steps from the Sea

Buffet Kod Mate is located in close proximity to the pebble beach of Vela Stiniva. A short walk separates it from the sea, allowing for easy access to coffee or cold drinks and a quick return to the beach.

The high limestone cliffs enclosing Vela Stiniva create a unique ambiance. Unlike urban cafés on large promenades, here you sit within a small bay dominated by the sea, cliffs, and a few houses along the coast.

A Good Place for a Break from the Sun

During the hottest part of the day, Kod Mate is a practical spot for a short break from the beach. Instead of spending the entire day in direct sunlight, one can sit down with a drink and rest before continuing to swim.

This is particularly useful as there is some natural shade on Vela Stiniva beach, but it is not sufficient for all visitors to rely on shaded spots throughout the day.

Kod Mate and Šer Zane Are Not the Same Establishment

There are two separate hospitality establishments in Vela Stiniva that should not be confused.

Buffet Kod Mate is a café for coffee, juices, beer, and other drinks, while Šer Zane is a separate restaurant and pizzeria where one can expect a more substantial meal.

For beach visitors, this is a practical combination – Kod Mate serves coffee and refreshments during the day, while lunch or dinner can be had at Šer Zane.

How to Get There?

To reach Vela Stiniva, take the local asphalt road from Zastražišće that descends towards the northern coast of Hvar.

The road leads all the way to the bay, but in some sections, it is narrow and winding, so caution is advised, especially during the summer when traffic increases in both directions.

Upon arriving in the bay, Kod Mate is easy to find as it is located along the coastal and bathing area, just a few steps from the sea.

Parking in Vela Stiniva

There is public parking space in Vela Stiniva, but the number of spots is limited. It is advisable to arrive early during the busiest summer days.

Private parking spaces near the apartments should not be used as public parking.

After parking, the entire coastal area of the bay, including the beach, Kod Mate, and the restaurant Šer Zane, can be explored on foot.

A Café That Makes Sense Due to Its Location

Buffet Kod Mate is not an attraction in itself nor a destination for which one travels across the island. Its value lies in its location – right by one of the most beautiful and striking bays in this part of Hvar.

For a guest spending the day at Vela Stiniva beach, the option to enjoy coffee, juice, or a cold beer just a few steps from the sea represents the kind of simple offering that makes a more remote beach more pleasant for a full day stay.

Useful Information

  • Name: Buffet Kod Mate
  • Type of Establishment: Seasonal café
  • Location: Vela Stiniva, Zastražišće, Hvar Island
  • Position: Right by the coastal and bathing area of the bay
  • Offerings: Coffee, juices, beer, and other cold drinks
  • Food: Do not expect food offerings; it is primarily a café
  • Best For: Coffee, cold drinks, and a short break during the day at the beach
  • Beach: Pebble beach Vela Stiniva is located immediately next to the establishment
  • Restaurant in the Bay: Šer Zane is a separate restaurant and pizzeria
  • Access: Via an asphalt local road from Zastražišće to Vela Stiniva
  • Parking: Public spaces are available in the bay, but capacity may be limited during peak season
  • Special Feature: One of the few drinking establishments right by the beach in Vela Stiniva