Murvica Restaurant – Traditional Dalmatian Cuisine in Old Jelsa

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

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

A Place for Traditional Dalmatian Dishes

If you're looking for a restaurant in Jelsa that serves peka, pašticada, gregada, or fish stew, Murvica is one of the sensible choices.

Peka is prepared with lamb, veal, chicken, or octopus, accompanied by potatoes and vegetables, using traditional methods in a wood-fired oven. The menu also features Dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi and Hvar's gregada, a simple island fish dish where fish is cooked with potatoes and vegetables.

A highlight of the house is the Murvica Stew 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 a worthwhile choice 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 includes risottos, pastas, bruschettas, and carpaccios. For those who prefer meat, there are grilled specialities and steaks, including combinations with gorgonzola, mushrooms, or green pepper.

This variety allows Murvica to cater well to groups where one guest desires fresh fish, another pašticada, and a third meat.

The Wood-Fired Oven is Not Just for Peka

The wood-fired oven at Murvica is also used for other dishes.

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

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

Vegetarian dishes are also part of the offering, prepared 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 possesses – 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 the grapes yield white, red, and rosé wines.

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

For a guest wishing to explore Hvar's gastronomy, this is an interesting detail as it connects the restaurant with what is genuinely cultivated on the island.

Eco Products Available for Purchase

Within Murvica, there is a small section dedicated to homemade products.

Alongside olive oil and wine, you will find preserved black olives, homemade liqueurs, marmalades and jams, fig preserves, and products made from lavender and St. John's wort. These items can be tasted and purchased within the restaurant.

The extra virgin olive oil, preserved olives, and fruit marmalades have also been awarded the Croatian Island Product label, 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 just the restaurant menu.

A Terrace Under Vines and Greenery

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

The outdoor terrace is nestled among greenery and flowers, with vines and kiwi creating a more natural, almost homely feel.

While there is no open view of the sea, this is not a drawback. Murvica is better suited for those seeking 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 in guest experiences, alongside the peka and local products.

A Good Choice for Families with Children

Murvica is also practical for a family lunch or dinner.

High chairs are available, and there is a designated play area 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 looking for something that best represents the character of the restaurant, I would recommend choosing from the traditional dishes.

Peka is one of the house's signature dishes, particularly octopus or meat prepared with potatoes and vegetables. For a truly Hvar experience, there is gregada, while the Murvica Stew is an interesting choice for those who enjoy a variety of seafood flavours in one dish.

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

To finish, you might stay in the local spirit with a fig dessert served with ice cream or Dalmatian rožata.

A Restaurant with Its Own Identity

Jelsa has a large number of restaurants, particularly along the waterfront, so it is not enough to simply 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 rather than a typical tourist restaurant.

If you are looking for a restaurant where you can enjoy a good peka or 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 centre and waterfront
  • Specialties: peka with lamb, veal, chicken, or octopus, Dalmatian pašticada, Hvar's gregada, and Murvica Stew
  • Fish and seafood: fresh fish, squid, shellfish, and crustaceans
  • Wood-fired oven: used for peka, pizzas, lasagnes, 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 herbs can be tasted and purchased
  • Terrace: outdoor seating among greenery, vines, kiwi, and flowers
  • For children: high chairs and a play area are available
  • Special feature: the restaurant and family organic farm are connected in one gastronomic story