Restaurant-Pizzeria Arsenal – Dalmatian Cuisine and Pizza by Jelsa Harbour
Restaurant-Pizzeria Arsenal is located on Mala Banda, on the quieter side of Jelsa harbour, with a terrace almost right by the water. Across the bay, there are views of the centre of Jelsa, the promenade and the old houses along the coast, making it a particularly pleasant spot for lunch or dinner when you want to stay close to the centre but slightly away from the busiest area of Pjaca.
Although the name suggests a classic pizzeria, Arsenal offers much more than that. The cuisine is Mediterranean and Dalmatian, featuring a good selection of fish and seafood, risottos and pasta, as well as substantial meat dishes. Pizza remains an important part of the menu, especially for a simpler meal or families, but the true character of the restaurant is best reflected in its fish dishes and Dalmatian classics.
Terrace by the Harbour
The location is one of Arsenal's greatest advantages.
Tables on the outdoor terrace are situated right by the shore of Mala Banda, with views across Jelsa harbour. Small boats are practically at the restaurant's doorstep, while the central part of the town is visible across the water.
This is one of those restaurants where the outdoor terrace has a completely different atmosphere during the day and in the evening. Lunchtime is dominated by the sea and sunshine, while in the evening, the lights of Jelsa illuminate the harbour, creating a more tranquil setting.
The restaurant is easily accessible on foot from the centre along the coast.
Fish and Seafood Play a Key Role
Arsenal has a sufficiently varied menu that you can visit several times and choose a completely different meal each time.
To start, you might opt for tuna carpaccio, tuna pâté, prawn salad or a platter of assorted seafood bites.
Among the hot dishes, the black cuttlefish risotto, risotto with prawn tails and courgettes, mussels in buzara sauce, and pasta with seafood are particularly recommended.
For the main course, the selection ranges from Adriatic tuna and sea bass to squid, prawns and the catch of the day grilled.
Hvar-style Gregada for Two
If you're looking for something specifically related to Hvar, the Hvar-style gregada is worth considering.
Prepared as a dish for two, it includes fish, potatoes and seafood additions, making it one of the best choices for sharing something traditional at the table rather than ordering two separate plates.
Gregada pairs well with a light dinner and wine while enjoying the view of the harbour, especially if you wish to maintain a Dalmatian theme without complicating matters.
Tuna in Various Forms
Tuna appears in several forms at Arsenal and is one of the more recognisable parts of the fish menu.
It can be served as carpaccio or pâté to start, but also as a more substantial main course such as tuna steak or tataki.
This is a good example of how the cuisine is not strictly traditional. The foundation is Mediterranean ingredients, but some dishes are prepared and presented in a more contemporary manner than in a classic konoba.
A Good Selection for Non-Fish Eaters
Arsenal is not a restaurant where a guest who does not want fish will end up with just one alternative option.
The menu includes beef fillet, slow-cooked beef cheeks, veal steaks, ćevapi, burgers and other meat dishes.
This makes it a suitable choice for larger groups where not everyone is inclined towards the same type of food.
There are also pasta dishes and options with mushrooms and truffles, so the selection is not limited to just fish and meat.
Pizza Remains an Important Part of the Offering
Despite the broader restaurant menu, Arsenal has retained its pizzeria designation for good reason.
Pizza is a good choice when a simpler meal by the sea is desired, particularly for families or when taking a break from fish and classic Dalmatian cuisine during a holiday.
Well-baked dough and generous toppings are regularly highlighted as reasons why guests return specifically for the pizza.
As a result, Arsenal can function both as a restaurant for a more serious dinner and as a place for a much more relaxed meal.
Homemade and Mediterranean Flavours Without Excess
The cuisine at Arsenal works best when it sticks to what naturally belongs to this area – fish, olive oil, vegetables, simple side dishes and good cuts of meat.
The dishes are somewhat more modern in composition than in a classic konoba, but without the need for ingredients to be obscured by complicated presentation.
It is particularly suitable for guests who want a Dalmatian base but still prefer a more varied menu than the usual combination of grilled fish and Swiss chard.
Leave Room for Dessert
After a hearty fish or meat meal, simpler desserts are a good match.
The menu includes tiramisu, semifreddo with roasted hazelnuts and pancakes.
Thus, Arsenal easily functions as a place for a complete dinner, from a cold seafood starter to dessert, rather than just a quick lunch by the promenade.
When Does Arsenal Make the Most Sense?
The restaurant is most appealing in the evening.
Mala Banda is quieter than the main Pjaca at that time, and the terrace by the sea offers a lovely view across the illuminated harbour. You can linger at the table without feeling like you're in the midst of the busiest promenade.
For lunch, it is practical if you are already on this side of Jelsa or arriving by boat, while in the evening it showcases its restaurant character better.
During the peak season, it is advisable to reserve a table by the sea in advance, especially for larger groups.
Arsenal or Me & Mrs Jones?
Both restaurants are located on Mala Banda and both have terraces by Jelsa harbour, but they are not entirely the same type of place.
Me & Mrs Jones leans more towards a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant and a quieter dinner, while Arsenal offers a broader, more informal range – from gregada, fish and more substantial meat dishes to pizza and burgers.
For a group where everyone wants something different, Arsenal is therefore a very practical choice.
Useful Information
- Type of establishment: restaurant and pizzeria
- Location: Mala Banda, by Jelsa harbour
- Cuisine: Dalmatian and Mediterranean
- Fish and seafood: tuna, sea bass, squid, mussels, prawns and daily catch
- Traditional dish: Hvar-style gregada for two
- Risottos and pasta: black risotto, risotto with prawns, and various meat and vegetarian pasta dishes
- Meat selection: beef fillet, beef cheeks, veal, ćevapi and burgers
- Pizza: an important part of the menu alongside the classic restaurant offerings
- Vegetarian options: dishes without meat and fish are also available
- Desserts: tiramisu, semifreddo and pancakes
- Terrace: outdoor seating right by the sea
- View: across Jelsa harbour towards the centre of the town
- Access: a few minutes' walk from the centre of Jelsa
- Reservation: advisable for dinner in the peak season, especially for a table by the sea
- Specialty: a very wide selection, from Hvar-style gregada and fresh fish to pizza and meat dishes, on the quieter side of Jelsa harbour
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