Konoba Robinzon in Komiža

Konoba Robinzon is located in the old part of Komiža, just a few minutes from the waterfront, yet sufficiently set back among the houses to avoid the evening crowds by the sea. Accessed via a narrow street, it opens up to a small courtyard with outdoor tables and a grill. This hidden location is one of the reasons why Robinzon offers a different atmosphere compared to restaurants on the seafront.

This is not a place to visit for modern interiors or artfully arranged dishes. Robinzon is much closer to a traditional island tavern: fish, sardines, squid, octopus, grilled meat, homemade wine, and peka, which should be arranged in advance. It is particularly suitable for those wishing to dine in the centre of Komiža while being slightly removed from the tables frequented by passers-by.

Peka is one reason to plan ahead for a visit to Robinzon

If you wish to enjoy octopus under peka, Robinzon is one of the taverns in Komiža where it is advisable to make a reservation in advance. Peka is not prepared to order when you sit down, as it requires considerable time, so it is best to reserve it at least a day in advance.

The octopus is cooked together with potatoes and vegetables, and the juices that remain in the pot during cooking are among the best parts of the dish. For two or more people, ordering peka makes much more sense than several separate main courses.

When making a reservation, it is important to ask how many people the portion is intended for and what is included. Peka portions are usually generous, so there is no need to order too many starters.

If peka is planned, it is best to organise the dinner around it: a small starter, peka for the table, and homemade wine. This is a much better way to experience Robinzon than trying to sample half the menu.

Grilled fish – ask what they have that day

Those arriving without a pre-ordered peka should first inquire about the fresh fish available. The offerings can change, and it is pointless to decide in advance that a specific type must be eaten.

Grilled sardines are particularly good here when available. It is one of the simplest dishes you can order in Komiža, but because of that, it must be well prepared – hot grill, fresh fish, olive oil, and no unnecessary additions.

For larger fish, it is advisable to ask about the type, approximate weight, and price before preparation. If dining as a couple, sharing one larger fish is often a better choice than ordering two separate portions.

The menu also features tuna, squid, and other simple seafood dishes. A tuna steak is a good option if you prefer fish without bones and do not wish to order a whole specimen.

Octopus salad to start

If octopus under peka is not ordered, octopus salad is a good way to begin the meal. For two people, it makes sense to order one portion and share it before the fish or meat.

There is no need to overdo the starters. Robinzon is not a restaurant where you need to assemble five courses to enjoy a good meal. A few simple items usually suit the character of the tavern better.

When small blue fish or another simple fish starter is available, it is worth asking the staff what they would recommend that day to accompany a glass of wine. In such taverns, the daily recommendation is often more useful than a lengthy study of the menu.

The grill is an important part of Robinzon's atmosphere

One of the first things you notice in the courtyard is the food being prepared on the open grill. The aroma of the grill is part of the atmosphere and is hard to separate from the space itself.

Alongside fish, there is also a good amount of meat, so Robinzon is not a tavern where someone who does not eat fish will be left with only salad and sides. Ćevapi, mixed meat, and other grilled dishes are good choices for a group where some people want fish and others prefer meat.

A mixed grill is particularly sensible when you want a substantial dinner without too much thought. Portions are tavern-style – the emphasis is on the food and the grill, rather than on plating.

Occasionally, ribs may also be available, so it is worth asking if they have them that evening.

Homemade wine pairs well with this dinner

With fish and peka, there is no need to seek complicated wine pairings. A good homemade white wine with fish or red with meat fits perfectly with the atmosphere of Robinzon's tavern.

It is particularly interesting to ask if they have wine from Vis or Biševo. The offerings can change, so it is better to ask what they are currently serving rather than relying on a specific label.

For someone looking for a serious tasting of Vis wines, there are specialised wineries and wine bars. At Robinzon, wine plays a different role – it accompanies the fish, grill, and long dinner in the courtyard.

A hidden courtyard instead of a table by the waterfront

Robinzon does not have an open view across the entire Komiža bay, and this is part of its charm. From the waterfront, it takes just a few minutes to enter among the stone houses, and then into a courtyard where the noise of the centre almost disappears.

In summer, the outdoor tables are the most pleasant. You sit against stone walls, smell the grill, and the entire dinner has more character of an old tavern than a tourist restaurant on the promenade.

For a couple primarily seeking a sea view, there are better options. For someone wanting a quieter dinner among the old houses of Komiža, Robinzon is more interesting precisely because it is not on the front line.

Making a reservation is a good idea

Robinzon is not a large restaurant, and during the peak season, tables can fill up quickly. For July and August, making a reservation for dinner makes sense, and for peka, it is practically mandatory as the dish must be prepared in advance.

If arriving without a reservation, an earlier dinner gives a better chance of securing a table than the most sought-after times around eight or nine in the evening.

Those wanting peka should not only reserve a table but also explicitly arrange for peka and the number of people in advance. These are two different things.

How to get there and where to park

It takes only a few minutes to walk from the Komiža waterfront to Robinzon. The establishment is located in the old part of the town, and the last part of the journey goes through narrow streets among the houses.

It is not practical to try to bring a car right to the tavern. For guests arriving from Vis, Rukavac, or other parts of the island, it is more convenient to park in the public car park in Komiža and walk the rest of the way.

If already staying in Komiža, Robinzon fits easily into an evening stroll: dinner at the tavern, and then a few minutes back to the waterfront.

What I would choose here

For a first visit, there are two good options.

If it can be planned a day in advance, octopus under peka is one of the most interesting reasons to reserve at Robinzon.

If coming spontaneously, I would ask what fresh fish they have, and then choose between sardines, grilled fish, tuna, or squid. Alongside that, one octopus salad for the table and a glass of homemade wine would be quite sufficient for a good dinner.

For someone who does not eat fish, the grill is a safer direction than trying to find some modern meat dish that does not fit the character of the place.

Robinzon is best when it is not expected to be something it is not. It is a small, hidden tavern in Komiža with a grill, fish, meat, and peka, just a few minutes from the waterfront, but far enough away for dinner to have a quieter and more homely rhythm.