Split: Dalmatian Cooking Class & Green Market Lunch Patio

Summary

Split food tour with market shopping and hands-on cooking in a city terrace kitchen

You’ll start your day at Split’s bustling Green Market picking ingredients side-by-side with a local chef before heading to his sunny terrace kitchen for hands-on cooking. Taste homemade rakija, learn real Dalmatian recipes like shrimp Buzara and polenta with olives, then linger over lunch with wine as stories unfold around the table—a memory that’ll stick long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You want the figs soft or chewy?” That’s how our morning kicked off at Split’s Green Market—just me, a few other travelers, and our host, Goran, who seemed to know every vendor by name. He let us taste olives straight from a weathered old woman’s stall (she winked at me when I hesitated). The air smelled like tomatoes and sea salt. I didn’t expect to laugh so much just picking out ingredients. Goran kept saying “trust your nose” when we picked herbs—mine was mostly full of coffee fumes from earlier, but I tried.

We wandered back through those narrow stone streets to Goran’s apartment terrace. Sunlight hit the table in stripes through grapevines overhead. He poured us tiny glasses of homemade rakija (“for courage,” he grinned) before we started chopping and stirring. There was this moment—shrimp sizzling in olive oil, garlic everywhere—when time sort of slowed down. Goran told stories about his grandmother making Buzara during stormy nights; he got quiet for a second, then shrugged it off and showed us how to balance flavors with just a splash of wine.

I definitely butchered the word for prosciutto in Croatian (Goran laughed, but in a nice way). We ate polenta with olives and that prosciutto cooked in red wine—salty, sweet, kind of sticky on the tongue. Lunch stretched out longer than planned. Someone asked about the history behind dried figs with ice cream and Goran went off on this tangent about pirates bringing spices to Dalmatia. I still think about that view over Split’s rooftops while we passed around homemade walnut liquor. The whole thing felt less like a class and more like hanging out with friends you didn’t know you had.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dalmatian food and wine experience

• Buy ingredients at Green Market
• Head to kitchen and terrace in Split
• Cook Dalmatian dishes together
• Learn about Dalmatian cuisine history
• Taste homemade Rakija and wine
• Enjoy starter: polenta, prosciutto, shrimp pate
• Eat main: shrimp Buzara with spaghetti
• Have dessert: dried figs with ice cream
• Drink homemade liquors and socialize

Top questions

How long does the Dalmatian cooking class in Split last?

The experience lasts about 4 hours from market visit to lunch.

Is lunch included in the Split food tour?

Yes, a full lunch is included after cooking together on the terrace.

Do we visit Split’s Green Market during this class?

Yes, you’ll shop for fresh ingredients at the Green Market before cooking.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

You’ll taste homemade rakija, local wines, and liqueurs during lunch.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?

The menu focuses on seafood and meats; vegetarian options are limited.

Where is the cooking class held in Split?

The class takes place on a private terrace kitchen in central Split.

Are children allowed on this food tour?

Specialized infant seats are available; alcohol served only to guests 18+.

Is hotel pickup included for this experience?

No hotel pickup is provided; public transport options are nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes shopping for fresh produce at Split’s Green Market alongside your host before heading to his central terrace kitchen for a hands-on Dalmatian cooking class. You’ll enjoy homemade rakija as a welcome drink, prepare traditional dishes together, then sit down for lunch featuring local wine and liqueurs—all wrapped up by early afternoon.