Zadar Old Town Food Tour: Wine, Prosciutto & Local Guide

Summary

Dalmatian flavors, Roman stones and laughter in Zadar’s old town

You’ll wander Zadar’s old town with a local gourmet guide, tasting fresh fish and white wine near ancient churches, sampling prosciutto and cheese in a hidden wine garden, then sharing ćevapi and craft beer in lively Varoš streets. End with a friendly toast of local liqueur — and maybe a new favorite flavor or two.

What’s the experience like?

“Try not to spill the wine,” our guide teased as she handed me this little holder thing for my glass — honestly, I’d never seen one before. We were standing by the old city gate in Zadar, right where the Roman column leans into the morning sun. The air smelled faintly salty and warm bread from a bakery nearby. Our group was small but chatty; someone from Germany kept asking about the best beaches, while I was just thinking about food. First stop: a church hiding some kind of legendary relic (I missed which one — too distracted by the promise of fish). The chef served us this local white fish dish with a crisp white wine that tasted like sea air and lemons. I tried to eat it “Dalmatian style” like she showed us — bones and all. Not sure I nailed it, but nobody laughed (out loud).

We wandered through Zadar’s main square where people have been meeting up for centuries — you could almost feel the stories in the stones under your feet. There was this guy selling figs at the market who winked at our guide when she asked about his “secret” cheese supplier. Next thing you know we’re sitting in what used to be an abandoned church, now a wine garden with vines climbing up cracked stone walls. Prosciutto so thin it melted on my tongue, paired with red wine that made me want to just sit there forever. I still think about that pairing sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

The walk down Kalelarga felt like time travel — Roman paving stones under sneakers and locals arguing gently over coffee outside tiny bars. When we reached Varoš, our guide explained how families built this neighborhood brick by brick after fleeing invaders ages ago. Here’s where we tried ćevapi (I definitely pronounced it wrong), washed down with craft beer brewed by women from Zadar — which honestly tasted better after hearing their story. The last stop was this no-frills bar where everyone toasted “Živjeli!” with herbal liqueur that burned just enough to make you laugh.

Not everything landed perfectly — I’ll admit I skipped seconds on the strong cheese (sorry Ana!), but sharing plates and stories with strangers in those old streets felt real in a way I didn’t expect. Walking back past the Roman Forum as dusk settled over Zadar, I caught myself smiling for no reason at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zadar food tasting and walking tour

• Meet at ancient city gate
• Taste fish dish with white wine
• Pass through main square
• Visit local market and wine garden
• Taste prosciutto and cheese with red wine
• Walk along Kalelarga main street
• Explore Roman forum and hear stories
• Try ćevapi and local craft beer
• Toast with local liquors at bar

Top questions

How long is the Zadar food tour?

The guided experience lasts around 2 hours through Zadar’s old town.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the city gate near the Roman column.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

No, this tour isn’t recommended for vegetarians or vegans due to menu choices.

Can children join the Zadar food tasting tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for children under 18 years old.

Is it suitable for travelers with food allergies?

No, travelers with food allergies or intolerances should not join this tour.

Is the route wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this walking tour are wheelchair accessible.

What foods are included on the tasting stops?

You’ll try local fish dishes, prosciutto, cheese, ćevapi (grilled meat), plus wines and herbal liqueurs.

Does the tour include drinks?

Yes, regional white and red wines are served along with craft beer and a digestivo liqueur at the end.

What’s included

Your day includes three unique tasting stops at handpicked restaurants and bars across Zadar’s old town: fresh fish prepared by an award-winning chef paired with white wine; prosciutto and cheese alongside rich red wine in a former church-turned-wine-garden; ćevapi with locally brewed craft beer; plus stories from your certified sommelier guide and a final herbal digestivo toast before you head off into the evening.