All the Croatian vocabulary you might need at a restaurant or cafe in Croatia
Croatia is a tourist country, so many Croatians you might encounter in a caffe bar or restaurant will speak some level of English. However, if you’re outside the city centers, the use of English will be a bit more spotty and inconsistent.
It’s valuable to have some Croatian in your back pocket. Speaking some Croatian, even if imperfect or brief, is always welcome to a server and definitely a sign of respect. Not only could it yield better service, it could even produce some rakija…on the house.
Restaurants and caffe bars are a spectacular place to practice your Croatian. There is usually a bit more patience and you don’t have to speak in complete sentences.
This guide goes over all the vocabulary you might need when at a restaurant or caffe, including some must-need phrases for making a reservation, asking if there is space and requesting the bill.
In this post, we cover:
- General words and phrases to use at a restaurant or caffe bar
- Phrases to use when you arrive
- Phrases to use when ordering food and drink
- Phrases to use during your stay
- How to ask for the bill
The facts are these…
All the Croatian vocabulary you might need at a restaurant or cafe in Croatia
General words and phrases to use at a restaurant or caffe bar in Croatia
Word: konobar
Meaning: waiter
Word: kuhar
Meaning: chef
Word: gost
Meaning: guest
Word: kafić (birc, birtija)
Meaning: cafe
Word: restoran
Meaning: restaurant
Word: doručak
Meaning: breakfast
Word: ručak
Meaning: lunch
Word: večera
Meaning: dinner
Phrase: Dobro jutro!
Meaning: Good morning!
Phrase: Dobar dan!
Meaning: Good afternoon!
Phrase: Dobra večer!
Meaning: Good evening!
Phrase: Doviđenja!
Meaning: Good bye!
[Read: All the ways to say “Hi” and “Bye“ in Croatian]
Word: Oprostite!
Meaning: Excuse me! (Commonly used to convey “pardon” or “sorry”)
Word: molim
Meaning: please
Phrase: Da, molim.
Meaning: Yes, please.
Phrase: Ne, hvala.
Meaning: No, thanks.
Word: Hvala!
Meaning: Thank you!
Word: slobodno (Used when you’re done with your plate and it can be taken away or to ask someone who’s leaving if their seat/table is now available.)
Meaning: free
Word: juha
Meaning: soup
Word: meso
Meaning: meat
Phrase: morska hrana
Meaning: seafood
Phrase: lokalna hrana
Meaning: local food
Word: voće
Meaning: fruits
[Read: Croatian 101: Fruit Translation Cheat Sheet]
Word: povrće
Meaning: vegetables
[Read: Croatian 101: Vegetable Translation Cheat Sheet]
Word: predjelo
Meaning: starter
Phrase: glavno jelo
Meaning: main course
Word: salata
Meaning: salad
Word: desert
Meaning: dessert
Word: piće
Meaning: drink
Word: voda
Meaning: water
Phrase: mineralna voda
Meaning: sparkling water
Word: kava
Meaning: coffee
Word: mlijeko
Meaning: milk
Word: kava s mlijekom
Meaning: coffee with milk
Word: alkohol
Meaning: alcohol
Word: žestoko piće, žestica
Meaning: liqueur, hard drink
Word: wine
Meaning: vino
Word: pivo
Meaning: beer
Word: rakija
Meaning: Croatian hard liqueur
[Read: Rakija, Croatia’s legendary liqueur]
Word: šećer
Meaning: sugar
Word: sol
Meaning: salt
Word: papar
Meaning: pepper
Word: ulje
Meaning: oil
Word: ocat
Meaning: vinegar
Phrase: pribor za jelo
Meaning: cutlery
Word: tanjur
Meaning: plate
Word: čaša
Meaning: glass
Word: šalica
Meaning: cup
Word: boca
Meaning: bottle
Word: žlica
Meaning: spoon
Word: žličica
Meaning: teaspoon
Word: vilica
Meaning: fork
Word: nož
Meaning: knife
Phrase: slabo pečeno
Meaning: rare
Phrase: srednje-slabo pečeno
Meaning: medium-rare
Phrase: srednje pečeno
Meaning: medium
Phrase: jako pečeno
Meaning: well done
[Read: How to order steak in Croatia]
Word: pušači
Meaning: smokers
Phrase: prostor za pušače
Meaning: smoking area
Phrase: prostor za nepušače
Meaning: non-smoking area
Word: pušači
Meaning: smokers
Word: vegetarijanac
Meaning: vegetarian
Word: vegan
Meaning: vegan
Phrases to use before or on arrival
Phrase: Trebam li rezervirati?
Meaning: Do I need to make a reservation?
Phrase: Želim napraviti rezervaciju za dvoje/troje/četvero/petero/šestero.
Meaning: I’d like to make a reservation for two/three/four/five/six.
Phrase: Želim rezervirati stol za ručak/večeras/sutra.
Meaning: I’d like to book a table for lunch/this evening/tomorrow.
Phrase: U podne/jedan sat/dva sata/šest sati/sedam sati.
Meaning: At noon/one o’clock/two o’clock/six o’clock/seven o’clock.
[Read: How to tell time (in Zagreb, Split, Istria, and Dubrovnik)]
Phrase: Imam rezervaciju na ime […].
Meaning: I have a reservation under [your name].
Phrase: Imate li slobodan stol?
Meaning: Do you have a free table?
Phrase: Ima li mjesta za dvoje/troje/četvero/petero/šestero?
Meaning: Is there space for two/three/four/five/six?
Phrase: Je li ovaj stol slobodan?
Meaning: Is this table free?
Phrase: Molim stol za dvoje/troje/četvero/petero/šestero.
Meaning: A table for two/three/four/five/six, please.
Phrase: Imate li terasu/vrt?
Meaning: Do you have a terrace/garden?
Phrase: Ima li slobodnog mjesta vani?
Meaning: Is there a free place outside?
Phrase: Imate li prostor za nepušače?
Meaning: Do you have a non-smoking area?
Phrase: Imate li prostor za pušače?
Meaning: Do you have a smoking area?
Phrase: Smije li se ovdje pušiti?
Meaning: Is it allowed to smoke here?
Phrase: Do kad ste otvoreni?
Meaning: Until when are you open?
Phrase: Do kad poslužujete?
Meaning: Until when do you serve?
Phrases to use to order food or drink
Phrase: Mogu li dobiti jelovnik?
Meaning: Can I get the menu?
Phrase: Mogu li dobiti cjenik?
Meaning: Can I get the price list?
Phrase: Mogu li dobiti listu vina?
Meaning: Can I get the wine list?
Phrase: Želim naručiti piće/juhu/jelo/salatu/desert.
Meaning: I’d like to order a drink/soup/dish/salad/dessert.
Phrase: Što preporučujete?
Meaning: What do you recommend?
Phrase: Imate li kućnih specijaliteta?
Meaning: Do you have house specialties?
Phrase: Imate li dnevni jelovnik?
Meaning: Do you have a daily menu?
Phrase: Imate li vegetarijanski/veganski jelovnik?
Meaning: Do you have a vegetarian/vegan menu?
Phrase: Imate li dječji jelovnik?
Meaning: Do you have a children’s menu?
Phrase: Mogu li naručiti za van?
Meaning: Can I order takeaway?
Phrase: Želim naručiti za van.
Meaning: I’d like to order takeaway.
Phrase: Na dijeti sam.
Meaning: I’m on a diet.
Phrase: Ne jedem […].
Meaning: I don’t eat [name of ingredient/dish].
Phrase: Ne konzumiram šećer.
Meaning: I don’t consume sugar.
Phrase: Ne pijem alkohol/pivo/vino/gazirana pića.
Meaning: I don’t drink alcohol/beer/wine/sparkling soft drinks.
Phrase: Ne volim […].
Meaning: I don’t like [ingredient/dish].
Phrase: Želim naručiti […].
Meaning: I’d like to order [name of drink/dish].
Phrase: Ja ću […]
Meaning: I will have [name of drink/dish].
Phrase: Koji su sastojci?
Meaning: What are the ingredients?
Phrase: Ima li u jelu […]?
Meaning: Does it have [ingredient]?
Phrase: Imam alergiju na orahe/gluten/laktozu.
Meaning: I’m allergic to nuts/gluten/lactose.
Phrase: Koliko je porcija velika?
Meaning: How big is the portion?
Phrase: Kada će biti gotovo?
Meaning: How long will it take?
Phrase: To je sve.
Meaning: That’s all.
Phrase: Ništa više, hvala.
Meaning: Nothing else, thanks.
Phrase: Što je bolje?
Meaning: Which is better?
Phrases to use during your stay
Phrase: Dobar tek!
Meaning: Bon appétit!
Phrase: Uživaj u jelu!
Meaning: Enjoy your meal!
Phrase: Želiš li probati malo?
Meaning: Would you like to taste some?
Phrase: Mogu/možemo li dobiti vrč vode?
Meaning: Can I/we have a jug of tap water?
Phrase: Mogu/možemo li dobiti još kruha?
Meaning: Can I/we have more bread?
Phrase: Mogu li dobiti još mlijeka?
Meaning: Can I have more milk?
Phrase: Mogu li dobiti čašu vode?
Meaning: Can I get a glass of water?
Phrase: Gdje je WC/toalet?
Meaning: Where is the toilet?
[Read: How to ask where the toilet is in Croatian (and how to find public toilets throughout Croatia)]
Phrase: Imate li kakvih deserata?
Meaning: Do you have any desserts?
Phrase: Mogu li vidjeti listu deserata?
Meaning: Can I get the dessert menu?
Phrase: Sve je odlično/u redu.
Meaning: Everything is great/okay.
Phrase: Jako je ukusno.
Meaning: It is very tasty.
Phrase: Nisam ovo naručila/naručio.
Meaning: This isn’t what I ordered.
Phrase: Preslano je.
Meaning: It is too salty.
Phrase: Preljuto je.
Meaning: It is too hot (spicy).
Phrase: Premasno je.
Meaning: It is too greasy.
Phrase: Hladno je.
Meaning: It is cold.
Phrase: Hoćemo li dugo čekati?
Meaning: Are we going to wait long?
Phrase: Hoće li narudžba uskoro?
Meaning: Is our order on its way?
Phrase: Predugo smo čekali.
Meaning: We waited too long.
Phrase: U jelu je kosa/dlaka.
Meaning: There is hair in a dish.
Phrase: U jelu je nešto prljavo.
Meaning: There is something dirty in a dish.
Phrase: Čaša/šalica je prljava.
Meaning: The glass/cup is dirty.
Phrase: Tanjur/pribor za jelo je prljav.
Meaning: The plate/cutlery is dirty.
[Read: 5 Croatian words to use when you’re enjoying food (and 5 to use when you’re not)]
How to ask for the bill
Phrase: Želim platiti.
Meaning: I’d like to pay.
Phrase: Račun, molim.
Meaning: The bill, please.
Phrase: Platit ću gotovinom.
Meaning: I’ll pay in cash.
Phrase: Primate li kartice?
Meaning: Do you accept cards?
Phrase: Platit ću karticom.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card.
Phrase: Ja ću platiti.
Meaning: I’ll get this.
Phrase: Podijelimo račun.
Meaning: Let’s split the bill.
[Read: Guide on tipping in Croatia]
Phrase: Zaboravila/zaboravio sam novčanik.
Meaning: I forgot the wallet.
Phrase: Račun nije točan.
Meaning: The bill is incorrect.
View our other food articles
- A guide to buying Adriatic fish at the market
- A local’s guide to buying food at Croatia’s farmer’s market
- 10 Croatian words to describe the texture of food
- 5 Croatian words to use when you’re enjoying food (and 5 to use when you’re not)
- 5 ways to connect with Croatian craft beer culture (from Zagreb to the coast)
- 5 hidden garden bars in Zagreb
- Best places to drink in Split
- Croatian 101: Fruit Translation Cheat Sheet
- Croatian 101: Vegetable Translation Cheat Sheet
- Konoba Stari Podrum in Momjan, Istria
- Krolo Winery in Trilj
- The 12-hour Risotto of Skradin
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.