You don’t need to spend a fortune to eat like a king/queen in Dalmatia.
Finding cheap eats in Split Croatia is surprisingly easy once you know where to look — the tourist-facing restaurants inside the palace walls charge double what you’d pay just two streets away. Split has a reputation for being expensive, especially on the Riva promenade. But if you walk just two streets back, you can find authentic, delicious, and filling meals for the price of a cocktail.
The secret? Do what the locals do: eat “Marenda.”
Marenda is the traditional Dalmatian brunch/lunch (usually eaten between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM). It’s hearty, cheap, and homemade. Whether you want a quick street snack or a sit-down stew, here are my top 7 picks for eating well on a budget in 2026.
1. Kantun Paulina (The Legend)
- Vibe: Standing room only / Street Food
- Price: €7 – €9
- Location: Matošića ul. 1
If you only eat one “street food” item in Split, make it this. Paulina has been an institution since 1967. They are famous for Ćevapi—grilled minced meat fingers served in a fluffy, warm flatbread (lepinja) with onions and ajvar (red pepper sauce).
- What to Order: “Ćevapi u somunu” (The standard sandwich).
- Local Tip: It’s cash only. Grab plenty of napkins; it gets messy.
2. Buffet Fife (The Heavy Hitter)
- Vibe: Loud, chaotic, communal tables
- Price: €10 – €15
- Location: Trumbićeva obala 11 (Matejuška)
Fife (pronounced Fee-Fay) is legendary. It’s not “fine dining”—the waiters are grumpy, the plates are chipped, and you might have to share a table with strangers. But the portions are massive, and the food is real soul food.
- What to Order: Pašticada (Stewed beef with gnocchi) or the fried fish plate.
- Local Tip: Go early (before 12:30 PM) or late (after 2:30 PM) to avoid the line.
3. Villa Spiza (The Hidden Gem)
- Vibe: Tiny, rustic, daily menu
- Price: €12 – €16
- Location: Kružićeva ul. 3
This is arguably the best value-for-money food in Old Town. There is no fixed menu—they cook whatever they bought fresh at the Green Market that morning. When they run out of a dish, they cross it off the chalkboard.
- What to Order: Whatever is fresh. Usually, the Orzo with Prawns or Mussels in White Wine are incredible deals.
- Local Tip: They do not take reservations. Come at 12:00 PM sharp if you want to sit.
4. ST Burek (The Breakfast Champion)
- Vibe: Grab & Go Bakery
- Price: €2 – €3.50
- Location: Domaldova ul. 13
Located right near the Golden Gate, this tiny window serves the best Burek in town. Burek is a phyllo pastry filled with meat, cheese, or spinach. At ST Burek, they cut it into quarters rather than coils. It’s greasy, crispy, and keeps you full for hours.
- What to Order: “Burek sa mesom” (Meat) is the classic. Pair it with a cold drinkable yogurt (tekući jogurt).
5. Sexy Cow (The Modern Twist)
- Vibe: Hipster, cool design
- Price: €9 – €13
- Location: Zrinsko Frankopanska 6
If you are tired of traditional stews and grilled meat, Sexy Cow offers the best wraps and burgers in the city. Everything is made from scratch, including their famous tortillas. It’s popular with the younger crowd and perfect for a quick dinner.
- What to Order: The “Don’t Tell Your Boyfriend” wrap (Rump steak, egg, cheese, and spicy sauce).
6. Rizzo (The Local Sandwich)
- Vibe: Subway style, but 100x better
- Price: €4 – €6
- Location: Tončićeva ul. 4
Before fast food chains arrived, we had Rizzo. They bake their own buns continuously throughout the day, so your sandwich is always on warm, fresh bread. You choose your fillings (ham, cheese, salads, sauces) at the counter.
- What to Order: The “Cocktail” sandwich with everything on it (sve priloge).
7. Zlatna Ribica (The Fish Fast Food)
- Vibe: Simple fish market style
- Price: €5 – €10
- Location: Kraj Svete Marije 8 (Next to the Fish Market)
Located directly across from the famous Peškarija (Fish Market), this place fries whatever was caught that morning. It’s simple fried sardines (girice) or calamari served in a paper cone or on a plastic plate.
- What to Order: Fried Calamari or Gavuni (tiny fried fish you eat whole like chips). Squeeze some lemon and enjoy.
“Marenda” Cheat Sheet for Tourists:
When looking for cheap eats, look for these words on the menu board:
- Grah: Bean soup with sausage (The ultimate budget winter meal).
- Tripice: Tripe stew (Delicious if you are brave!).
- Punjene Paprike: Stuffed peppers (Summer classic).
Want a true foodie experience?
If you want to dive deeper than just street food, join me on my [Diocletian’s Palace Walking Tour]. I always finish the tour with personalized restaurant recommendations based on what you like to eat.
Further reading: Visit Split — Official Tourism Board
