RURAL RESTAURANTS AND ESTATES: No one leaves Slavonia and Baranja with an empty stomach Published 24/06/2024

RURAL RESTAURANTS AND ESTATES: No one leaves Slavonia and Baranja with an empty stomach

In rural restaurants, food simmers in pots, kettles, and earthen jars,
nourishing both body and soul.

No one ever leaves Slavonia and Baranja with an empty stomach. Here, you will encounter richness and intensity of taste and sizeable portions of each meal, especially in rural restaurants. Most boast traditional ambiances, old proven recipes, and food simmering in pots, kettles, or earthen jars under the open sky, in spacious yards and estates. Suffice it to say that they will feed your stomach and soul simultaneously.

Baranja

It's quite rare for a region to have as many rural restaurants as Baranja. As soon as you cross the Drava bridge in Osijek, on your right, you will come across "Čarda kod Baranjca". “Čarda” is a word for a fish restaurant located near a body of water, and this Osijek restaurant is a prime example of just that. In addition to the usual fish-paprikash and catfish “perkelt” (a type of fish stew), you will find several types of baked, fried, and smoked fish, as well as other types of fish perkelts such as carp and pike-perch. If you continue along the Bilje road, further to Baranja, you will reach the old course of the Drava River and the iconic "Čingi- lingi čarda", one of the most famous restaurants of the former Yugoslavia state. Although completely renovated and modernized, it has retained its good energy and the iconic bell for which it was widely known. In addition to classic fish delicacies, the restaurant has a rich meat offer, from black Slavonian pig dishes to stews and steaks. In Bilje village, there is also a family restaurant "Kod Varge" which has been in business for more than half a century. They offer traditional dishes of the Baranja region, like the roasted pike with garlic which you can hardly find anywhere else.

If you're in need of a satisfying meal, "Didin Konak" in the village of Kopačevo is a must-visit. This delightful restaurant is perfect for a family lunch and offers a wine cellar and apartments for your enjoyment. Treat yourself to their čvarak pâté, frog legs, and roasted paprika with garlic, and don't miss the classic trinity of carp, perch, and catfish. For an equally charming dining experience, head to "Citadela" in the village of Vardarac. Their spacious gazebo and secret recipe pots make it a unique destination. The main delicacies here are the dishes from the Slavonian-Srijem “podolac”, a breed of cattle that the restaurant saved from extinction by raising it on a nearby property. We highly recommend you try it in the form of a perkelt! Lastly, "Darocz" in Vardarac offers a wide array of fish, meat, and game delicacies, along with unique dishes reflecting the traditions of the Hungarian national minority. Somewhat regularly, and somewhat periodically, the menu includes unusual dishes such as rooster perkelt (sometimes from rooster testicles),
sliced fish steak, dishes from frog legs, and other unique tastes.

The restaurant's main attraction is its impressive courtyard, where examples of old crafts are displayed (The Street of Forgotten Time). Traditional methods of preparing food are equally important. For instance, their bread is prepared in an earthen bread oven, bean stews are cooked in an earthen pot, carp is smoked on an open fire, and desserts evoke childhood memories - indulge in "taške", a type of sweet dough with homemade jam. The northernmost čarda in Baranja is the famous "Kovač čarda", renowned for its fish-paprikash and other dishes such as fish or frog legs perkelt. They also offer carp cracklings, and it should be noted that they were the first to introduce this delicacy to the world. Last but not least is the restaurant and winery "Josić". You can find them in the wine village of Zmajevac, specifically in the wine street. The restaurant and winery's spacious “gators” (a type of wine cellars) are places where tradition meets innovation and modern presentation, all thanks to the chef's capable hands. The choice of wine is clear - the Josić winery is equally famous for its whites, reds, and roses. Explore house specialties or signature dishes, enjoy the nearby tasting room, and take in the beauty of the Zmajevac wine road.

Slavonia

The most famous rural restaurant in Slavonia is "Crna Svinja" (Eng. Black Pig) in Čepin near Osijek. Although situated in a rural area, it is known for its modern-style specialties made from the autochthonous Slavonian breed of black pig. Within the Terra Negra Country Club, the said restaurant offers a mix of traditional and modern cuisine, serving dishes that combine local ingredients and international recipes. The restaurant, surrounded by meadows and a forest, is perfect for family lunches, dinners, and business gatherings. Restaurant "Ribnjak" near Našice, with a century-old tradition, offers more than great meals. Located in an idyllic natural environment, Ribnjak specializes in fish delicacies from its own ponds, but also in top-quality meat steaks prepared using the dry aging method. On top of their bed and breakfast, the restaurant also offers sports facilities, making it an ideal place for rest, recreation, and gastronomic pleasures. On the banks of the Danube, in the town of Dalj, you can find the restaurant "Stari Mlin". The evening atmosphere on Fridays and Saturdays is quite lively, the rhythm dictated by the thin strings of the tamburitza. Generous portions and a beautiful view of the mighty river make this place an ideal destination for anyone looking for authentic Slavonian entertainment. We should also mention two restaurants in Aljmaš village: "Vikend" and "Konoba Aljmaš". The first one is located next to the Danube and the Shrine of Our Lady of Aljmaš, and the second one is located not far from there. Both restaurants offer classic Slavonian specialties such as meat stews, fish-paprikash, and fried and baked fish from the Danube. We've mentioned river fish, particularly Danube fish, numerous times. This should make it evident that the finest fish are found in Eastern Croatia. If you're not convinced, come and see for yourself! If you're already a fan, welcome back.

GOURMET ALPHABET

B

Baranjska kuća - https://www.baranjska-kuca.com/

C
Citadela - /https://citadela.com.hr/
Crna svinja - https://terranegra.hr/restoran/

Č
Čarda kod Baranjca - https://cardakodbaranjca.eatbu.hr/?lang=hr
Čingi-lingi čarda - https://cingi-lingi-carda.eatbu.com/?lang=en

D
Darocz - https://darocz.com/
Didin konak - https://www.didinkonak.hr/

J
Josić - https://josic.hr/restoran/

K
Kod Varge - https://www.kod-varge.hr/varga/index_hr.html
Konoba Aljmaš - https://konoba-aljmas.eatbu.com/?lang=hr
Kovač čarda - https://kovaccarda.eatbu.com/?lang=hr

R
Ribnjak Našice - https://nasicki-ribnjaci.hr/

S
Stari mlin - https://restoranstarimlindalj.eatbu.hr/?lang=en

V
Vikend - https://restoran-vikend-aljmas.eatbu.hr/?lang=hr

Written by: Veronika Završki / Mislav Matišić