Plitvice Lakes Day Trip: Where to Eat & the Best Tours from Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes day trip: where to eat in and around the park, Lika food from spit-roasted lamb to trout and strudel, Rastoke, and the best tours from Zagreb and Split.
The short version: Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s most famous national park, is a long day of walking (about 8 km on boardwalks and trails), and the food inside the park is basic, so plan your meals around it. The region, Lika, is mountain country: spit-roasted lamb, Lika potatoes, trout, škripavac cheese and homemade strudel. Most tours from Zagreb also stop in Rastoke, a village of old watermills where trout is the dish to order. Here is how to plan the day and which tour to book.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| From | Zagreb about 2 hours; Zadar about 2 hours; Split about 3 hours |
| In the park | Snack bars and bistros at the main points; bring water and snacks |
| Lika food | Spit-roasted lamb, Lika potatoes, trout, škripavac cheese, strudel |
| Where to eat | Rastoke (Slunj) on the way from Zagreb; restaurants near the entrances |
| Winter | From November to March the park boat and train may not run |
What to eat around Plitvice
Lika is famous for lamb and suckling pig roasted on the spit (janjetina and odojak s ražnja), served with Lika potatoes grown in the cool highlands. Trout from the local rivers, fresh škripavac cheese that squeaks on your teeth (see Croatian cheeses), wild mushrooms and homemade strudel with apple or cheese, often sold by local families near the park, complete the picture. Finish with honey brandy (medica) or plum rakija.
Rastoke and the day plan
Tours from Zagreb usually stop in Rastoke, in the town of Slunj, where the Slunjčica river tumbles through old watermills; several restaurants there serve trout by the water. In the park, eat a light lunch at one of the bistros or bring a picnic, because you will walk for four hours or more. Back in the capital, see what to eat in Zagreb.
Our picks: From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour (4.8 stars, more than 2,500 reviews) includes Rastoke, a guide, the park entry and the boat across Lake Kozjak. Travelling on to the coast? From Zagreb: Transfer to Split and Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour turns the drive into the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I eat at Plitvice Lakes?
Inside the park there are only snack bars and simple bistros, so most people eat in the restaurants near the entrances or in Rastoke on the way from Zagreb.
What food is the Plitvice region known for?
Lika cuisine: spit-roasted lamb, Lika potatoes, trout, škripavac cheese and homemade strudel.
Can you visit Plitvice on a day trip from Split?
Yes, but it is about three hours each way; many travellers instead visit it on a transfer between Zagreb and Split.
Book a Plitvice day trip
See all Zagreb food and wine experiences, or compare Zagreb food tours for your evening back in the city.
