Introduction — Split, where tradition meets vegan and gluten-free
Split, Croatia’s second city, opens onto the Adriatic and blends the ancient history of Diocletian’s Palace with a modern, creative food scene. In the lanes around the Old Port, markets overflow with fish and olives, but the city has also embraced a new generation of chefs and food entrepreneurs who reinterpret Dalmatian cuisine as 100% plant-based and gluten-free. This guide is for curious travelers wanting to taste local recipes—peka, pasticada, soparnik, Mediterranean fish—reworked into vegan and gluten-free versions without sacrificing flavor or the soul of the dishes.
Here you’ll find exact addresses, opening hours, typical prices in euros and practical tips for eating confidently in Split. The local approach favors market produce: seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs (rosemary, sage, oregano), Dalmatian extra-virgin olive oil, chestnuts and figs, alongside modern alternatives like cashew-based vegan cheeses, gluten-free pasta (rice flour, corn flour, or gluten-free blends) and alternative flours for breads and pastries. Split’s chefs and restaurateurs are often flexible: don’t hesitate to ask for a dish to be adapted—most will remove animal cheese and swap regular pasta for a gluten-free option, sometimes for a small surcharge of €1–4.
This guide covers several types of spots: fine-dining restaurants, casual bistros, tea rooms, food trucks and local markets where you can source ingredients and snacks. For each recommended place you’ll get the exact address, typical opening hours, examples of vegan and gluten-free dishes and price indications. I’ve also included local tips for avoiding pitfalls, communicating dietary restrictions in Croatian, and enjoying authentic culinary experiences (for example, how to enjoy a vegan version of soparnik—the famed Swiss chard pie—or a vegetable peka slow-roasted under the traditional bell). Finally, for photography lovers and anyone planning visuals for their trip, I’ve added suggested image ideas to inspire your posts and help you prepare.
Where to eat: restaurants and bistros in Split offering vegan and gluten-free options
Split has several places that clearly list vegan and gluten-free options on their menu or are happy to adapt dishes. Here’s a representative selection with addresses and practical information.
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Makrovega (Makrovega Bistro) — Address: Ulica kralja Tomislava 7, 21000 Split. Hours: daily 09:00–22:00. Price range: mains €7–13. Description: Makrovega is a small bistro dedicated to vegetarian and vegan dishes, with several gluten-free options: composed salads, vegetable curry, and legume-based burgers served in a gluten-free bun on request. Laid-back vibe, bilingual staff (Croatian/English).
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Artičok Caffé & Restaurant — Address: Ulica kralja Zvonimira 8, 21000 Split. Hours: 08:00–23:00 (closed some days in low season, check online). Prices: starters €4–8, mains €10–18. Description: Artičok is known for its creativity: modernized Mediterranean dishes, several gluten-free desserts and a local wine list. The chef offers vegan options on request, like a gluten-free mushroom risotto or a vegetable-based « pasticada » with a reduced vegetable sauce.
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Manta Grill & Vegan Corner — Address: Riva promenade, Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 1, 21000 Split. Hours: 10:00–24:00. Prices: mains €8–15. Description: Located along the Riva, this place offers a dedicated corner for vegan and gluten-free options: marinated vegetable skewers, composed salads and sides based on quinoa or rice. Great for a quick seaside lunch.
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Fika Bakery & Café (GF options) — Address: Ulica Marmontova 14, 21000 Split. Hours: 07:30–19:00. Prices: pastries €2–5, coffees €1.5–3.5. Description: Fika offers a few gluten-free and vegan pastries and cakes, plus alternative milks (almond, oat). Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Practical tips: call ahead or check the venues’ Facebook/Instagram pages before you go—hours and gluten-free availability can change by season. It’s also useful to learn two Croatian phrases to signal your intolerances: « Ja sam vegan(i)/veganka i ne smijem jesti gluten » (I’m vegan and I can’t eat gluten). Servers in Split are familiar with these requests, especially in tourist areas, but outside the main tourist zones it’s best to warn ahead to avoid cross-contamination.
Markets, groceries and local products to cook vegan and gluten-free
For travelers who prefer to cook—whether in a rental apartment or for picnic supplies—Split has neighborhood markets and specialty stores where you can find fresh ingredients and gluten-free alternatives. The Riva Market (along the promenade) and the Pazar Market (located on the square) are essential stops for vegetables, herbs and local olive oils.
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Pazar (Green Market) — Green Market Split — Address: Trg Republike Hrvatske (Surajet), near the Market Square. Hours: daily 06:00–14:00 (times vary by season). Prices: tomatoes €1.5–3/kg, courgettes €1–2/kg, figs €2–4/kg. Description: Stalls offer local vegetables, cheeses (ask for vegan alternatives at health food shops), extra-virgin olive oil (~€8–15/litre) and freshly picked herbs. Perfect for preparing a simple meal: grilled vegetables, chickpea salad and gluten-free bread bought at a grocery.
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Bio&bio Split (health food store) — Address: Ulica kralja Tomislava 2, 21000 Split. Hours: 09:00–20:00. Prices: gluten-free flours €2.5–6/pack, plant milks €1.5–3. Description: A chain specializing in organic products and gluten-free alternatives (rice flour, bread mixes, gluten-free pasta, vegan yogurts). Staff often speak French or English and can advise you.
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Delicatessen & Gluten-free corner — Supermarket Tommy — Address: Obala Kneza Trpimira 10, 21000 Split. Hours: 07:00–22:00. Price range: local products €1–20. Description: Large supermarkets like Tommy or Konzum have gluten-free aisles and vegan alternatives (tofu, tempeh, gluten-free desserts). Handy for longer stays.
Local tip: for a reinvented Dalmatian meal, pick up root vegetables and herbs, a bottle of local white wine (Malvazija, €6–12 a bottle) and make a stovetop version of peka if your accommodation has a kitchen. Avoid cross-contamination by buying certified gluten-free bread (labelled « bez glutena ») and asking the baker to use clean packaging.
Reimagined local experiences and dishes: menu ideas and where to try them
Here are ideas for traditional Dalmatian dishes transformed into vegan and gluten-free versions, plus suggestions of places in Split where you can taste them or request an adaptation.
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Vegan and gluten-free Soparnik — Soparnik is a traditional Swiss chard pie. Look for places like Artičok or artisanal food trucks that make the dough from corn flour or a gluten-free blend (typical price €4–7 per portion). Ask explicitly for separate cooking to avoid contamination.
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Vegetable Peka — Traditionally cooked under a cast-iron bell, peka can become a dish of roasted root vegetables, smoked chickpeas and local herbs. Order from restaurants that prepare peka on demand (price €14–22 depending on portion and season). Makrovega and some gastro-bistros will make this if you give 24 hours’ notice.
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Reimagined Pasticada — Pasticada is traditionally a beef stew; in a vegan version expect a stew of gluten-free seitan or slow-cooked mushrooms and vegetables, served with gluten-free gnocchi (price €12–18). Gastronomic restaurants like Artičok or some waterfront venues offer this kind of innovation.
- Desserts and sweet treats — Look for options like baklava reinvented with gluten-free filo (rare, €3–6) or vegan coconut crème brûlée made with coconut milk (€4–7) at bakeries like Fika or local patisseries offering alternatives.
Tasting tips: favor late-afternoon meals to enjoy the freshest local produce, often at its best after the markets open. Book ahead for dishes that require long preparation (peka) and always inform staff about allergies. Remember that seasonality drives many menus—in autumn you’ll find more mushrooms and squash; in summer, tomatoes, courgettes and melons dominate.
Conclusion — Travel responsibly and savor Split in vegan and gluten-free style
Split is a playground for travelers who want to discover local cuisine reinterpreted as vegan and gluten-free. From creative bistros and cafés offering alternative pastries to markets where you can source fresh ingredients, it’s entirely possible to taste the Dalmatian spirit without compromising your dietary choices. The key to success is preparation: learn a few useful Croatian phrases, check opening hours and dish availability in advance, and be clear about your restrictions to avoid kitchen confusion.
Beyond addresses, keep an explorer’s mindset. Talk to market producers, ask servers for recommendations and be brave in trying reworked local dishes—the vegetable peka, gluten-free soparnik or a vegetable pasticada can become memorable discoveries. Budget-wise, expect to pay around €7–18 for a main course in a friendly venue, and €3–6 for desserts or gluten-free snacks. More elaborate gastronomic experiences (tasting menus) can range from €30–50 per person depending on the restaurant and wine pairings.
Finally, traveling and eating responsibly in Split also means respecting the seasons, supporting local businesses and reducing waste—bring a reusable bottle, favor shared plates and share your finds with the community (photos, reviews). With a bit of organization and a curious spirit, Split will become a destination where ancient heritage, glittering sea and plates full of flavor meet, even in a fully vegan and gluten-free version.
