Night in Zadar tastes like history. I love the small group feel of this Old Town walk, and I love that the stories come with actual tastings at each stop. Fish with white wine, prosciutto and cheese with red, ćevapi with craft beer, and a final toast make it a real sampler. The one caution: it’s not a good fit if you need special diets or have food allergies, and it isn’t recommended for vegetarians or vegans.

You start at 6:00 pm at Novi caffe and finish back at the same spot, which is great after a busy day. The tour is English, uses a mobile ticket, and keeps things moving at an easy walking pace through the oldest streets.

Key things I’d circle on your map

• Max 14 people keeps it friendly and manageable while you eat and wander
• Six food stops that pair local bites with wine, beer, and local liquor
• Roman landmarks up close, including Zadar’s Forum and the old main street, Kalelarga
• Craft beer made by women alongside classic Dalmatian comfort food like ćevapi
• A night-time Old Town route that helps you orient fast (and revisit later)

Where this tour starts: Novi caffe at 6 pm

This is an evening plan that starts right in the center of Old Town life. You meet at Novi caffe (Ul. Ilije Smiljanića) at 6:00 pm, and you return to the same place when the tour ends. That round-trip setup matters more than it sounds: it means you don’t have to solve your transportation puzzle afterward, and you can easily continue your night nearby.

It’s also a strong first-night move. Zadar’s old streets can feel a bit like a maze until someone points out the main lines: where the Romans set the pattern, where medieval Zadar formed its social core, and where the neighborhood lanes start to wind.

The tour is listed in English, and the format is a guided walking experience with tickets for certain tastings. It runs about 2 hours, so you get a full evening out without losing half your night to logistics.

Price and what you actually get for $60.47

At $60.47 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying for three things: a local guide, multiple tastings with drinks, and entry-style inclusions at certain stops. This isn’t priced like a quick snack. It’s more like a guided evening meal broken into several bites, spread across the historic core.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

• A fish dish paired with regional white wine
• Prosciutto and cheese paired with a rich red wine
• Ćevapi plus locally brewed craft beer made by women
• A final selection of local liquors with a toast

Also, the group size is capped at 14, so the experience stays personal instead of turning into a cattle-line walk.

The main value check: it’s a sampler-style tour, not a sit-down, full dinner. If you show up hungry, you’ll probably enjoy it even more. If you’re expecting a full meal with large portions, you might want to plan a light follow-up after the last stop.

Trg Petra Zoranića: the Roman cue before you even start walking

Your first stop is Trg Petra Zoranića, a natural starting place by the ancient city gate area and a Roman column that marks the start of the main street. This matters because it sets the tone right away: Zadar isn’t just pretty stone and souvenirs. The city’s layout has deep roots, and this walk is built to help you notice them.

You get a short orientation moment here (around 15 minutes). You’ll hear what to look for as you move—where the street logic comes from, why the main lines still matter, and how Old Town grew around them.

Admission at this stop is listed as free, so the focus stays on meeting, getting your bearings, and stepping into the story of the city.

Church of St. Simon: fish and white wine at a sacred stop

Next comes the Church of St. Simon, positioned near one of Croatia’s most revered religious treasures. Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s a memorable kind of pause—quiet, old, and close enough to make you pay attention.

Then the walk turns into food. Just steps away, you taste a local fish dish paired with regional white wine. The pairing is part of the value here: you’re not just eating random bites. You’re learning how local ingredients and local wine fit together as a habit, not a gimmick.

This stop lasts about 20 minutes, which is enough time to taste, listen, and still keep the evening flowing.

One consideration: the tour is not recommended for people with food allergies, lactose intolerance, or gluten intolerance. If any of those are you, double-check compatibility before booking, because the tastings are part of the structure of the experience.

Zadar Market and the old church wine garden: prosciutto, cheese, and red

A highlight for many people is the stop at Zadar Market. This is the working side of town: locals sell daily caught fish and locally grown vegetables. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll feel the everyday rhythm of Zadar—where the food comes from before it becomes a plate.

Right next to it, you’ll visit the remains of an old church that’s now transformed into a cool and unique wine garden. That setting is practical for an evening tour: it breaks the walking pace, gives you a focused place to taste, and makes the history feel physical.

The tastings here are built for contrast:

• Prosciutto and cheese
• Paired with a rich red wine

This stop also runs about 20 minutes, so you get time to eat and listen without feeling rushed. And because it’s tied to the market, it helps you understand why wine and cured meats sit so naturally in this region’s food culture.

Walking the main street and reaching the Forum

After the tastings, the tour keeps moving through the old-town core. You’ll pass through the main square—the center of urban life since medieval times—and then walk along Kalelarga, the main street known for being walked since Roman times.

This is the part that makes the tour feel more than just food. You’re learning the shape of Zadar as you move through it, so later, when you walk on your own, you’ll notice what you were shown.

Then you stop at The Forum, described as the city’s most important cultural site and the largest Roman forum on the eastern Adriatic. This is a short stop (about 10 minutes), but it’s designed to give you a clear picture of what ancient urban life looked like—how space worked, how people used public areas, and how Zadar’s identity kept evolving while still keeping Roman bones under the street.

It’s a smart length. You get the key context without dragging the pace down.

Varoška ulica: a neighborhood lane for ćevapi and women-brewed craft beer

One of the best parts of an Old Town walk is when you get off the main artery and into the quieter streets. That’s the purpose of Varoška ulica and the Varoš neighborhood, established in the 16th century by hardworking families.

The narrow lanes give you a different feeling from the open squares and market area. You get a clearer picture of how Zadar lived at the neighborhood level—tight streets, local gathering spots, and daily life threaded between historic walls.

Here’s where food returns:

• You try ćevapi
• And you enjoy locally brewed craft beer made by women

That last detail is a fun one, because it signals something bigger than beer variety. It hints at local makers and local voices, not just big-brand production. It also adds a modern twist to a very old-city route, which helps the tour stay interesting all the way to the end.

This stop lasts about 25 minutes, long enough for a proper taste and a slower walk segment afterward.

Novi caffe finale: local liquors and a proper toast

You end back at Novi caffe, which feels fitting since you started there too. The final stop is about celebration: you toast to the memories and the friendships formed with a selection of local liquors. The toast is traditionally said as Živjeli.

This last tasting is about 15 minutes, and it’s the right pace to close the night. You’ll likely feel ready to keep exploring right after—whether that means grabbing dessert nearby, finding a late drink, or simply taking the photos you delayed while you were eating.

A small practical note: since this is a night walk with tastings, you’ll have a few drinks included across the evening. Plan your walk pace and consider how you’ll get back to your hotel after the tour.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This is one of those tours that fits best when you want a guided mix of Old Town orientation and food-and-drink sampling in a tight time window.

You’ll probably enjoy it if:

• You want a first night in Zadar plan that helps you navigate later
• You like history told through places, not just dates
• You’re happy with a sampler format rather than a single, huge dinner
• You prefer a smaller group (max 14)

It’s not recommended if:

• You have food allergies
• You need to avoid lactose or gluten
• You’re vegetarian or vegan
• You’re traveling with children under 18

If any of those apply, you may be happier choosing a different tour style that can match your needs more closely.

Helpful tips to make the tasting walk easier

A few things I’d do before you meet your guide:

• Arrive ready to walk for about 2 hours on uneven Old Town streets.
• Don’t plan a heavy dinner right before 6:00 pm. You’ll get tastings across multiple stops.
• If you have any mild food restrictions, you should still check what’s actually served at each tasting, since the tour is explicitly not recommended for certain dietary needs.
• Keep your questions simple: ask about what to look for on the next street you’ll visit after the tour.

Also, since the average booking happens around 18 days in advance, grabbing a spot earlier can help if your dates are busy.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar Food Tasting & Old Town Guided Walking Tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $60.47 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at Novi caffe, Ul. Ilije Smiljanića, 23000, Zadar, Croatia.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or people with allergies?

No. It’s not recommended for vegetarians, vegans, or travelers with food allergies. It’s also not recommended for lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance.

Is cancellation free?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Should you book this Zadar food tour?

If you want a night that mixes Roman-era Zadar streets with real local bites—fish with white wine, prosciutto and cheese with red, ćevapi with craft beer, and a final toast—this is a strong pick. The small group size and the steady pace make it a good way to get your bearings fast, especially if it’s your first evening in town.

Just be honest about the dietary fit. If you avoid gluten or lactose, or you’re vegetarian/vegan, you’ll likely be happier choosing a tour designed around your needs.