Tried & Tested Cafes, Bars & Restaurants in Pula, Croatia

Pula is a bit of a foodie destination, so it has some wonderful options for restaurants and places to dine out. I found many places serving seafood and local Istrian cuisine. Restaurants ranged across budgets, from cheap eats to more refined places with top-drawer seafood or truffles. I found excellent restaurants near the seaside resorts and in the city centre.

Pula in Croatia also has a good cafe and bar scene and caters to many tastes. This ranges from small neighbourhood bars and beach cafes to some more upbeat options. My preference is a chilled-out cheap beer in local bars or those near the market where most clients are locals. Some of the other bars have wonderful views, including of Pula Arena, Forum Square, and the sea.

As we travelled with our dog Henry, we found many places we visited were dog-friendly, especially if they had outside seating. Many had water bowls outside, and those that didn’t often offered a bowl even before taking our order.

Tried & Tested Restaurants In Pula

Here are some tried-and-tested places where I enjoyed food while visiting Pula in Croatia.

Restaurant Admiral

A neighbourhood bar near our accommodation that impressed me was Restaurant Admiral. Restaurant Admiral is near Marina Veruda, a nice place for a walk by the sea. We visited with Henry, our dog, and found them pet-friendly on their terrace. They even brought us a bowl of water. Restaurant Admiral had a good drinks menu with various beers, cocktails, wines and soft drinks.

For food, we chose their seafood platter for two, with a few sides. This is one of our go-to dishes, and this one was particularly good. Their seafood platter included two whole fish, sardines, mussels, squid, and langoustines. Overall, this was a great place for a meal out, and I would return.

Restaurant La Vita

My favourite lunch out in the central areas of Pula was at Restaurant La Vita, which was on the upper floor of the indoor food market. Restaurant La Vita is close to the Ribarnica and specialises in fresh local seafood. They have a nice balcony and an indoor dining area, both of which are pleasant. I chose to sit on the balcony and enjoy seeing the comings and goings in the area.

Their menu is mostly seafood, and it took me a while to decide because there were so many great options. I chose a trio of grilled seafood, including white fish, squid, and prawns. These were cooked perfectly, tasted great and were well presented. They also have a good drinks menu with Croatian wines, soft drinks and beers. I enjoyed some draught beer with my meal out. Overall, a very nice place for a seafood lunch out.

Grill restaurant Odisej

When walking back from the beach to the town centre, we decided to find a place to dine out and have a break. We spotted Grill restaurant Odisej, a place with excellent reviews and known for being good value. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, all in the shade. We visited with Henry and found them to be pretty dog-friendly.

They had some good drink options, including a range of beers, coffee, and other soft drinks. For food, we enjoyed their pork skewers and chicken wrapped in ham. They served these with relish, fries and a big fresh flatbread. This was great value, and we left feeling full.

Pečenjara Brod

Another place I enjoyed a cheap lunch out was at Pečenjara Brod, near the markets. Pečenjara Brod is a small restaurant that specialises in seafood and meaty Croatian cuisine. During my visit, it was pretty quiet, and they provided good service. I enjoyed a draught beer with my food.

For food, I enjoyed their cevapi, which were well cooked and served with flatbread, onions, and Croatian relish. This was a big portion and filled me up for the rest of the day. Overall, a great dining experience for a budget-friendly lunch out on my own.

Good Cafes & Bars In Pula For Beer or Coffee

Some of the delightful places where we enjoyed beer or coffee during our holiday in Pula.

Caffe Bar La Resistance

I enjoy having a beer with impressive views, so I had one at Caffe Bar La Resistance. Caffe Bar La Resistance is next to the amphitheatre in Pula, and the views from its terrace are excellent. They have a covered seating area, which is good for shade on a hot day. Caffe Bar La Resistance provides table service, which is a bit slow, but I was there for the views. They had a good selection of drinks, and I opted for a cold Croatian beer. On my visit, prices were lower than many of the bars I visited in the old town.

Cafe Sirena

Another place for drinks with a top view is Cafe Sirena. Cafe Sirena overlooks Forum Square and the Temple of Apollo, which is nice. I enjoyed a few beers here early in the morning; it was pretty quiet, and I got great seats. The servers here were quick and friendly. I enjoyed a few Sirter draught beers here. They also serve fancy coffee, desserts and sweet pastries. Overall, a nice place to visit while sightseeing in the old town before it gets busy.

Caffe Bar “M”

One of the cheapest bars I found in the city centre was Caffe Bar “M”. It’s on the upper level of the market hall and is a pretty cool place. They have a balcony overlooking the outdoor stalls, and it was fascinating to see what was going on. They have a good range of coffees and beers and provide table service. I enjoyed Croatian beers on my visits, which were a bargain at 2 euros. This type of local bar where no one speaks English is my usual preference, but not for everybody.

Mlinar Cafe

I’ve enjoyed takeaway lunches at various Mlinar bakeries throughout Croatia, and Pula has a Mlinar café where you can sit down and eat. This one is in the market area and is rather nice. They provide table service, and they plate up your baked goods. Thus, on this visit, it was the poshest burek I’ve enjoyed in the country. My favourite items on their menu are the meat or cheese burek, the Mexican pastry and their sandwiches. Their cakes and sweet pastries are also popular with my wife. On our visit, I also enjoyed a local beer and coffee.

Valsaline Beach Bar

For a bar with a view of the sea, Valsaline Beach Bar is pretty nice. It is really close to the beach in Valsaline Bay and a great place for a cold drink after enjoying a swim or sunbathing. This is a self-service place with a range of soft drinks, cocktails, and beers. Valsaline Beach Bar also serves fast food, including burgers and ice cream. We visited with the dog, and he got some fuss from the barman and others from the beach.

Cafe Diana

In Trg Forum, in the old town, is Cafe Diana, a nice place for drinks. Cafe Diana has a view of the entire square, including the Temple of Augustus and the beautiful town hall building. We enjoyed a few drinks here, including beers and a posh coffee with ice cream and other toppings. The servers were quick and friendly and provided complimentary snacks, making it a great place for refreshments.