Konoba Jakan, set in a restored 100-year-old stone stable near Zadar, combines traditional Dalmatian dishes with modern cuisine, local wines, authentic atmosphere, and a heartfelt storytelling experience.
What to expect
At Konoba Jakan, guests enjoy more than a meal. Rustic stone walls, wooden beams, and family heirlooms set an intimate atmosphere, while attentive service guides you through traditional Dalmatian dishes reimagined with modern techniques, local wines, signature cocktails, and the authentic charm of Dolac Vulića.
Konoba Jakan as a Celebration of Dalmatian Tradition and Modern Cuisine
Tucked away in the quiet hamlet of Dolac Vulića, just a short drive from Zadar, Konoba Jakan is more than a restaurant. It is a love letter to heritage, family, and the timeless flavours of Dalmatia.
Co-owner Anton Vulić brought the vision to life inside a 100-year-old stone stable, once part of a lively settlement that now counts only four residents. What could have faded into memory has instead been reborn. The transformation of the old stable into a contemporary family-run konoba wasn’t just a renovation. It was a symbolic act of renewal, honouring the ancestors who shaped the land and culture. Jakan officially opened its doors in May 2025, with a clear intention: to operate year-round and revive the spirit of this forgotten place.
A Warm Welcome in a Hidden Village
Despite its remote location, Konoba Jakan has been met with enthusiasm from locals, travellers, and media alike. In less than five months, it has built a base of loyal guests and even received 2nd place in the "Traditional Restaurants" category from Dobra hrana (Jutarnji list) in the prestigious Dobri restorani awards.
Visitors often arrive curious and leave emotionally moved.
A Space Built of Stone, Stories, and Memory
The moment you step inside, you feel the past breathe through the walls. The interior preserves original wooden beams, rugged stone, antique farming tools and family mementos. Among the most precious details are the handwritten notes of Anton’s grandmother. Though semi-literate, she wrote daily reflections about love, God, respect, people, and life's gifts. These messages, now displayed on the walls, spark smiles and quiet nostalgia in every guest. They are intimate, universal, and profoundly human.
Konoba Jakan is not a place to simply eat; it is a place to feel a region’s history.
Service mirrors the atmosphere: attentive but discreet, professional yet personal. Every guest is guided through not just a meal, but a story.
Modern Dalmatian Cuisine with Ancestral Roots
At the heart of this konoba stands a rising culinary talent: head chef Stella Pasek. Young, trained and innovative, she has delved deep into the cooking traditions of the region, reimagining them through modern techniques while keeping their soul intact.
Some guest favourites include:
- Slow-cooked lamb ragout with maslegija cheese and cabbage
- Uštipci (Dalmatian fried dough) with Lika-style basa cheese
- Tartar steak with mišina cheese and smoked butter
- Pancakes with cheese baked under the peka (traditional covered bake)
Though peka is part of the offer (with veal, rooster and occasionally house-baked bread), it is the signature reinterpretations that truly set Jakan apart. Their unexpected superstar? Perine palačinke - pancakes filled with cow’s cheese and baked under the peka until golden and irresistible.
Local Ingredients, Honest Flavours
Every dish at Konoba Jakan begins with ingredients sourced from trusted local producers. Fresh vegetables and greens come from OPG Drita Dunatov, while cured meats are supplied by Puntica. Bora provides high-quality olive oil, and the Nin Saltworks contributes its delicate flower of salt.
The kitchen also relies on local butchers and fishmongers for meat and seafood, and occasionally they use eggs from their own hens to complete the dishes. This dedication to quality and locality is the backbone of their kitchen.
Signature Cocktails and Wines from the Region
To complete the experience, Konoba Jakan created three signature cocktails, each tied to a piece of local life:
- Vridnjak – a tribute to a long-time neighbour
- Đino – inspired by their beloved pet
- Brunda – dedicated to one of the four remaining villagers
Their wine list showcases only Croatian winemakers from the wider Zadar region, including Bora, Velebna, Kraljevski vinogradi, and Fiolić. All wines are available by the glass, inviting guests to explore the terroir sip by sip.
More Than a Meal: A Walk Through Dolac Vulića
Jasenice is a municipality blessed with a rare meeting of sea, river and mountain. Yet Jakan chooses to shine a light on Dolac Vulića, the tiny village that cradles it. Guests are often encouraged to take a walk through the hamlet: Hear a goat bleat, see a chicken wander by, and embrace the stillness modern life has forgotten. That serenity, Anton says, is the village’s greatest luxury.
Events, Creativity and Future Plans
This autumn, the konoba launched “Jakan i prijatelji” (Jakan & Friends), a monthly culinary event that brings together renowned chefs and winemakers. On October 24th and 25th, they sold out an exclusive tasting menu created in collaboration with chef Vedran Stojanac, known for his work at Dubravkin put and the iconic Prasac. The goal? To celebrate seasonal produce, regional traditions and the creative energy of modern Dalmatian cuisine.
Visiting Konoba Jakan: Practical Information
- Open all year
- From October to June: closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Opening hours: 13:00 – 23:00
- Reservations are required
Whether you're travelling the Zadar region, seeking authentic Croatian cuisine, or looking for a konoba near Zadar that blends tradition with contemporary dining, Konoba Jakan is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
Here, food is memory, stone is witness, and every guest becomes part of the story.
