Restaurant of the Day: Lungo Mare in Hvar Town

Hvar has a great selection of restaurants within a short walk of the main square. Waterfront or backstreet, budget or luxury. Plenty of choice. I have been hearing from several people that there is a restaurant a bit further away from the square which people are walking to, despite the heat and wide choice along the way. 

I first met Pero from Lungo Mare last year at Sidro. A very entertaining man, he kept inviting me to visit his restaurant, and it has been on my list for a while and I finally made the journey earlier this week. I wasn't quite sure where it was other than it was somewhere past the monastery. There were plenty of signs and I found it in the middle of the residential district.

There are not so many restaurants this side of town, and the location is extremely useful for people who are renting apartments around here. I liked the restaurant from the moment I walked in, for it offers something which hardly any other one does. No amazing sea view here, no authentic stone konobas, just a great restaurant built in the family home. It feels like going round to a friend's for lunch. Very relaxed. 

Pero told me that he used to rent restaurants in town, but with the spiralling rents, he decided to sacrifice location to set up on his own, and it is clearly working for him. The presentation of the food was excellent and, although I am not a huge courgette fan, Lungo Mare's home-grown courgettes were the best I have tasted in a restaurant on Hvar. 

He is a very decorated chef and was among the winners at the recent St. Prosper gastro festival in Hvar Town. He brought out his selection of medals over the dessert, an impressive range which date back to 1984. 

A very pleasant afternoon in a very relaxed location, and I encourage you to give it a try, particularly if you are a fan of courgettes... And a final word on the beer. It was cold. Very cold, and a lifesaver in the late June heat. It was the little attention to detail that I found so impressive. We will be back. It would seem I am not alone. Here is a TripAdvisor review posted last month.

Visited Lungo Mare twice, the week we spent in Hvar during June 2012.
Tasted their grilled fish, oysters and lobsters.
What can I say? Except that everything was heavenly, food was well prepared, fresh and delicious. Wine, excellent! Real espresso and wonderful ice-cream.
Then to the staff, my hat off for you all!
So when visiting Hvar, pay this restaurant a visit, it’s worth it, every time! Just make sure you visit the right Lungo Mare, this one is situated outside Hvar Town, aprox walk from city center, 10 minutes.