Villa Ruza: Fine Dining in an Idyllic Island Setting
We recently had the pleasure of making the trip to the much-celebrated restaurant Villa Ruza on the island of Kolocep. It’s just 30 minutes from Dubrovnik by boat, but a world away from the touristy restaurants of the Old Town. Perched on the corner of a bay jetting out into the sea, the restaurant offers a beautiful setting for its fresh and innovative cuisine. Diners can relax in the stylish outdoor lounge surrounded by 100 year old olive trees for an aperitif before being led to their seafront table with terrific views of the Adriatic.
The menu, which has a strong focus on seafood, offers traditional Mediterranean and Croatian dishes with a modern twist. Most ingredients are sourced locally, including the fresh whole fish (available grilled and priced by weight) and the excellent house wines. The elegant atmosphere and stunning setting makes Villa Ruza a firm favorite with the yacht crowd.
On our visit we enjoyed an amuse-bouche of fish pate with toasts, drizzled with a peppery olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar, followed by a starter of smoked tuna carpaccio. From there we moved on to a shrimp & courgette (zucchini) risotto (the best risotto we have tasted in Croatia!). For the main course we had a perfectly grilled rare tuna steak served with a crispy zucchini fritter. For dessert, we enjoyed a smooth, creamy chocolate mousse (a big hit with our young daughter!).
Villa Ruza is a 1st class dining destination that is well worth the trip. Visitors can go for lunch by taking the round-trip Jadrolinija ferry from Dubrovnik, a great way to take in the coastal views. If they prefer dinner, they can take the ferry to the island but will have to arrange a private transfer back to the mainland as the last return ferry departs at 18:25 Monday through Saturday and at 19:45 on Sunday (view the Jadrolinija website for the full schedule). A private transfer costs about 500 Kuna (70 EUR) each way. An ideal day trip combines an afternoon exploring the island, swimming at its beautiful sandy beaches, followed by cocktails and dinner at Villa Ruza.
For reservations and private transportation, contact Villa Ruza at info@villa-ruza.com or +385 98 44 33 82.