Restaurant Bota Sare, Mali Ston, Croatia
Talking about shells in Croatia is usually all about shell or shell fishing farming; a lively industry in the Adriatic Sea on the coastline and inlets of Croatia. Shell farming in Croatia is focused on mussels, oysters and clams; all grown in the salty or brackish waters of the Adriatic Sea, seeded to grow in cages to protect the final harvest from those other than humans that also love a shell fish snack. Today, Lim Channel near Rovinj and Ston Bay near Dubrovnik are the two most well know areas of shell farming in Croatia. And just as the waters differ along the coast from bay to bay so does the taste and flavor of the shells grown in each patch of the Adriatic Sea. Cruising from shell farm to shell farm on a crewed luxury yacht charter in Croatia can be as fun and enjoyable as cruising from winery to winery. In fact, consider combining the two and enjoy both shell fish tasting and wine tasting on the same cruising itinerary.
Fresh Raw Oysters at Bota Sare Restaurant
In both of the two shell farm premier locations in Croatia, there are great restaurants associated with particular shell farms offering fresh shells raw or cooked in many different manners; plucked right from the local waters. One such restaurant, Bota Sare in Mali Ston, has a lovely setting on Ston Bay, with tables arranged both outside in a courtyard garden and inside in the cozy interior. Fresh shells, both oysters and mussels, are offered in many different manners, including raw, grilled, gently fried, or cooked in a special Dalmatian or Bouzara style. We found the grilled oysters, grilled fresh over a wood burning fire were to die for. And like any other seafood restaurant Bota Sare also serves a full array of other seafood, such as fish, shrimp, crab, calamari and octopus. And if there is a non-seafood diner in your group, there are plenty of other dishes and salads on the menu from which to choose.
Boti Sare Restaurant Interior
When cruising through the waters of Croatia on a luxury #yachtcharter, most shell farmers in Croatia are happy to sell directly to the Chef on board your charter yacht from the shell farm float, selling shells fished right from the sea. It is impossible for shell fish to be any fresher. And tasting really fresh, briny shell fish harvested minutes before being served, as can be done on a yacht charter in Croatia, is a fabulous and never forgotten culinary experience.
Fresh Oysters at Bota Restaurant in Croatia