Gariful, a Family Business and Tradition

Some of the great Dalmatian traditions and skills have been passed from generation to generation, allowing the secrets of the past to be preserved for the future. Ancient recipes from a grandmother are faithfully reproduced by the younger generation, keeping the rich variety of ancient Dalmatian recipes very much alive; Hvar's 2,400 year wine tradition includes many generations of families who have passed on the secrets of the vines to help produce the award-winning wines being produced by today's island vintners.

Above all, the ancestors of Hvar have passed on the secrets of the sea, with fishing an important part of island life. The best fishermen will have learned their trade from fathers and grandfathers, and the owners of Hvar's best fish restaurants begin their association with the sea at an early age.

The future of Hvar's premier restaurant, Gariful, looks secure from the picture above. Taken in 2008 and featured in regional daily Slobodna Dalmacija, as Ivan Junior, just short of his second birthday, displays a strong work ethic and close relationship with the fruits of the Adriatic.