Modern Dalmatian$$$Diocletian's Palace, RivaOpened 2018 by Ivan Pažanin · Plava Kamenica
"Ivan Pažanin's truffle pasta inside Diocletian's Palace, on the finest terrace on Split's Riva. Book it for a first date."
7Food
9Ambience
7Value
About Štorija
Ivan Pažanin made his name on Croatian television before he opened Štorija on Split's Riva in 2018, with sommelier Roko Bekavac running the cellar. The room is built into Diocletian's Palace itself, stone arches and chandeliers under walls that have stood since the fourth century. The kitchen cooks Dalmatian produce with a fine-dining hand, and the terrace looks straight out over the Adriatic. It is the most-photographed table on the promenade, and the food earns the address rather than coasting on it.
The Kitchen
Pažanin trained in Dalmatian kitchens, including the Trogir restaurant Don Dino, before he and Roko Bekavac took the Štorija site on the Riva. His cooking stays local and reads clearly: hand-rolled pasta with Istrian truffles, black cuttlefish risotto, and monkfish wrapped in Dalmatian pršut. Fish comes from the morning catch, and the wine list leans hard into Dalmatian growers, with Bekavac steering pairings by the glass.
Expect to spend around €60 to €90 per person for three courses with a glass of wine. The dated proof is on the door: Štorija opened in May 2018 and Pažanin remains a recognisable face from RTL's cooking show 3, 2, 1 – kuhaj!. It sits comfortably among the best fine dining worldwide; for the wider picture, read the full Split dining guide or our guide to the best restaurants in Split.
The Room
The dining room is set under original Roman stone arches, lit low by chandeliers, with white linen and a quiet, easy hum rather than a roar. The prized seats are on the open terrace facing the Riva and the sea, where the light at sunset does most of the work. Tables are spaced for conversation, service is attentive without hovering, and the dress code is smart-casual. In peak season the terrace fills fast, so the early seating is the calmer one.
Best for a First Date
Book Štorija for a first date because it does three things at once: a view that carries the evening, a room with genuine atmosphere, and food good enough to talk about. The terrace at sunset over the Adriatic sets a tone no bistro can match, and the à la carte format means you can keep it to two courses or stretch it out depending on how the night goes. Ask for a terrace table at the early seating, order the truffle pasta to share, and let Bekavac pour something Dalmatian by the glass.
Not for
Not for a quiet, private dinner in August. The terrace fronts Split's busiest promenade, and summer nights bring cruise crowds streaming past your table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Štorija worth it?
Yes, for the setting and the cooking together. Štorija is built into Diocletian's Palace with a terrace over the Riva, and chef Ivan Pažanin plates serious modern Dalmatian food rather than tourist-trap pasta. At roughly €60 to €90 per person it is not cheap by Split standards, but for a special night on the waterfront it earns the spend.
How hard is it to book Štorija?
Easy off-season, much harder from June through September. The terrace tables are the ones everyone wants, so reserve a week or two ahead in summer and ask specifically for the terrace. Reserve direct with the restaurant by phone or through its social pages. Cancellations open up, so it is worth asking again closer to the date.
What is the dress code at Štorija?
Smart-casual. There is no jacket rule, but this is the most prominent fine-dining room on the Riva, so most diners dress up a little for dinner on the terrace. A collared shirt or a summer dress is the right register. Beachwear will feel out of place at an evening table.
What should I order at Štorija?
Start with the hand-rolled pasta with truffles, which is the kitchen's calling card, then go for the monkfish wrapped in Dalmatian pršut or the black cuttlefish risotto. Whole fish is sold by weight from the day's catch. Let sommelier Roko Bekavac pair a Dalmatian white by the glass; the local Pšit and Pošip work well with the seafood.
Diner Reviews
Marko D.September 2025
Occasion: First Date
Booked the terrace at sunset and it did all the heavy lifting. The truffle pasta is as good as everyone says and the sommelier read us perfectly, pouring a Pošip that suited the fish. The palace walls behind us made it feel like an occasion without trying too hard.
Ana K.July 2025
Occasion: Birthday
We came for my mother's birthday and asked for a quiet corner inside under the arches. The monkfish in pršut was the dish of the night. It gets busy and loud on the Riva side in July, so the inside room was the right call. Service stayed warm even when fully booked.
Reserve direct with the restaurant on the Riva. Walk-ins are possible off-season; book ahead from June to September.
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Practical Information
AddressObala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 15, 21000 Split
NeighbourhoodDiocletian's Palace, Riva
CuisineModern Dalmatian
PriceAbout €60–90 per person, à la carte
Dress CodeSmart-casual
DietaryVegetarian dishes; ask for gluten-free
ReservationBook ahead in summer; by phone or social