Despite being a small village of less than a thousand inhabitants, Karanac has become a gourmet mecca for all lovers of traditional local cuisine. With just eight streets, it is home to many restaurants and family farms that provide that unique taste of the Baranja region. However, one of the best-known and certainly the most popular among locals and tourists is the Baranjska Kuća.

The Place Where Tradition Lives On

Located at the foot of the wine-growing Banovo hill, in the heart of Baranja, the traditional restaurant Baranjska kuća is one of the pioneers of the gastronomic scene in the picturesque village of Karanac. Regularly on the list of the top 100 restaurants in Croatia, this restaurant is where old and somewhat forgotten recipes are given a new shot. They are extremely proud of tradition, and they want to respect it at every step. That's why the menu consists exclusively of recipes and specialties from the Baranja region. Food and ingredients are always fresh and as domestic as possible. They pick vegetables from their own garden and collect eggs from chickens on the farm; how amazing is that? That's their charm. And you can feel that in every gastronomic delight that this restaurant serves.

The restaurant's interior is just like its food; traditional and charming. The walls are painted with interesting motifs, which are standard for this area. Wooden chairs, exposed beams, and details like old pots and lanterns hanging on the walls like some works of art are reminders of some former times.

Traditional Dishes to Try at Baranjska Kuća

A real hallmark of tradition, in Baranjska Kuća restaurant, you can try dishes you won't find anywhere else in Croatia. Start with nettle sauce with snails. Dip in some hot homemade bread served straight from the traditional earthen oven. Then choose between classic Baranja specialties such as carp on forks (our favorite), fish stew, čobanac (something like shepherd's stew but spicy), catfish perklet, or traditional bean stew. There is no better combo than authentic local food and equally delicious local wines. Sip a glass of one of the best Baranja white wines. An ace up the sleeve is the dessert. Start with Taške, a traditional dessert from the Slavonija and Baranja regions. It's something like dumplings, but the square shape and the dough are thin. It is usually filled with homemade plum jam and served with poppy seeds or granulated sugar topping. Or maybe try out the traditional Gužvara?

Stroll Down the Street of Forgotten Time

After lunch or dinner, toast with a glass of famous Rakija, and then stroll down the Street of Forgotten time. It hides in the backyard of the restaurant. There you will find a mill, a blacksmith's house built in the traditional Baranja style with mud, a barbershop, and a viewpoint that offers a breathtaking view of vineyards and village Karanac. Finally, don't forget to visit the souvenir shop, where you can taste and buy cured meat delicacies Baranja is famous for.

If you want to feel the uniqueness of the Baranja region, make sure to visit the traditional village of Karanac and the Baranjska kuća restaurant. The hospitality, cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and, even better, authentic traditional cuisine make this place unique and worth visiting.