From a winter storage for boats to a nautical resort
Marina Punat, the oldest marina on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, celebrated an extraordinary anniversary last year – 60 years of successful operation. For five decades it was the largest marina on the Adriatic, and today it maintains a leading role thanks to constant investment in safety, technology and service quality. It serves as a second home to more than 1,400 sailors who have entrusted their boats there for year-round care.
From the first days of business, ecology and environmental protection have been the fundamental values of Marina Punat. During the last ten years, the focus has been further directed towards sustainable development, with investments in energy efficiency and waste water treatment systems, as well as the use of solar energy.
Thanks to the excellent traffic connection of the island of Krk with the highway network, Marina Punat remains the most logical choice for sailors from Central Europe, whether for seasonal vessel storage or year-round mooring.
Today, the marina accommodates more than 850 vessels at sea and an additional 500 on land, offering comprehensive service throughout the year. In addition to the yacht service, there is also a supermarket, two nautical stores, Marina Punat Hotel & Resort with the four-star Kanajt hotel located among olive groves with mobile homes, and two restaurants – pizzeria “9 bofora” and the completely renovated restaurant “Marina”, the center of social and gastronomic life.
HEART OF THE MARINA: RESTAURANT MARINA
The reconstruction of the Marina restaurant is one of the biggest investments in the last year. On the site of the old building, a modern restaurant was built that can accommodate up to 300 guests, distributed across several interconnected spaces that bear symbolic names according to the parts of a boat and the winds specific to Puntarska draga. The main hall “Štiva” has a capacity of about 120 seats, with a semi-open and open terrace and a lounge area “Tambuć“, located next to attractive swimming pools and a modern children’s playground. On the first floor, there is an exclusive hall “Bonaca” with up to sixty seats and a special atmosphere, offering a panoramic view of hundreds of boats in the marina and unforgettable sunsets. The restaurant also contains two multipurpose halls – the “Tramuntana” conference room on the first floor and the “Timunjerija” multifunctional space on the ground floor, ideal for business meetings and PR events. In addition to smaller weddings and family celebrations, the venue increasingly hosts business presentations and meetings combined with team-building activities, especially when paired with accommodation in the Kanajt Hotel and bungalows.
The “Tramuntana” conference room
Restaurant Marina is a gastronomic destination known to sailors and guests from all over the island, but also increasingly recognized beyond the Kvarner region. In 2022, the restaurant received the prestigious Falstaff designation, and in 2024, the new restaurant was awarded two Falstaff forks as the highest-rated restaurant on the island of Krk. This year, Marina entered the competition for the elite gastronomic guide Gault&Millau, known for its strict criteria and emphasis on food quality. In the winter months, when most restaurants on the island close their doors, the Marina remains open, confirming its status as a year-round gastronomic destination.
The restaurant’s menu is based on seasonal and locally grown ingredients, combining the tradition of Krk cuisine with a modern culinary approach. The gastronomic concept merges local dishes with elements of modern cuisine – from street food inspiration through haute cuisine to lean cuisine style. The wine list is rich with labels from small Croatian winemakers, and the service has been elevated to a new level, which guests especially highlight in their reviews.
The kitchen is modernly organized, allowing simultaneous preparation of raw dishes such as sushi and carpaccio, as well as cooked and baked specialties on a wooden grill, while homemade bread is baked in the restaurant’s own bread oven.
FOOD SHARING WITH THE TASTE OF SPRING
There is never a shortage of Kvarner shrimp, fresh fish, and seafood specialties on offer. In spring, young Krk lamb is indispensable and prepared in several ways. It is especially fragrant and tender when prepared under the bell or as special dish called “žgvacet” with Krk pasta “šurlica.”
Asparagus, prepared in numerous ways, marks springtime on Krk together with lamb, and is especially delicious when combined with prawns.
It is especially fragrant and tender when prepared under the bell or as special dish called “žgvacet” with Krk pasta “šurlica”
Among the appetizers and small bites, the best-selling “Nagrišpano More” (shrimp cocktail, fried anchovy, sea bass ball, fried shrimp, tuna tataki) and “Vitello Tonnato alla Cristina” stand out.
A gastronomic experience should definitely be rounded off with dessert, and Krk “presanac” is an ideal sweet bite after any meal. This traditional island delicacy is prepared from simple ingredients – shortbread, sugar, eggs, and cottage cheese. What makes it special is that it requires fresh sheep’s cottage cheese, which is only available in spring, meaning this cake can only be tasted during a few months of the year.
