Fenix, the most anticipated Zadar restaurant of the season, opens on May 1st, 2025, within the luxury Hyatt Regency Zadar hotel and brings a new level of hedonism to the Zadar gastronomic scene. With its floating terrace above the crystal-clear Adriatic, the restaurant will become an unmissable destination for all gourmets, and accommodation in Zadar will be more sought after than ever.

Global brand meets Dalmatian charm

The arrival of the Hyatt group, one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world, marks a turning point for the destination, which has seen constant growth in arrivals and overnight stays in recent years. Hyatt Regency Zadar, located in the renovated palace of the former Maraska factory, features 133 elegantly decorated accommodation units – 110 spacious rooms and 23 suites – with panoramic views of the old town and the Zadar channel. Positioned thus, the hotel confirms that accommodation in Zadar is now synonymous with a luxury vacation accompanied by top-notch gastronomy.

Architectural story of the Maraska building

The Maraska Palace was built in 1911 as a distillery for the famous Maraschino liqueur. After decades of neglect, investors invested 55 million euros in its revitalization, preserving the original Art Nouveau facade while adapting the interior to contemporary five-star standards. Steel beams and brick vaults have been given a new look, creating a blend of industrial charm and modern luxury.

Culinary philosophy: Fusion of Asia and Latin America

Fenix moves beyond classic Mediterranean frameworks and brings a bold fusion of Asian and South American flavors. Sea bass ceviche in leche de tigre marinade, homemade tarama spread with bottarga, tiger prawns in tempura, wontons with duck confit, and bao buns filled with lamb ribs are just a fraction of the menu designed for sharing dishes. The "share plates" concept encourages communication at the table, while the focus on fresh local ingredients perfectly fits the "farm to table" philosophy.

Chef team and mastery behind the scenes

The kitchen is managed by an international team that gained experience in restaurants from Singapore and Tokyo to Lima and Buenos Aires. The executive chef – whose name will be revealed only on the opening day – announces a seasonally changing menu and exclusive "chef’s table" evenings, where guests will watch complex techniques of flambéing, fermentation, and sous-vide seafood preparation from the front row. The kitchen is also accompanied by a laboratory for experimenting with ferments, which will be open to curious guests during special tours.

Signature cocktails and tropical bar

The award-winning bartending team has created a cocktail menu inspired by Zadar's winds. "Bura Negroni", "Jugo Margarita", and "Maestral Spritz" with local sparkling wine are served on the terrace alongside the Lungomare promenade. Resident DJs blend house rhythms with Latino beats on weekends, while the sky turns into a palette of orange and purple tones.

Interior design: Tropics Dalmatian style

The Fenix interior is designed from recycled Dalmatian pine wood, hand-glazed terracotta surfaces, and fabrics in warm sand tones. Semi-transparent textile curtains above the central bar filter light like a tropical canopy. A mural by a local artist depicts a phoenix rising from the sea, symbolizing a new chapter for Zadar's hospitality industry.

Sustainability and social responsibility

Fenix and Hyatt Regency Zadar implement a series of environmentally responsible practices: composting bio-waste, photovoltaic panels, a smart air conditioning system, seawater filtering for cooling, and replacing plastic with glass. Surplus food is donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, and hotel bicycles are available for guests to explore the city without CO₂ emissions.

Educational programs and culinary workshops

The monthly "Taste Lab" is an educational program where gastronomy students and foodie enthusiasts learn advanced techniques of sashimi cutting, fermentation with a koji starter, and food pairing with craft beers. The program includes visits to the fish market and farmer's market, strengthening the restaurant's connection with local producers.

Entertainment throughout the year

During autumn and winter, Fenix organizes ramen festivals, Latino brunch weekends, and wine workshops with winemakers from Dalmatia and Istria. Such events encourage guests to extend their stay, and accommodation in Zadar becomes an extended link in an unforgettable experience.

Hyatt Regency Zadar: More than bed and breakfast

The hotel offers the all-day-dining Palm House, a rooftop lounge with an infinity pool, Synergy Spa, a fitness studio, and 1,000 m² of conference space. By connecting hotel facilities with attractions like the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, an unforgettable stay filled with culture, gastronomy, and luxury is created.

Technology at the guest's service

The Hyatt Mobile app allows for mobile check-in, menu viewing, drink ordering, and chat with the concierge. Wireless sensors in the tables send real-time data to staff, reducing waiting times and raising the level of service. The "Gastro Explorer" package includes a virtual guide through Zadar's galleries, boutiques, and hidden viewpoints.

Detailed look at the menu

The menu is divided into seven sections: "Crudo Bar" brings Adriatic tuna sashimi with miso emulsion, "Flavours of Peru" celebrates Nikkei tradition, "Asian Street Food" offers gyoza and bao bites, "From the Grill" highlights Istrian Boškarin ribeye, "Plant-Powered" delights with beetroot carpaccio with citrus gremolata, "Sweet Finale" tempts with dark chocolate mousse with chili, and "Chef’s Signature" presents a seven-course tasting menu.

Wine and spirits list

The sommelier team has selected 220 labels with an emphasis on indigenous varieties Maraština, Pošip, and Babić, alongside rare Pinots from Chile's Casablanca, biodynamic Champagnes, and 40 craft gins. "Low-ABV" cocktails based on vermouth and Mediterranean herbs offer a non-alcoholic alternative.

Wellness and gastronomic spa rituals

Synergy Spa offers treatments inspired by the flavors of Fenix – salt and citrus scrub, warm macadamia oil massage, and a detox smoothie of mango, ginger, and mint. A "Spa Bento" box with tuna sashimi, quinoa, and a matcha cookie combines pleasure and well-being.

Connection with the local community

Fenix provides scholarships for students of the Zadar Hotel and Tourism School and organizes "Gastro Walks" – culinary tours through the historic city center ending with a tasting at the restaurant, strengthening the connection between hospitality and cultural heritage.

New wind in the sails of Zadar tourism

According to the Croatian Tourism Association, Zadar achieved 1.7 million overnight stays in 2024, with an 18% growth in high-spending guests. Analysts predict a 25% growth in luxury city-break trips over the next three years, and projects like Fenix are catalysts for this expansion.

Statistics and projections

The Institute for Tourism estimates that the average guest of a luxury hotel spends 245 euros per day, one-third on gastronomy. Fenix, with a capacity of 160 seats and an average check of 85 euros, plans to host 40,000 visitors in its first year and generate revenue of 3.4 million euros.

Price range and availability

Prices are designed to cater to a wider range of guests: cold appetizers range from 12 to 24 euros, main courses from 24 to 42 euros, while desserts cost 11 to 16 euros. The seven-course tasting menu with wine pairing is 95 euros, and signature cocktails are 14 to 18 euros. Hotel guests receive a 10% discount on the entire bill during the first three months of the restaurant's operation.

Tips for an ideal visit

To catch the best sunset view, book a table on the terrace between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. For family lunches, an earlier time around 1 PM is recommended, when children's menus and ceramic plate painting workshops are available. Business lunches can be held in a private box with multimedia equipment, making Fenix an ideal place for closing deals in an informal yet elegant setting.

How and when to book?

Reservations are accepted from April 24th on the official Hyatt Regency Zadar website or by phone. The "soft opening" on April 29th will host about fifty guests, and the grand opening on May 1st will be accompanied by fireworks and a performance by a London DJ duo.

What does the future hold?

The hotel plans a gourmet festival "Taste of Dalmatia" in September 2025 and off-season packages combining accommodation in Zadar, fine dining, and private boat trips to the Kornati islands. If you are looking for a spring city-break, now is the right time to secure your accommodation in Zadar and take advantage of early-bird discounts until April 30th, 2025.