La Pentola Lanterna – our favorite Italian restaurant at Lanterna Camping in Croatia

When staying at the Lanterna Premium Camping Resort in Croatia, you’ll find several restaurants to choose from – but one in particular stood out to us: La Pentola Trattoria Italiana. Known among campers as simply “La Pentola Lanterna,” this charming Italian eatery is perched right above the Adriatic Sea, offering stunning views and a cozy, rustic vibe.

In this review, we’ll take you through our full experience – from the food and service to the atmosphere and location – to help you decide if La Pentola should be on your must-visit list during your stay at the campsite. Whether you’re craving pasta, pizza, or just a scenic dinner spot after a beach day, this place might just have what you’re looking for.

Where is La Pentola Lanterna located inside the campsite?

La Pentola Trattoria Italiana is tucked into one of the prettiest spots at Lanterna Premium Camping Resort. You’ll find it just next to the popular kids’ mini disco and close to the sports area, with tennis courts and ball fields only a short walk away. There’s a beach nearby too, and one of the resort’s pools is within walking distance—though not directly next door.

The restaurant sits slightly uphill, giving it a bit of a balcony feel. That means great views over the Adriatic and the chance to catch some truly beautiful sunsets while you eat. It’s a spot that feels close to everything, but just far enough to be peaceful.

Atmosphere, seating, and service – what it’s like to dine at La Pentola

La Pentola is divided into three main seating areas, each with its own vibe. Right at the entrance, there’s a small front terrace with just a few tables – a cozy spot if you want to sit close to the action or just grab a quick meal. From there, you can either head inside to the main indoor dining area, where you’ll find plenty of tables and the central bar, or walk through to the large terrace overlooking the sea.

That big terrace is where the magic really happens. With a wide-open view of the water and the sky, it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset while you enjoy your meal. We actually visited La Pentola twice – once we sat at the smaller terrace at the front, and another time we came straight from the pool and had lunch on the large sea-facing terrace. Both times, the experience was lovely, but the view from the big terrace easily made it our favorite spot on the entire campsite.

As for the service – it’s everything you’d expect from a well-run, tourist-friendly restaurant in Croatia. Staff were warm, helpful, and always smiling. They were happy to recommend dishes, made sure we were comfortable, and created a relaxed, welcoming vibe without being too formal. It felt easy and pleasant, just like a holiday meal should.

Let’s talk food – what we ordered and what we thought

We ate at La Pentola twice during our stay. The first time was on our very first evening at the campsite. It was already after 9 PM, we were tired and just wanted to eat something nearby without heading out. That’s when we spotted La Pentola and decided to give it a try.

That night, I went straight for the fried calamari (€17,50) – I had been craving them since the moment we crossed the border into Croatia. And I wasn’t disappointed. The portion was generous, the texture was just right (crispy outside, tender inside), and they ended up making it onto my personal Calamari Ranking of Istria.

We also shared a starter plate with bruschetta, cheeses, and toasted bread (€13,50). Nothing overly fancy, but it hit the spot – especially when paired with a cold and refreshing Aperol Spritz. It was the perfect relaxed first meal to kick off the trip.

The second time we visited was during lunchtime. It was quiet, with most campers still at the pool, so we had the terrace almost to ourselves. This time, I decided to branch out and try something different from my usual calamari routine – for the sake of variety (and this blog post).

I ordered grilled chicken coated in sesame seeds, served with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables. The flavor was actually really nice – everything was well seasoned, and the veggies were cooked just right. My only complaint? The chicken was a bit dry and slightly hard to cut, especially since it came served in a small, narrow, deep plate that didn’t make things easier. The sesame could also have been more toasted – it felt a little raw.

Tomek went for a pizza that day (Capricciosa – €12,50), and it turned out to be a great choice. The crust was thin and super crispy, and the toppings tasted fresh and high quality. He said it was one of the best pizzas he’s had on a campsite, and honestly, I had to agree after stealing a bite.

Is La Pentola family-friendly? Absolutely!

One of the best things about La Pentola is how well it fits into the family-friendly vibe of the whole Lanterna campsite. The restaurant is located right next to the kids’ mini disco and close to several playgrounds, so if your little ones are off having fun, you can enjoy your dinner nearby without any stress.

The menu is also very kid-friendly. Of course, there’s pizza – and we all know that’s a win with most children – plus pasta dishes and simple meals like grilled chicken with potatoes or vegetables. You won’t struggle to find something your child will actually eat.

There’s plenty of space, too. Whether you’re arriving with a stroller or need a bit of room for toddlers to move around, you won’t feel cramped. The entire campsite is clearly designed with families in mind, and La Pentola fits right into that. It’s casual, relaxed, and a comfortable spot for a family meal after a long day of swimming, playing, or exploring the resort.

Final thoughts – would we recommend La Pentola?

Definitely. Out of all the restaurants we tried at Lanterna Premium Camping Resort, La Pentola Trattoria Italiana was hands-down our favorite. The food was tasty, the atmosphere relaxing, and the location hard to beat – especially if you manage to catch the sunset from the sea-view terrace.

It’s a place that works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a cozy dinner after a long day at the beach or pool. The staff were kind and helpful, the menu had something for everyone (including picky eaters), and the setting made each visit feel like a little moment to slow down and enjoy.

There’s another restaurant we also visited a few times – the one at Piazza, near the campsite exit. It was a bit closer to our tent, so we often went there out of convenience. While it was okay and had a few solid options, it didn’t quite live up to the experience we had at La Pentola.

So if you’re staying at Lanterna and wondering where to eat at least once – this is the spot we’d point you to first.