Konoba Anni review – Best fried calamari in Novigrad Croatia

Konoba Anni sits right on the main road into Novigrad, with a tiny parking lot out front and a sign that almost melts into the row of similar stone houses. If Google Maps had not shown me its 4.8-star score from more than two thousand reviews, we would have driven straight past without a second thought. One visit proved the rating was no fluke. The food was so good we circled back on our very last evening in Croatia because we simply could not leave without one more plate of those fried calamari.

Most days of this trip followed a laid-back routine. We woke up late, cooked breakfast on the camp stove beside the tent, and spent the morning splashing in the campground pool. Lunch was a casual “maybe” snack from the little market if hunger kicked in. By mid-afternoon we cleaned up, jumped in the car, and rolled toward the coast to explore. That is when Konoba Anni became our go-to dinner stop, proving that the best meals often hide in plain sight.

Getting there: location, parking, and first impressions

Konoba Anni sits at Stancija Rosello 36, 52466 Novigrad, Croatia. It is technically inside the town limits but a few minutes before the postcard-pretty old center, standing right on the main road that leads in from our Camping Lanterna. The building blends in with its neighbors, so you have to keep an eye out for the modest sign. Without Google’s glowing 4.8-star rating I would have sailed right by.

There is a small gravel lot out front that holds maybe a dozen cars. Because Konoba Anni is a local favorite the spaces fill fast, especially after 7 p.m. In early June we still managed to grab a spot both times, but the lot was packed edge to edge. Many diners simply stroll over from nearby apartments, which helps a little. If you plan to visit in July or August I would book a table and arrive on the early side, just to keep parking stress off the menu.

Despite the constant flow of guests the welcome felt relaxed. Staff greeted us with genuine smiles, took a quick look at the seating chart, and found room without making us wait more than a few minutes. The terrace buzzed with conversation yet never felt chaotic. That first warm greeting set the tone for both meals and hinted that everything—from service to seafood—was going to hit the sweet spot.

Atmosphere: simple Croatian charm with vacation Energy

Konoba Anni looks exactly like the no-frills tavern you hope to stumble on during a summer road trip. The floor is bare stone tile, the kind you spot on many Istrian terraces, and the furniture is solid wood—sturdy tables and heavy chairs built to survive long evenings of good food and louder laughter. Decorations are almost an after-thought. The place lets the food and the people do all the talking.

And people there are plenty. Even in early June every table was full, forks clinking and voices bouncing off the walls in a happy buzz. That crowd energy feels contagious in the best way—busy yet never stressful. The staff keep it running smoothly with wide smiles, quick jokes, and the kind of warm curiosity that makes you feel less like a tourist and more like a house guest. They guessed we were Polish, tried out a few words in our language, and welcomed us back on the second visit as if we were old friends. Leaving Croatia the next morning felt a little bittersweet because it meant saying goodbye to that easy mood along with the calamari.

Menu overview: Istrian classics and seasonal specials

Konoba Anni keeps things simple and local. The first half of the card is seafood: whole fish, fillets, mussels, prawns, and our beloved fried or grilled calamari. The other half covers land plates—steaks, pork, plus pastas and risottos that often show off Istrian truffles.

Drinks are just as local-minded. House wine by the carafe, bottles from nearby vineyards, a few Croatian lagers, and the usual soft drinks. We stuck with Coke Zero and still water. While you pick, the staff drop a basket of warm bread on the table. Perfect for nibbling while you decide what to order next.

What we ordered: the fried calamari plate

We went straight for the fried calamari and skipped alcohol since we had local wine waiting back at the tent.

The order comes in three separate pieces:

• A small ceramic pot piled high with golden-brown calamari rings, plus a lemon wedge for a quick squeeze of freshness.
• A matching pot filled with roasted potato cubes covered in creamy aioli. These potatoes honestly stole the show—crispy edges, soft centers, and that garlicky sauce.
• A side bowl of crunchy lettuce and diced tomato dressed with a light vinaigrette that lands perfectly between sweet and tangy.

Put all three together and you get the dream trio of salty-crisp calamari, cool salad, and those next-level potatoes. One serving is massive; it easily feeds an adult with room to spare. Last year this plate cost €16.40, and this season it has ticked up to €17.90, still a solid deal for the quality and portion size.

Timing your visit: reservations and peak hours

Konoba Anni opens its doors Monday through Saturday at noon and keeps serving until around ten in the evening; Sundays are their day off. If you wander in for a late lunch or an early afternoon bite the room still hums, but you can usually pick a table without waiting. The mood shifts after five or so. Families start rolling up from the nearby beaches, locals pop in after work, and holiday-makers arrive straight from the campsite. By six the place is packed and stays that way all evening, especially when a big football match is on—the owners set up a projector and the whole terrace cheers along.

Most guidebooks and plenty of Google reviews say the same thing we learned first-hand: in high season it is smart to reserve. We tried our luck twice in the first half of June. Turning up early the first evening was no problem, but a later dinner on our last evening had every seat taken. The staff worked magic and squeezed us in only because we explained we were about to leave Croatia.

Save yourself the suspense and ring ahead if you are visiting in July or August, or any time you are set on a relaxed evening meal. There is no special corner with a better view—they seat you wherever a spot frees up—so focus on landing a booking and you will be golden.

Final verdict: why Konoba Anni keeps calling us back

Konoba Anni is the one place in Novigrad I already miss the moment I leave town. Those fried calamari and aioli-slick potatoes still pop into my head when I scroll past the photos on my phone. If we were not so determined to taste our way around Istria we could have happily eaten there every night. The portions are huge, the bill is gentle on the wallet, and the staff treat you like old friends after just one visit. We will go back at the first chance we get—whether that means planning our next family road trip around this stretch of coast or grabbing a quick weekend flight just to sit down to that same meal again.

Who will love it? Anyone who craves fresh seafood cooked without fuss, travellers hunting good value, families who want friendly service that does not rush them, and, of course, every fellow calamari fan out there. If that sounds like you, put Konoba Anni at the top of your Novigrad food list and thank me later.