The story
Nicolo Polo is the a-la-carte restaurant of the Boutique Hotel Marco Polo, a family-run hotel perched ten metres from the sea in Gradac, on the Makarska Riviera. The hotel opened in 1998 with nine rooms, the vision of Nikola Milišić, who had run one of the first Mediterranean restaurants in southern Sweden. Today his son Stipe Milišić runs the property, drawing on a degree in hotel management from Dubrovnik and experience at five-star hotels in Disney World. The restaurant bears the name of Marco Polo’s father – and of the hotel’s first owner – linking the present to a long maritime and trading heritage.
Dining takes place on open-air terraces with candlelight, moonlight and the sound of the sea. In cooler months, the interior of solid olive and walnut wood, Dalmatian white stone and an ever-present sea view creates a warm, authentic ambience. The staff, many of whom have been with the hotel since the beginning, deliver the personalised service that defines the property’s “home away from home” spirit.
The kitchen focuses on Mediterranean cuisine, drawing from a repertoire of old and nearly forgotten Dalmatian dishes. The menu combines traditional coastal flavours with a light Oriental influence, reflecting the region’s history as a crossroads. Alongside the classic seafood and grilled meats, you will find vegetarian options, rich pastas, refreshing salads and a children’s menu. Wines are selected from Croatia’s best-known regions, with wine tours to nearby Pelješac available for guests.
Nicolo Polo has been listed among the 100 best Croatian restaurants since 2007, and in 2026 it earned a Michelin Recommended distinction. The award acknowledges the kitchen’s consistent quality and its role in preserving Dalmatian culinary heritage – a quiet achievement that speaks louder than any marketing slogan.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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