Johnson

Rating: 15.5
Author: Gault&Millau

Majčevo 29B, 51417 Mošćenička Draga, Croatia

15.5/20
Remarkable Restaurant

6 PHOTOS

Cooking: Local | Mediterranean | Modern | Seafood | Traditional
Services: Pets allowed | Private Parking

Gault&Millau's review 2026

The Jurdana family has been running Restaurant Johnson since 1996, nearly three decades welcoming guests with a philosophy summed up in three words: naturalness, simplicity, and originality. The restaurant occupies the upper floor of a modern family home on the road connecting Mošćenička Draga with the historic hilltop town of Mošćenice. Guests can dine either in the elegant indoor dining room or on the attractive terrace overlooking Kvarner Bay. Johnson is best known for exceptionally fresh fish and the famous Kvarner scampi and shellfish. The professional and attentive staff will gladly introduce guests to the daily selection of seafood. Among the starters, highlights include marinated anchovies, sea bream carpaccio, octopus salad, and raw scampi tail served in an olive oil and lemon emulsion. The fish soup is deeply aromatic, and a perfect continuation is the al dente tagliatelle with scampi in a rich seafood sauce. Their black risotto, thick and creamy with pieces of cuttlefish and fresh parsley, is excellent and generously portioned, often enough for two people. The dentex fillet, firm and juicy with a crispy skin, served with young Swiss chard and boiled potatoes, stands out for its freshness and flavor. If you feel adventurous, try grilled scampi for dessert. Otherwise, the hazelnut semifreddo with red currant sauce provides a refreshing sweet ending. The wine list includes an excellent selection of Croatian labels, and the house wine Kabola is particularly pleasant and easy to drink. Guests return to Johnson time and again for its superb seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and professional service.