It is an understatement to say that Korčula is an incredibly interesting gastronomic destination. Right at the beginning of our conversation, Ivan Marelić Maha, one of the island‘s most recognizable figures, reminded us of this once again, just in case. For over 20 years, he and his family have been running the highly successful Konoba Maha. You‘ve probably heard of them; they are unique personalities who even appeared in the travel food series Somebody Feed Phil, which we have written about before. And if you have ever vacationed in Korčula, chances are you have already tasted their food.
In addition to the konoba, Ivan Marelić Maha is also proud of his two burger bars. Now, with the same enthusiasm, he announces a new project—Bazita. This restaurant, as he explained, combines Balkan, Asian, and Italian cuisine. While it may sound unusual at first, the Maha family has carefully developed the concept, aiming to bring something more diverse and richer to Korčula.
"Korčula is a small town, but it is incredibly rich in gastronomy. I am so proud of our food scene, and sometimes I wonder why we aren‘t promoted more, considering how much we have to offer. We have a Michelin star, top-quality konobas, an excellent tapas bar, craft burgers made with local ingredients, and now we have a place like this," said Maha.
He went on to explain that they took over a large space that previously housed a grill restaurant. It is located within Spot Mall, the only shopping center on Korčula. Their goal was to create a fusion of Italian—more precisely, Mediterranean—and Asian cuisines. Since they have both indoor and outdoor grills, they decided to incorporate Balkan flavors as well.
"Maybe this concept is already familiar in Zagreb, but here on our island, it’s something new, and I think we have put it together really well," he added.
The menu features a mix of these culinary influences as well as some classic dishes. Guests can enjoy al taglio-style pizza, homemade pasta such as cacio e pepe, carbonara, and bolognese. The restaurant also takes full advantage of the island’s fresh seafood, which is available daily.
Among the Asian-inspired dishes, Maha highlights teriyaki beef, crispy pork with coleslaw, and gyozas. The Balkan influence is evident in grilled dishes like pljeskavica (a Balkan-style burger) and chicken thighs in kajmak sauce.
"Even though it might seem like a lot, we are not trying to create an overly extensive menu. Instead, we will change the menu frequently," said Maha.
Currently, the restaurant employs between 10 and 15 people. The kitchen is large, and the indoor dining area can seat about 95 guests. The outdoor space features a spacious terrace with a great view.
"We also have parking. The mall has a garage, which is something that is often missing in Korčula during the high season when you go out for lunch or dinner. We even set up an area for live music, so we will be hosting musicians as well. Right now, we are testing things out, and soon the season will be in full swing. That’s just how I am—when I started the burger bar four or five years ago, my initial idea was to open a bistro. At one point, everyone was asking for sandwiches and burgers, so I gave in and focused on making burgers. And what can I say? I perfected them. Now it was time for something new, so my brother and I decided to go for it."
Ivan and his brother Jakša have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. Throughout this time, they have had the full support of their parents and have continuously invested in their culinary education.
"We are passionate about gastronomy—there is nothing more to say. After the konoba and the burger bars, opening a place like this was the logical next step. When you have such a strong food scene and access to high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, you can’t produce a bad dish. And when you have all that, it would be a shame not to share it with others," Ivan concluded.
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