Agreed on Split. Dubrovnik is beautiful but a little nutty with tourists and the food was decent. I’d go again but it’s a haul to get to if driving down from main Croatia.
I really dug Split. The vibe, walkability, food, etc. Stayed in old town and had everything at our doorstep.
The beer will almost always be substandard. Just drink it as cold as possible.
Although I bought a 2L plastic bottle of Korlavacko for 2E. Not sure that was a good buy.
Plitvice is fantastic. We stayed at a pension just down the street from the gates and had an incredible meal there. Very typical Croatian homemade lamb/potato/carrot peka.
I’d recommend a stop along Makarska Rivieria. Lots of beautiful seaside towns. Super fresh seafood and at great prices. We stayed in Tucepi.
We are going back this summer with the kids and doing Istria with a couple nights in Rovinj and a bunch on the coast south of Pula after.
Tl;dr
Chevaps for lunch, seafood for dinner, gelato for dessert. Rinse and repeat.
Wine over beer.
Travarica is my slivo of choice. It’s herbal brandy whereas the plum is rough, and pear is ok.