There are several restaurants on Brač that regularly appear in recommendations from visitors, and Nono Ban has certainly been one of them for many years. Located in the old village of Gornji Humac, on the road to Bol, it is known for its elegant setting, modern take on local Mediterranean cuisine, and focus on ingredients from the island. That was exactly why we decided to visit and see whether it lives up to its reputation.
We arrived for dinner with fairly high expectations. Not only because of the many recommendations, but also because of what the restaurant itself promises – a refined dining experience, local ingredients, high-quality service and an authentic taste of Brač.
By the end of the evening, it was clear that this would be a slightly different review from our usual ones. We loved the setting, the food was very good, but the service unfortunately made a significant difference to our overall experience.
That does not mean Nono Ban is a bad restaurant. Quite the opposite. That is precisely why it was even more disappointing that the level of service that evening did not match the quality of the setting and the food. We sincerely hope this was an exception, because it would be a shame if the service were to overshadow what the restaurant does very well.
First Impressions: You Know You’ve Arrived Somewhere Special
Arriving in Gornji Humac has a charm of its own. This small village is one of the most authentic places on Brač, and Nono Ban fits beautifully into its surroundings.
As soon as you pass through the stone entrance gate, you step onto a spacious terrace designed in a traditional Dalmatian style. Brač stone, natural materials and simple details dominate the space, creating an elegant look without feeling overdone. Everything appears carefully considered, and the terrace is large enough for bigger groups while still offering a sense of privacy for couples and smaller parties.
This is one of those restaurants you will almost certainly want to photograph before you even sit down. Every corner looks beautiful, and the entire property gives the impression that a great deal of attention has gone into its aesthetics.
Unfortunately, our first contact with the restaurant was also the first sign that the service that evening would not quite match the rest of the experience.
After we entered the terrace, several members of staff looked in our direction, but no one came over to greet us. As first-time visitors, it was not immediately clear where we were supposed to go or whom we should approach. After a few uncertain steps, we made our way to the large stone bar and waited for someone to come over so we could let them know about our reservation.
The young waiter who eventually approached us was friendly and immediately showed us to our table, so that initial impression quickly improved. Still, at a restaurant of this level, we would expect guests to feel welcomed from the moment they walk through the entrance. It is a small detail that takes only a few seconds, but these are exactly the details that often shape your first impression of an entire evening.
A Modern Take on Mediterranean Cuisine with a Taste of Brač
Nono Ban’s menu is based on local ingredients and modern Mediterranean cuisine. You will find Brač lamb, fresh fish, octopus prepared under a bell, dry-aged steaks, local cheeses and prosciutto, alongside more contemporary dishes such as tartare and pasta with blue crab.
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This is not a restaurant trying to be a traditional Brač konoba. The focus here is on a more refined approach to Mediterranean cuisine, using quality local ingredients.
After we sat down, the waiter brought us the food menu, but not the drinks menu. There was no particular introduction to the menu or recommendations, which surprised us slightly because at restaurants like this, staff often play an important role in telling the story behind the dishes and wines.
Since we already knew what we wanted to try, this was not a problem for us. We ordered tuna tartare, shrimp tartare and pljukanci pasta with blue crab, and asked if all three dishes could be served together so we could share them.
The waiter immediately told us that the pasta would take around 20 minutes to prepare, which was perfectly fine with us. It was only then that he noticed he had not brought us the drinks menu, so we ordered the house Malvazija by the glass and a bottle of water.
We have to admit that we were not particularly fond of being automatically served bottled water without being asked, especially in Croatia, where tap water is perfectly safe to drink. This is not something we would single out this restaurant for, as it is a common practice in many restaurants today, but personally, we always appreciate being given the choice.
While waiting for our food, we decided to explore the rest of the property. Alongside the restaurant, there are luxury villas and apartments, as well as a beautifully designed pool area with sun loungers that is also available to restaurant guests during the day. The entire complex follows the same distinctive Dalmatian style, and it is clear that a great deal of attention has gone into every detail.
Very Good Food, Although the Portions Leave Room for Debate
We waited a little over half an hour for our dishes, which was somewhat longer than the time we had been given, but not enough to cause any real problem.
We started with the tuna tartare. It was fresh, lightly spicy and very well balanced. The citrus notes and olive oil complemented the tuna rather than overpowering it. It was one of those dishes we would happily order again.
The shrimp tartare made an equally good impression. Before serving it, the waiter suggested adding a little more olive oil, which turned out to be a good recommendation. The flavour was more delicate, creamier and very elegant.
We would rate both tartares as excellent. The only reason we would not give them a full five stars is the portion size, which, particularly considering the €21 and €22 price tags, felt like it could have been a little more generous.
For our main course, we chose pljukanci pasta with blue crab. Since we had recently tried a similar dish at Wine Bar Senjković, we were interested to see two different approaches to the same idea.
Here, the dish leaned more heavily on garlic and parsley, which unfortunately took some of the attention away from the delicate flavour of the crab. Still, it was a perfectly good dish, with well-prepared homemade pasta.
We were initially served just a few slices of bread with the starters, which disappeared very quickly. Later, we asked one of the waitresses for some more, and she immediately brought us a much fuller basket.
At one point, our waiter came over to check whether everything was all right with the food. It was a nice and professional touch that showed some attention to the guests. Unfortunately, we barely saw him again after that. It was at this point that the evening slowly started to take a different turn.
A Pleasant Dinner That Ended in a Way We Didn’t Expect
During the meal, we ordered a few more glasses of the house Malvazija. We enjoyed the wine. It was somewhat fuller-bodied than a classic Malvazija, while still fresh, pleasant and very easy to drink with the seafood dishes we had chosen.
The only small issue was that the final glass arrived almost completely warm, which was a shame for a white wine.
As we were finishing dinner, we started talking about dessert. The evening had been pleasant, the setting was beautiful, and ending the meal with something sweet seemed like the natural thing to do. Unfortunately, this was when the part of the experience that stayed with us the most began.
Empty plates and glasses remained on our table as time went by. The waitresses would occasionally pass our table while serving other guests, but no one came over to us. We tried several times to make eye contact so we could ask for the dessert menu or order something else, but simply could not get anyone’s attention. Almost an hour passed.
To be honest, we did not mind sitting there. The setting is pleasant enough to spend a long time talking and enjoying the evening. What bothered us was the feeling that our table had simply disappeared from the staff’s attention.
Eventually, when we had the opportunity, we stopped one of the waitresses and asked for the bill. She brought it over politely, we paid and slowly got ready to leave. Even then, no one came over to collect the money, thank us for coming or say goodbye. We simply got up and left.
For a restaurant with this kind of reputation, that ending was the biggest disappointment of the evening. We cannot say that the staff were rude. Quite the opposite – every individual interaction was polite and professional. The problem was that there were simply too few of them. We had the feeling that our table had effectively ceased to exist.
At a restaurant in this price range, these are exactly the details that make the difference between a very good dinner and an experience you want to come back to.
What We’ll Remember Most About Nono Ban
Looking back at the evening, it is a little unfortunate that the service is what stands out most in this review.
The setting at Nono Ban is one of the most beautiful we have experienced on Brač. The entire space has an elegant feel while still retaining an authentic island character. The food is very good, the ingredients are fresh, and it is clear that the kitchen knows what it is doing.
That is why we are even more inclined to believe that the experience we had is probably not what the restaurant wants to offer its guests.
Perhaps we simply visited on an evening when things did not work as they should have. The restaurant was busy, but it did not feel overcrowded or chaotic. That is precisely why it was difficult for us to understand how our table could have been almost completely forgotten during the final part of the evening.
We sincerely hope this was an exception rather than the rule. It would be a shame if the service were to undermine the impression of a restaurant that has clearly invested a great deal in its setting, food and overall concept.
Would We Recommend Nono Ban?
If you are looking for a restaurant with a beautiful setting for a romantic dinner or a special occasion, Nono Ban certainly deserves a place on your list. The setting itself is one of its biggest strengths, while the food is good enough to justify the reputation the restaurant has built.
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On the other hand, if you expect the level of service normally associated with restaurants in this price range, our experience did not meet those expectations.
That makes it difficult for us to give a straightforward recommendation.
After this evening, we probably would not choose Nono Ban again, but not because the food was bad or because the restaurant is not beautiful. Quite the opposite. Our decision is based on the fact that the service did not live up to the quality of everything else.
Still, we sincerely hope this was simply a bad evening rather than the usual standard. If that is the case, we believe many guests can have the kind of experience we ourselves expected when we booked our table.
Practical Information
Restaurant: Nono Ban
Location: Gornji Humac, Brač
Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean cuisine with local Brač ingredients
Best for: Couples, special occasions and guests looking for an elegant setting
Price range: Upper-mid-range
Our bill: €88 for two people (starters, main course, wine and water)
