We chose Baletna Škola in Kaštela based on its many positive reviews, and the setting certainly lived up to expectations. The location is beautiful and serene, with the option to dine outdoors next to a lovely park area that stretches between the restaurant and the sea. The ambiance was one of the highlights—peaceful and inviting.
The menu is extensive—at 15 pages, it felt a bit overwhelming and perhaps overly ambitious. While this provides a wide range of choices, it may come at the cost of consistency in execution.
Prices are slightly above the local average, yet the restaurant was still frequented by many locals during our visit, which is often a good sign. Interestingly, there were very few tourists, which added to the authenticity of the experience.
Service was average—not unfriendly, but it could have been more attentive and efficient, especially given the restaurant’s reputation and price point.
As for the food, it was overall fine, but it didn’t quite meet the high expectations we had. The shrimp, pasta, and chicken dishes we tried were decent, though none stood out as particularly memorable. The highlight of the meal was the grilled vegetables, which were truly excellent.
It's possible we simply didn’t choose the dishes that best represent the kitchen’s strengths. That said, with a menu this large, the expectation is that every dish offered should meet a certain standard of quality, especially in a restaurant with such strong reviews.
Unfortunately, we also experienced some mild stomach discomfort after the meal. We truly hope it was unrelated to this restaurant, but felt it was worth mentioning in the context of a balanced review.