Restoran Savić, a roadside restaurant with rooms
Restoran Savić is a roadside restaurant with rooms in Budačka Rijeka, in Croatia's Karlovac County. Guests mostly praise the roast lamb, the friendly staff and quick service. I'd pick it as a food stop on the way to the coast, or a simple base if you don't need frills.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Restoran Savić.
Where Restoran Savić is and how to get there
Restoran Savić stands on the D1 road in Budačka Rijeka, in Karlovac County, Croatia. It is a place you reach by car, and that is exactly how most reviewers found it, stopping on the way to the sea.
The setting is quiet, close to local forests and the river, and the old description says regional roads make getting there easy. Zagreb airport is the one it names for visitors from abroad. One guest calls the location great for Petrova gora, and another ate here regularly while spending time in Karlovac.
I have no information about public transport, so I would plan on driving.
What the rooms are like
The rooms at Restoran Savić in Budačka Rijeka are described as modern and practical. Each has free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The restaurant and a terrace sit on the same property.
| What there is | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Private bathroom with shower | No sharing, and toiletries are included |
| Free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV | The basics are covered |
| Restaurant and terrace | Dinner without getting back in the car |
Here is my honest caveat. The reviews I have are almost all about the restaurant, and none describes sleeping in a room. I cannot tell you how comfortable the beds are or how much road noise you hear at night, so I would ask before booking.
What guests highlight at Restoran Savić
The restaurant is clearly the star. Guests who write about it mostly give top marks, and the pattern is easy to spot.
- The lamb. It comes up again and again, described as juicy, well cooked and full of flavour, often with roast potatoes.
- The service. Several guests mention friendly, quick and professional staff, even when it gets busy.
- Honest home cooking. One guest says it is not fancy, but great if you like a good piece of meat done the traditional way. Others mention generous portions and fair prices.
- Coffee and pancakes. A reviewer praises both, along with a good schnitzel.
Google gives it 4.4. One reviewer who had not been for years said the service and atmosphere had improved a lot.
What to know before you book
Not everyone left happy, and the complaints are worth reading before you choose.
- Inconsistent standards. A long-time customer found the lamb overcooked and too salty on their latest visit, and thought a portion of potatoes was small for four people. Another guest reports mixed-up orders, a confusing menu and untidy toilets.
- Attitude of some staff. One guest says a group arriving by coach for a short break was made to feel unwelcome. It is a single account, but it is serious.
- Unreviewed rooms. As I said, I have no guest feedback on sleeping here.
Most reviews are strongly positive, but the contrast tells me quality can vary from visit to visit.
Who Restoran Savić is for
I would choose it as a meal stop for drivers heading to the coast, or for anyone who wants a simple room next to a restaurant and does not expect a boutique stay. Meat lovers will be the happiest.
I would skip it if you want detailed room reviews, a quiet retreat with lots of facilities, or smooth service every time.
What to do near Budačka Rijeka
I will stick to what I know. A guest mentions Petrova gora, and the road is a natural stop between inland Croatia and the sea. If you spend time around Karlovac, Restoran Savić works as a lunch spot as well as a place to stay.
It is best treated as a practical base for the road rather than a destination with its own long list of sights.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
