Drago Rančić

The owner and head chef of the restaurant Bocca Vera located on the Lošinj waterfront, next to the Museum of Apoxyomenos, has been in the hospitality business since he was 13.

He was born in Zadar in 1971 in a fishermen family, which somehow defined his professional path. From an early age, he hung around boats and nets, caught fish and learned how to prepare it in the simplest and most delicious way. He finished the cooking school in his hometown, and his mentors, that he calls the “old school chefs” taught him the basics. He improved his culinary skills working for years in Italy and Croatia. But he had to learn on his own how to run a successful restaurant where guests will be happy to return to.

After the war, his wife, who is originally from the nearby island of Cres, brought him to Lošinj. First, they ran a tavern in Veli Lošinj, then in 1998 they moved to Mali Lošinj and opened a fish restaurant, Barracuda. Five years later, they opened Bocca Vera, a restaurant that can accommodate 150 guests indoors and on the terraces.

He is proud of his team of chefs and waiters, some of whom have been working with him for over 25 years. The family business involves his two daughters who work in the restaurant and his son who is preparing for a culinary career. The restaurant attracts guests most with its fish dishes. And they often stay from lunch to dinner. After the exciting summer season, Drago is always happy to return to his favourite winter fishing on his boat.