Meet Dario Kožul: Founder of an Organic, Sustainable, and 100% Plant-Based Restaurant

Dario Kožul, the founder of BioMania, was one of the panelists at this year’s Greencajt festival and now reveals more about his BioMania project.

The BioMania brand and restaurant, founded by Dario Kožul, represent a concept of healthy eating and sustainable living, with a heartwarming green story behind it. It all began with a small idea that grew into something significant and beautiful.

“We started as a vegetarian street food stall on Croatia’s most famous beach, Zlatni Rat. Due to high visitor interest, we realized we couldn’t and didn’t want to stop there. Today, BioMania is an established vegan brand under the motto ‘Plant Based and Much More’. In addition to our street food stall, we launched a vegan restaurant that was among the top ten in the world last year in the ‘Vegan – Vegetarian’ category according to TripAdvisor,” Dario began.

From the outset, you had a different approach to hospitality. What still sets you apart today?

“Our main goal is to demonstrate that a sustainable approach to hospitality brings benefits to everyone – from the local community and small producers, to guests, employees, and the initiators themselves, as it is more economically viable than the usual business model. We strive to prioritize the well-being of people – our guests, suppliers, and partners. We grow some of our own ingredients to shorten the supply chain. For ingredients not available on the island, we first look within the County and occasionally throughout Croatia. When choosing suppliers, we consider their commitment to sustainability; we personally know most of our partners.”

What can someone expect when they visit for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner?

“We focus on details, from environmentally friendly materials and dedication to the Zero Waste concept, to an ambiance filled with greenery and a genuinely cheerful approach, and of course, delicious and balanced meals. It’s important for us to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating and many other things. By enjoying our dishes, guests become part of a broader story about sustainability and caring for the planet. In short, through daily practices and examples, we aim to inspire and educate our visitors about the importance of sustainable living.”

Besides sustainability, what else is the focus of the entire BioMania team?

“We believe that one of the keys to success lies in creating a warm, almost familial environment that encompasses all aspects of our business. Our commitment to sustainability extends not only to ecological aspects but also to building strong, human connections – with supplier partners, within our team, and with our guests. When you enter our space, you immediately feel welcomed and the warmth that comes from a energetically balanced working environment. This positive energy transfers to our guests, allowing them to enjoy a meal prepared with love and care. We believe that sustainability starts with people – how we treat our employees, our guests, and the community in which we operate.”

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Every meal at BioMania is the result of collaborative effort, friendly cooperation, and deep dedication to the goal. How did you manage to achieve this?

“This unique combination of sustainability makes BioMania a special place. In our context, circular economy means creating a sustainable system where resources are reused and recycled, waste is minimized, single-use plastics are avoided, waste is separated, energy efficiency is maximized, and water is used responsibly, all leading to a positive ecological impact. The role of a nutritionist in the team is crucial. She ensures balanced meals that not only taste good but are also balanced in terms of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. When creating dishes, special attention is given to eliminating gluten and other types of intolerances.”

This season, BioMania is introducing several novelties, and Dario has revealed what they are:

“We are expanding our collaboration with biodynamic producers into the field of winemaking. Last year, we introduced several wines from foreign producers, but this year we are returning almost exclusively to domestic winemakers, reflecting the growth and development of natural wines in Croatia. We are particularly excited about this,” Dario enthusiastically announced, while also hinting at upcoming events such as wine tastings and partnerships in the initiative ‘Dalmatian Lunch’ by the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County. The idea is to showcase Dalmatia through its traditional cuisine. “We are preparing several dishes to contribute to this commendable project.”

Do only vegans come to you?

“What characterizes us is that we seem to have hit the tastes and preferences of a very broad spectrum of people. More than 70% of our guests are flexitarians, meaning they eat everything. It’s great to see how people with truly different dietary habits often sit at the same table and enjoy flavors with equal enthusiasm,” Dario revealed with a smile.

You can visit the always cheerful BioMania team every day from 12:00 (soon from 10:00) to 22:00 at Bistro with a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea in the center of Bol and enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. If you find yourself at Zlatni Rat beach, from 11:00 to 17:00 as part of the ‘Food court,’ you will find not only organic but also 100% gluten-free options for dishes, desserts, and drinks.

 

This article was published on green.hr on 13 June 2024 (in Croatian). Author: Ines Ibrišević.
Translated by: BioMania team