Istria gourmet experience for foodies: large guide to local gastronomy and restaurants

It is hard to imagine that you can experience Istria without its gastronomy.

However, this is a region that has the best olive oil in the world, great local wine, truffles and excellent Michelin restaurants.

In this text, discover all relevant places and facts about Istrian gastronomy that will make your stay in Istria unforgettable.

Cooking courses, private dinners, wine tours, the best restaurants, events, olive harvest, local farmers, find out everything below.

Best places to eat

Istria is full of fantastic restaurants, taverns, pizzerias, taverns and street food concepts….

Also, there are several places that are included in the Michelin guide, such as the excellent restaurants Monte and Agli Amici from Rovinj.

Street food

If you like street food, we recommend Tunaholic (Poreč), Fish House (Rovinj) and Zembie’s street food (Pula). Tunaholic and Fish House are places where the emphasis is on fish specialties.

Zembie’s street food is a favorite among locals and tourists due to its quality dishes and wide selection which includes meat, fish and vegan meals. In addition to classic burgers, tortillas and salads, they also include classic Istrian dishes (octopus, squid, Istrian soup) in the offer, which are made in the spirit of street food.

Zembie’s has affordable prices ranging from 5-10 euros. You won’t have to look for it around town, because from the Zembie’s there is a view of the Pula amphitheater, which is only 50 meters away.

Taverns

This small region is full of taverns where you can try original Istrian food. From pasta to soup and meat specialties, you won’t go wrong in your choice. Some of the most famous taverns are Vorichi (Barban), Boccaporta (Pula), Taj (Pula), Alla Beccaccia (Fažana), Konoba 2. Peron (Cerovlje)…

Restaurants

Istria is not very famous for top notch restaurants, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few excellent ones. In addition to those on the Michelin list, there are also San Rocco (Brtonigla), Stara Škola (Buje), Sveti Nikola (Poreč)… In most of them you can enjoy meat and fish specialties equally well.

If you want something special, a multi-course fine dining meal, then one of the most famous Croatian chef, Deniz Zembo, who runs the Amfiteatar restaurant, is definitely legitimate choice. It is enough to contact them a few days in advance with your wishes for the menu, regardless of whether you prefer meat, fish or vegans dishes. Find out more on their website.

Plant based food

If you are vegan, vegetarian or prefer plant-based or gluten-free, you don’t need to worry. There are many places in Istria that have, for example, vegan dishes on their menu.

However, if you want to play it safe, there is Vegan House, the first specialized restaurant with plant-based dishes. The prices are reasonable, and the food is at the level of high gastronomy. Check out their menu and prices on link.

Cooking classes: learn how locals eat and live

This is certainly one of the best ways to experience how the locals eat and live. It often happens that for people who don’t like cooking, this experience changes their lives.

Namely, you don’t have to have any knowledge or experience in cooking because the chef helps you prepare the food. The emphasis is on socializing, tasting food and excellent wines, and getting to know the traditions and customs of the locals.

This experience is equally suitable for couples, groups or families regardless of age. Choose between different programs here.

Wine or food tour: an unforgettable gastronomic experience

It’s hard to go wrong if you choose to visit a winemaker or a farmer to get to know Istrian gastronomy. Namely, this region is full of excellent producers of wine, olive oil, truffles and cheese. The most popular are certainly wine and food tours. In the latter, in addition to visiting the winemaker, the olive oil producer or another farmer is usually also visited.

You can go on a wine tour by yourself and directly book a with winemaker.

However, if you want a complete gastronomic experience, which includes a guided tour, an excursion and a visit to the best places, it is recommended to hire professionals or a local travel agency. Find out some wine tours here.

Private dinner or lunch: unique gastro experience

Private dinners are a very popular among foodies. Cooking by a top chef for a small number of people in an intimate atmosphere, usually surrounded by nature, sounds good, doesn’t it?

They are most often held in vacation homes, villas and yachts, and there are also variants in some of the restaurants. On this link you can find more about private dinners which includes experiences from another people.

Custom gastro experience in Istria

If you already know what you want, a special cooking course, a private dinner or catering, there are 2 agencies in Istria that offer programs completely adapted to your wishes. Although they already offer premade programs, they can create a gourmet program from scratch according to your wishes.

Istria Cooking team has the highest reputation, and they are also our recommendation. They offer cooking classes, food tours, catering and private dinners, rent a chef…

If you want the same, but luxurious gastronomic experience, then there is an Istria Vip Agency, the first and specialized travel agency for luxury vacations.