European Region of Gastronomy 2026

Discover the flavors of Kvarner, the European region of gastronomy, and enjoy the flavors of the islands, coast and mountains!

In Kvarner, you can enjoy sunny and green islands, coastal areas and mountainous areas, and this diversity of natural resources is also reflected in the gastronomy. Due to these special features and the excellence of the catering offer, thanks to which Kvarner restaurants have been listed in world guides such as Michelin, Gault Millau and Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe for decades, as well as due to the abundance of indigenous ingredients, dishes and grape varieties, Kvarner, the only one in Croatia, has been declared a European Region of Gastronomy. The best way to find out why Kvarner holds this title is to taste the wealth of Kvarner flavors that we encounter in the three Kvarner cuisines – coastal, island and highland.

The trademark of the coastal cuisine that stretches along the Opatija and Crikvenica-Vinodol Rivieras and Rijeka with its hinterland is the unique Kvarner shrimp, which can be enjoyed raw, grilled, in a juicy buzara or in risotto. The exclusive wines of the coastal region are Jarbola and Belica, which are found only here, and if you come in the spring, you will enjoy the taste of wild asparagus.

The coastal summer is heralded by Lovran cherries, and the autumn season is summed up in the flavors of large Lovran chestnuts. In the hinterland, heartier dishes are eaten, such as polenta kumpirica with hard sheep's cheese, salty presnac with cheese, ham and bacon, while the winter carnival season is marked by special carnival food.

If you head to the Kvarner islands – Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab, look for dried octopus frittata, Krk prosciutto, sheep's curd with sage honey, local pasta – šurlice and macaroni, with lamb scurvy, sheep's prosciutto and olive oils with a protected designation of origin.

You can sweeten your taste buds with sweet presnac made from young cheese, fragrant Rab almond-based cake, Lošinj krokant, and be sure to try the indigenous island wines - Žlahtina, the white queen of Kvarner, and the local red varieties Trojiščina and Sansigot.

If you prefer mountains and meadows, which offer a respite from the heat in summer and are covered in snow in winter, Gorski Kotar is for you. Gorski Kotar cuisine offers dishes made with game, forest mushrooms and brown trout, and strudel with wild blueberries is a must-try dessert in this region.

The Gorani people use the abundance of fruits and medicinal herbs to make liqueurs, jams and teas. Goransko zlato is a special type of honey – medun – a product with a protected designation of origin, and the staples of the snowy, winter menu of the Gorani people are sauerkraut and turnips, which are prepared as stews or as a side dish to meat dishes.

Therefore, what else can we say - come to our Kvarner and taste why Kvarner, the only one in Croatia, holds the title of European Region of Gastronomy!