The Top 10 Restaurants In Rovinj Croatia

The beautiful Croatian port of Rovinj is often called ‘the pearl of the Istrian peninsula’, but stunning scenery isn’t the only thing the city has to offer. Here, foodies will find a treasure trove of outstanding restaurants cooking up everything from local Istrian eats to fine French Fare, read on to discover the very best.

1. Barba Danilo

Restaurant, Croatian, Israeli

Mediterranean and Istrian cuisine gets the gastronomic treatment at Barba Danilo, a popular, family-run Rovinj restaurant. Chef de cuisine Goran Glavan’s menu mixes respect for local culinary traditions with a contemporary twist, offering diners delicious fare like Istrian sausage with Adriatic calamari and sea bass fillet with apple and vanilla; alongside plenty of pasta dishes including homemade fuzi with mushrooms and speck. The location is just as good as the menu, with a smart, chic and inviting dining room and a beautiful garden open during summer months.

2. Tugurio

Restaurant, Croatian

Located on the outskirts of the city, Tugurio is a friendly tavern boasting a typically Istrian interior with a welcoming ambience and a gorgeous open terrace where guests can dine on the restaurant’s locally inspired cuisine under the sun. Expect fare like Istrian ham, pasta with truffles, Pag Island cheese, local seafood specialties and pizzas cooked to perfection in Tugurio’s wood-fired oven. However, if you try just one thing, make sure it’s the suckling pig, fired on a spit on an outdoor grill, diners routinely hail the dish as the restaurant’s best dish.

3. La Perla

Restaurant, Croatian

Undoubtedly one of the most raved about restaurants in all of Rovinj, popular La Perla is a must-do for any foodie visiting the city. Elegant and inviting, the restaurant’s stylish, modern interior sets the scene to enjoy La Perla’s signature mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine, with standout dishes that include the likes of tuna tagliata with cherry tomatoes and anchovies and pljukancipasta with prosciutto, asparagus and truffles. Semifreddo with forest fruits is just one example of the kind of tempting desserts La Perla serves, while its extensive wine list features plenty of locally produced offerings.

5. Rio Bar

Bar, Restaurant, Croatian, Mediterranean

First opened way back in 1968, Rio Bar has been one of Rovinj’s favorite spots for almost half a century, and with its marina locale, it boasts some of the best views in town. Plenty of Croatian and Mediterranean fare abounds on Rio Bar’s menu, from dishes like ravioli with Istrian truffles and sea bass served with garlic and potatoes to indulgent desserts like semifreddo and chocolate mousse. If they’re lucky, guests can grab a seat on the restaurant’s marina-side terrace and take in a gorgeous sunset while sampling a glass or two of local wine.

6. Dream Restaurant

Diner, Restaurant, Croatian, Fusion, Soup

Nestled in the heart of Rovinj’s Old Town, award-winning local haunt Restaurant Dream resides in a beautifully renovated 19th-century building full of local Istrian character and offers diners a tempting mix of both traditional fare and creative fusion cuisine. Start with a bowl of traditional soup, choose from maneštra, an Istrian vegetable stew, or cuttlefish stew with polenta, before heartier plates like lamb chops with gnocchi and truffle sauce or homemade ravioli stuffed with oxtail.

7. Tipico Old Town

Tipico Old Town

Traditional Istrian cuisine with a contemporary twist crafted from fresh, local produce is the order of the day at Tipico Old Town; a popular local dining spot opened in 2011. Chef Goran Hlišć cooks up a menu brimming with tempting appetizers like black ink risotto with squid and parmesan cheese or beef carpaccio with sweet red cabbage, balsamic vinegar and Istrian sardines; followed by mouthwatering mains including pork medallions stuffed with sausage and smoked cheese or sea bass with Swiss chard, sesame seeds, boiled potatoes and rocket salad. Leave room for dessert though,Tipico Old Town’s honey and lemon cheesecake is a must-try.

Tipico Old Town, Grisia 32, Rovinj, Croatia, +385 91 349 4006

8. Wine Vault

Restaurant, Croatian, French, Mediterranean

For a first-rate fine-dining experience, foodies in the know look no further than Wine Vault, an upscale restaurant located within the Monte Mulini Hotel serving a mix of modern French and Mediterranean fare alongside one of the most extensive wine lists. There are over 500 bottles, half of which are homegrown in Croatia. Styled like a traditional wine cellar, Wine Vault’s stylish, warm dining room is an inviting space,but for an extra indulgent evening, the chef’s table, where Executive Chef Teo Ivanišević crafts bespoke gastronomic experience for guests is ideal.

9. Taverna De Amicis

Taverna De Amicis

Taverna De Amicis is a comfortable, welcoming spot hailed as the city’s best-hidden gem since opening its doors last year. Mediterranean cuisine is the focus, and homemade pasta and seafood are Taverna De Amicis’ specialty; think dishes like oven-cooked Adriatic octopus with potatoes and vegetables, local pasta with shrimp or dondole and mussels in white wine. A range of delicious homemade desserts is also served: choose from irresistible sweet treats like panna cotta or apple and cherry cake.

Taverna De Amicis, De Amicis 1, Rovinj, Croatia, +385 98 482 166

Dondole and mussels in white wine at Taverna De Amicis | Courtesy Taverna De Amicis

10. Brasserie Adriatic

Bar, Brasserie, Restaurant, Croatian, French, Dessert

Brasserie Adriatic’s chic, modern interior and mix of contemporary, French Riviera-inspired cuisine with local, seasonal flavors have seen the restaurant hailed as one of the best in the city. Foodies are in for a treat with exquisitely plated dishes like seafood and scallop salad with truffled croutons and roast rack of lamb with broad bean remoulade to start, and desserts like almond crème brûlée with fresh lavender to finish. Fans of whiskey won’t be disappointed either, Brasserie Adriatic’s bar boasts the biggest whiskey list in the country, with over 100 choices available.

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