Producing some of the world’s finest foods, it’s no surprise that Istrian food and wineries offer some of Croatia’s most exciting gastronomic experiences. From sampling some of the best olive oils in the world and exploring its award-winning vineyards, to hunting truffles in the forests which swathe its interior, there are a plethora of culinary things to do around the peninsula.
The beauty of dining out in Istria is that eating in an affordable konoba tavern can prove just as satisfying as indulging at one of the coast’s fancy fine dining restaurants. World-class ingredients and superb local wines will always be an option at both.
The abundance of exquisite food in Istria also makes in-villa cooking a pleasure, and our luxury Istrian villas are more than well-equipped to allow you to experiment when you’re in the kitchen. This Istrian food and wineries guide gives you the low-down on a few of the region’s most famous delicacies and where to try them.
Istrian Food
Istrian food owes a lot of its success to the peninsula’s climate, which allows a variety of classic Mediterranean ingredients to grow here in abundance. You’ll see a lot of fresh seafood features in traditional dishes, along with a lot of pasta and some local cheeses.
Along the coast, fish is the dish of the day, with menus honouring local octopus, squid and oysters fresh from the Limski Kanal. Inland, Istrian food is a meatier feast, featuring rich boškarin cattle and local cured meats.
When it comes to notable Istrian food products, truffles and olive oil take star positions. We’ll explore the best places to enjoy these and some other classic flavours from Istria below.
Truffles
Istria’s forests are famous for their truffles, particularly the prestigious white truffle. The area’s restaurants use them in abundance – truffle pasta is an Istrian classic!
Head to Konobo Mondo in the ancient hilltop town of Motovun, where they shave fresh truffles on everything with gusto. Alternatively, for the ultimate fine dining truffle-themed meal, book a table at Rovinji’s Restaurant Zigante. It’s one of the best restaurants in Istria, famous for incorporating truffles into every single dish – including their ice cream!
Olive Oil
One of the most notable ingredients produced in Istria, which has a history spanning hundreds of years, is olive oil. To really get to grips with Istria’s liquid gold, explore the region’s ‘olive oil routes’ and visit some of the top-rated producers to learn more about the process and legacy behind this staple product.
In Pula, the House of Istrian Olive Oil teaches you to taste the oil like a pro and identify key aromas and flavours. They also have a super shop where you can purchase a range of local artisan flavours, providing the perfect place to stock up on Istrian food.
Alternatively, immerse yourself within the groves surrounding the city at scenic Villa Meneghetti. Dating back to the early 1900s, they offer olive oil tastings alongside sommelier classes and creative cookery masterclasses, using hand-picked olives that grow within the estate.
Boškarin
Boškarin is a breed of dairy cattle that originated from the Istrian peninsula and is featured in plenty of traditional recipes. Thanks to its prominence in modern Istrian cuisine, this once endangered Istrian ox is having a comeback.
Chefs need special training to prepare and cook it, so you will only find it in certain restaurants. Head to family-run Konoba Buščina, a 15-minute drive from Umag, and make sure you indulge in plenty of the restaurant’s olive oil too – they make it themselves!
Oysters
The Limski Kanal, also known as the Lim Fjord or Limski Channel, is famous for its oysters. A deep channel between stone cliffs is filled with water so pure that it has been designated a Marine Reserve, which means that the seafood from this area is absolutely exceptional.
The terrace at Viking Restaurant is our top pick for enjoying oysters and other Istrian food, both for the quality and presentation of the oysters and the view of the fjord’s glittering green waters. Or, if you want to enjoy oysters like a local, grab some from one of the area’s many street vendors (with a dash of lemon for good measure).
Sweet Treats
If you need an excuse to get stuck into a glass of Momjan’s famous muscat, then pair it with one of the region’s traditional puddings. Krafi, a ravioli-style pasta from Labin on Istria’s wild east coast, is stuffed with cheese, rum, spices, lemon zest and raisins – try it on the sunny terrace at Velo Kafe in Labin’s old town.
Fritule, a festive small sugary doughnut filled with lemon zest and raisins, also goes well, or for something a little plainer, try a kroštule. Consisting of strips of sweet, fried pasty, they’re a staple dessert that is often served around traditional festivals and special occasions.
Istrian Wine Tours
Tasting the region’s wines surrounded by the vineyards themselves is one of our favourite things to do in Istria. It’s the perfect way to experience more of the peninsula’s lovely scenery while also enjoying the products of the landscape and learning about a historic tradition.
Just minutes from Momjan, Kabola is one of the best wineries in Istria, and probably the most scenic as well. Dating back to 1891, the family-run winery offers four different wine tasting experiences in their stone farmhouse, surrounded by rolling hills.
Nearby Kozlović Winery is just as picturesque. Dating back to 1904, the bucolic family-run estate offers various tasting experiences – try their intense rosé, which is known for being incredibly dry and immensely fruity.
Twenty minutes drive from Novigrad, family-run Geržinić has a superb variety of wines to try, from their indigenous teran and malvasia to cabernet sauvignon, syrah and chardonnay – not to mention their own extra virgin olive oil.
The new kid on the block is the Roxanich Heritage Wine Hotel. Owned by the Roxanich family, well-known fine wine producers, the on-site winery and expansive wine cellar are open for tastings and tours most of the year.
Urban Wine Bars in Istria
Whilst sipping Istria wine in the area it was produced is certainly an immersive experience, you don’t have to hit the hills to enjoy the peninsula’s brilliant wine.
Pula’s Enoteca Istriana is conveniently located near the Temple of Augustas, making it an ideal pit stop for day-trippers taking in the city’s Roman ruins. It has a good selection of premium Istrian wines and a buzzy atmosphere, particularly in the evening.
Hidden down a side street in Poreč, busy Bacchus is a good spot for lone travellers after a tipple. In Rovinj, the cosy Piassa Granda wine bar boasts over 150 labels for visitors to choose from, almost all of which are Istrian.
Croatia isn’t a European destination that is particularly known for its cuisine. But Istria’s proximity to Italy means that the peninsula has a unique culinary offering that has a lot to offer, so it’s definitely worth adding some of these Istrian food and wine experiences to your trip.
If our roundup of the finest Istrian food and wineries has encouraged you to start planning a culinary exploration of Istria and have been looking for somewhere to stay, why not browse our collection of luxury villas in Istria or get in touch with our concierge service for more help booking your perfect holiday?
