The Kvarner gourmet scene is one of the trademarks of the region. This can be seen in the many top restaurants in Kvarner. It's important to mention that Kvarner restaurants in the mid-nineties were among the first to define the contemporary Croatian gourmet scene. This was recognised by renowned European food guides and publications that praised the local cuisine for its balanced relationship between tradition and modernity. These guides have included Kvarner restaurants in their recommendations ever since, awarding them internationally recognised quality labels.

As a region that connects the Mediterranean with the continent, Kvarner offers a truly diverse cuisine rich in aromas and flavours. Thanks to the geographical position of the coastal areas of Opatija, Rijeka, Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski, the Kvarner islands of Krk, Rab, Cres and Lošinj, and the mountainous region of Gorski Kotar, this is an area where various influences have intertwined for centuries. Three types of cuisine have had a dominant influence on Kvarner gastronomy: the cuisine of the neighbouring Italian provinces, that of Austria-Hungary (Austrian and Hungarian, and to a certain extent Czech) and the everyday, local dishes of the Kvarner fishermen, farmers and shepherds who prepared food in their boats, fields and pastures.

Looking for a recommendation because you don't know what to choose?

In Kvarner, you'll find Michelin stars and recommendations, Gault & Millau toques, Falstaff and other recommendations, as well as the regional quality labels 'Kvarner Gourmet' and 'Kvarner Food', which are a recognisable brand that will direct you to the offer, quality and creativity of the region's chefs. For a start, like any good host, we suggest that you taste the typical dishes and drinks in every Kvarner destination, following our gastronomic itinerary:

Opatija Riviera: scampi, delicious Lovran sweet chestnuts and cherries, wild asparagus, Brgud cabbage, aromatic herbs, Opatija Camellia cake, fritule fritters

Rijeka and its surroundings: potato polenta, Grobnik cheese, Bakar baškot sea biscuit, Bakarska Vodica sparkling wine

Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera: oily fish, crkveniške rupice fried fish, batuda – delicious thick vegetable soup, Bribir prisnac with eggs, bacon and cheese, Frankopan cake, Pauline cake, cherries, fig jams and brandies, wine from the Vinodol Valley

Island of Krk: Krk pršut dry-cured ham, sheep cheese, Krk olive oil, fish and delicious scampi dishes, traditional pasta – šurlice, young lamb in žgvacet goulash, Krk presnac, the local white wine – Vrbnička Žlahtina, Valomet sparkling wine – unique in the world thanks to its fermentation under the sea

Island of Cres: famous Cres lamb – prepared in a wood-fired oven, grilled, breaded or boiled; sheep cheese, Cres olive oil, honey

Island of Lošinj: seafood seasoned with aromatic wild herbs from the island, zaladija – fish gelatine, udič – dried sheep meat, kalandraka – potato goulash, liqueurs and marmalades from Lošinj citrus fruits, krokant dessert – a mixture of caramelised sugar and almonds

Island of Rab: olives, figs, Lopar potatoes with their specific sweet taste, octopus prepared under a peka baking lid, dried octopus with eggs, Barbat štufad – lamb with honey, chicken tingula goulash, Rab cake

Gorski Kotar: dry-cured game pršut, frog legs, škripavac cow cheese, goranski nadjev – a Gorski Kotar speciality (boiled pork stomach stuffed with eggs, ham, bacon, bread and onions), grilled trout, dishes based on wild game or forest fruits, mushrooms, pumpkin, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, plums, honey, forest berry liqueurs, brinjevac – a traditional juniper brandy

Therefore, whichever path you take in this special area, you can rest assured that you'll enjoy a special culinary experience. Given the saying that 'the way to someone's heart is through their stomach', you'll surely fall in love with Kvarner!

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More information is available at:

www.kvarner.hr

in the brochures Kvarner Gourmet & Food and Gastro Kvarner

(http://www.kvarner.hr/turizam/otkrijte_kvarner/o_kvarneru/Brosure)