Istria is Croatia’s top go-to gastro destination and autumn sees the region in its prime. As well as the year’s new wine, truffles, mushrooms and game all come into the picture as the seasonal delights of this heavily forested area are brought to the fore.
In tandem, Istria stages a range of culinary events festivals to showcase its quality produce – here are seven to look out for:
Tastes of Funtana
For ten days, the coastal town of Funtana, located between Poreč and Vrsar, presents the best of its local culinary selection at restaurants Bokoon, Delfin, Histria, More, Oscar, Rimini, Tonia and Zeleni park. Each offers three courses – one fish, one meat – for 140 kunas over the course of the ten-day event. Everything starts on September 23 and runs until October 2. For more details, see here
Pasta Week in Žminj
If you’re in Žminj in the heart of Istria this September, you’ll be able to tuck into delicious, traditional pasta dishes around town for the attractive set price of 90 kunas all week between September 24 and October 2. For more details, see here
Delicacies from Vrsar
Six restaurants around Vrsar are taking part in a ten-day long gastronomic showcase of the delicacies this town on Istria’s west coast has to offer. Between September 30-October 9, each eatery will have a special menu devised to present a different aspect of Vrsar’s culinary prowess. For more details, see here
Wine & Walk in Motovun
As a special one-day event in Motovun, a guided walk will lead visitors around this picture-postcard hilltop town, sampling the local Teran wine for which it is justifiably famous. The event takes place on Saturday, October 1, by which time the autumn colours of the surrounding countryside below should be spectacular. For more details, see here
On the Paths of Rovinj Delicacies
Istria’s jewel of a town on the west coast, Rovinj will also take part in the region’s gastronomic extravaganza this autumn when its restaurants focus on local produce paired with quality wines to provide a classic seasonal meal for 140 kunas. The offer runs from October 1-8. For more details, see here
Zigante Truffle Days
Truffles are a particular Istrian delicacy, found in the Motovun forest where the famous Livade restaurant Zigante is also located. During every weekend in October, this landmark dining destination holds its annual Truffle Days fair, on Saturdays from 10am-8pm and Sundays 10am-7pm. The event usually attracts some 50,000 visitors, including famous chefs, travel writers and other distinguished guests, from Italy, Slovenia and further afield. Other local produce, wine, cheese and prosciutto, will also be on offer. Admission is free. For more details, see here
Tinjan International Prosciutto Fair
Known by its acronym of ISAP, the prestigious International Prosciutto Fair is held every autumn in Tinjan, central Istria. A signature speciality of Istria just the same as wine and truffles, this delicious thin-sliced ham has been produced here for generations. For this three-day event, October 14-16, other cultural and sports events will be laid on to accompany the tastings and presentations. For more details, see here
This article is sponsored by the Istrian Tourism Board.
