The third edition of the MICHELIN Guide Croatia has been released, bringing forth a total of 63 restaurants—five of which are Michelin-starred.
“This selection shows the potential of the Croatian gastronomic scene, enriched by multiple influences; from Mediterranean tastes in Dalmatia, Italian influences in Istria and Slavic tastes from Zagreb to Slavonia, which together creates a unique culinary identity,” says Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN Guides.
Joining the ranks of starred restaurants this year is Noel, a “fashionable restaurant with soft lighting and trendy, internationally inspired furnishings, where guests can enjoy exciting, colorful cuisine prepared by the chef/owner” in Zagreb. To complement chef Goran Kočiš’s cooking, great emphasis is given to food and wine pairing due to the extensive wine list and the passion of the co-owner sommelier.
Draga di Lovrana, located in the old town of Lovran on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay, also receives a star this year. The kitchen is led by the talented young chef Deni Srdoč, who has a strong connection with the local terroir and gives a subtle Italian-French influence to his technique.
Monte in Rovinj, 360˚ in Dubrovnik and Pelegrini in Šibenik, all retain their one-star status.
In addition to the new starred establishments, four restaurants are distinguished with a Bib Gourmand in the 2019 selection, a distinction given by the Michelin inspectors to restaurants that offer a good quality menu for less than HRK 260 (€35) for three courses. These restaurants are Batelina in Banjole, Konoba Vinko in Šibenik, and Agava and Tač in Zagreb.
Overall, seven new restaurants have been added to the 2019 selection and six of these are in Zagreb: Pod Zidom, Tač, Tekka and Time, Noel and Agava, highlighting the capital as a dynamic city offering diners diverse choices of cuisine with influences from the Mediterranean to Asia, and all using fresh market produce.
Michelin’s team of inspectors observed that the 2019 Croatian selection shows a positive evolving trend as the standard of restaurant food in large cities and tourist areas continues to improve, with the coastal regions having a very strong emphasis on dishes using local fish and Mediterranean preparation techniques.
Congratulations to all restaurants. View the full selection here.
