In Portorož and Piran, the sea hums its quiet lullaby, olive groves sway to the wind’s rhythm, and the scent of truffles, olive oil, local wine, and sea salt lingers in the air. This is Istria at its most delicious — where every bite tells a story of the land, the sea, and the people who transform them into something extraordinary.
Whether you’re drawn to the artistry of fine dining, the soul of traditional kitchens, the creativity of modern gastronomy, or the simple pleasure of a seaside café, here is your guide to the tastes you won’t forget.
Modern: Istria with a Twist
Istrian Bistro & Tapas Bar
Steps from the sea, this bright and welcoming bistro captures Istria in miniature plates. Tapas here are more than nibbles — they are vibrant snapshots of land and sea, crafted with seasonal ingredients and just enough modern twist to surprise. From sea-hued risottos to creative vegetarian bites, it’s a place where you linger with friends, wine in hand, and let the evening stretch unhurried.
Marina Portorož
With a view so close to the water you can taste the salt in the air, Marina Portorož serves Mediterranean seafood with graceful simplicity. Paired with local wines from the Primorska region, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best luxury is letting the ingredients speak for themselves.
Pinija
Where the scent of pine mingles with the aroma of the sea, Pinija offers a Mediterranean feast framed by one of Strunjan’s most enchanting views — the glittering water and the silhouette of Piran. Here, fish and shellfish from the Slovenian sea share the menu with char-grilled steaks, homemade pasta with Istrian truffles, and desserts kissed with local fleur de sel.
Traditional: Flavours Woven in Time
Rostelin
On Piran’s Square of 1st May, the clink of glasses mingles with the sizzle from the charcoal grill. Fresh pasta is rolled before your eyes, sauces simmer to perfection, and every smile from the staff feels like a welcome home.
Gold Istra
For truffle lovers, Gold Istra is an ode to the earthy treasure. Every dish — from handmade pasta to tender meats — is imbued with the aroma of freshly foraged truffles, capturing the very essence of Istrian authenticity.
Cafés: Sweet Pauses by the Sea
Grand Café
High above the sea in Grand Hotel Bernardin, Grand Café is elegance with a view. On the terrace, the sunset paints the Piran Bay in gold while the piano hums softly in the background. From delicate desserts to gourmet sandwiches, and from a classic Negroni to a refreshing Limoncello Spritz, this is the kind of place where time feels like it pauses — just for you.
Café Central
Bright, inviting, and filled with the scent of freshly baked pastries, Café Central is Portorož’s sweet heart. Every day brings new temptations — seasonal cakes, pastel-hued macarons, creamy gelato — all made in-house. Whether it’s your morning coffee or a mid-afternoon treat, this café feels like a gentle indulgence you’ll want to return to.
Fine Dining: Where Art Meets the Plate
COB
Stara Gostilna – Vecchia Osteria
In Piran’s old heart, Stara Gostilna glimmers like a jewel box. Velvet shadows, golden light, and 150 rare distillates line the walls. Donata Krašek’s impeccable vision meets chef Kristian Zule’s cosmopolitan flair, crafting dishes that are as elegant as the setting. Here, dinner feels like a slow dance — every course another step closer to enchantment.
Rizibizi
In central Portorož, Rizibizi raises the local culinary stage with bold flavours, nuanced aromas, and an impressive wine list. Each plate celebrates Istria’s abundance, with the quiet confidence of a team devoted to delighting guests one course at a time.
Sophia
Named for Sophia Loren, this is a place where the Mediterranean dresses in couture. Tucked inside the elegant Kempinski Palace Hotel Portorož, it offers refined local ingredients alongside worldly inspirations, each sip and bite framed by one of the most impressive wine selections in town.
An Experience to Remember
Your Istrian journey doesn’t end with a meal — it unfolds in experiences that bring you even closer to the region’s soul.
Wander the cobbled streets on the Piran Food & Wine Tour, where every stop is a story in a glass or on a plate. Feel the wind in your hair on a Culinary Istrian Adventure with a Vespa Scooter, stopping for bites and sips along the way.
Learn the secrets of the sea at a Mediterranean Fish Cooking Workshop. Wake up to a Taste Local Istrian Breakfast or follow the scent of earth to a Truffle Hunting & Degustation.
And for the perfect finale, sip golden drops on a Gourmet Olive Tour Overlooking the Salt Pans, where the horizon melts into the shimmering water.
Here, in Istria, each taste is a memory waiting to be made — and perhaps, a reason to return.
