Taste the gastronomy of Opatija

 

The spirit of times gone by is coming back into fashion in gastronomy. Long ago, people were fishermen, cattle breeders, wine makers and olive growers, and their daily nutrition depended on the harvest of grapes, olives and the riches of the sea.

Fish
The Adriatic Sea is known far and wide for its delicious fish, from the noble white fish to the very healthy blue fish,  and it is usually  prepared in the simplest way, to ensure that the aroma and flavour of the sea dominate.

In one of our restaurants on the Opatija riviera, try the gilthead, sea bass, john dory, dentex, hake, surmullet, grouper, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, sardines, mackerel and tuna and the unforgettably sumptuous prawns, shrimp and various shellfish.

Olive oil
Olive oil is the basis of Mediterranean cuisine, and our ancestors believed the oil to be sacred. Maritime herbs such as bay leaf and rosemary enrich numerous dishes.

Lamb
In the spring months, try the lamb from the Kvarner islands and nearby Brseč, meat of exceptionally high quality and flavour as the lambs feed only on healthy aromatic herbs and lick salt off the rocks.

Asparagus
A specialty of the cuisine here is the seasonal character given by the fruits of the region, such as asparagus, chestnuts and cherries. Lovran is well known for its gastronomy manifestations such as the "Asparagus Festival" in April, "Cherry Days" in June and the "Chestnut Festival" in October and during these festivals all caterers from around the Riviera come together to create a wide palette of creative and delicious dishes from this seasonal produce.