As part of the opening of the Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy 2026 programme on the island of Rab, under the theme “Return to Heritage”, Rijeka surroundings presented the richness of traditional flavours and indigenous products of our region, once again confirming the importance of preserving the gastronomic and cultural heritage of Kvarner.
Particular attention from visitors was drawn to the preparation of warm palenta kompirica, traditionally prepared live by the Udruga Palentar. This traditional specialty paired perfectly with squid stew prepared by Restaurant Anić from Kostrena, while the live cooking of palenta became one of the highlights of the evening.
Alongside the aromas of homemade cuisine, visitors had the opportunity to taste numerous indigenous delicacies from the Rijeka area, such as Grobnik cheese, Bakar baškot, Kastav belica, and Halubje liqueur drops, while Kraljevca area presented its traditional mendulača from Šmrika and dried figs. The diverse selection of traditional products further highlighted the richness of local gastronomy and delighted many guests and visitors of the event.
This event once again confirmed the importance of nurturing and passing on gastronomic heritage to future generations. The participation of Rijeka surroundings destinations in this event demonstrated the strong connection between tradition, tourism, and local producers, as well as the importance of jointly presenting Kvarner as a region rich in authentic experiences and flavours.
The tourist boards of the Rijeka surroundings also took part in the mini opening events of the European Region of Gastronomy 2026 programme on the islands of Cres and Lošinj, further promoting the rich gastronomic and cultural heritage of our region.