After announcing that on August 29 and 30, Kantrida Marina (Lucica) will become a new stage for Kvarner’s gastronomic scene, the Porto Gastro Festival – Food Experience is revealing details of the program, offering visitors a combination of exceptional gastronomy and an authentic setting.
The festival is being held as part of the Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy project and is included in the UN Taste the Place – Kvarner 2026 programme. As many as nine renowned chefs will take part, alongside offerings from eleven Kvarner wineries, two craft breweries and two distilleries. At five dedicated stations, visitors will also have the opportunity to discover the flavours and culinary heritage of Rijeka and the Rijeka Ring.
A unique opportunity to taste creations by renowned chefs
The festival will bring together chefs whose work is shaping Croatia’s contemporary gastronomic scene.
The festival will be led by Stiven Vunić, chef and owner of Zijavica restaurant in Mošćenička Draga, who was named Chef of the Year 2026 by Gault&Millau Croatia, while Zijavica holds a Michelin recommendation. His culinary creations will be joined by those of Marin Pleše, chef of Villa Rova, which also holds a Michelin recommendation. In 2024, Gault&Millau named Pleše Young Talent of the Year, and in 2026 he won the prestigious MICHELIN Young Chef Award, further confirming him as one of the greatest talents in Croatian gastronomy. Gabriela Filca, chef of Rijeka’s Michelin-starred Nebo and the first Croatian recipient of the MICHELIN Young Chef Award, will bring her own distinctive perspective on contemporary gastronomy.
The festival will also welcome Katarina Vrenc, who was named Young Talent of the Year by Gault&Millau in 2023 and received the Young Chef of the Year award in 2024. Damnjan Draganić, chef of Crikvenica’s Dida restaurant, which holds a Michelin recommendation, will also be part of the festival. This is one of the most important international distinctions a restaurant can receive. The festival will also feature Željko Markus, chef and owner of Kastav’s Oštarija Fortica, which combines tradition with a contemporary approach to gastronomy and has been recognised by the Gault&Millau and Falstaff guides.
The festival will also host Darjan Urduha, a chef with extensive international experience gained alongside renowned names in the culinary world, who has made a particular mark as the chef of J.I.S.T. restaurant in Viškovo. One of Rijeka’s most recognisable gastronomic destinations, Konoba Ribica from Kantrida, will present an authentic approach to gastronomy rooted in local tradition. Completing the line-up is chef Robert Benzia, owner of Ganeum Food & Wine Bar in Lovran and recipient of the prestigious Gault&Millau Great Chef of Tomorrow 2020 trophy.
An important part of the festival experience will also be Kvarner Wines, an association bringing together Kvarner winemakers and jointly promoting the region as a recognised wine and gastronomy destination. At the festival, it will showcase wines from eleven Kvarner wineries, creating a natural connection between local wine, gastronomy and the Kvarner region.
The craft beer scene will be represented by King’s Brew and Brk Lee Brewery. King’s Brew brings a wealth of craft brewing experience rooted in Rijeka’s beer scene and today offers a variety of styles, from pilsners and session IPAs to stouts. Brk Lee Brewery contributes to the development of Rijeka’s craft culture through its signature beers, experimentation and strong local identity. The authentic character of the Kvarner region will also be showcased by the renowned Suza Distillery, through a carefully selected range of liqueurs and spirits. The festival will also feature Cannella, a popular authentic Kvarner liqueur made according to a traditional recipe.
The festival programme will be rounded off with a special section dedicated to the gastronomic heritage of Rijeka and Surroundings. Highlights will include our mendulača, a traditional dessert from Šmrika; baškot, the traditional bread once made for Bakar’s seafarers; the iconic palenta kompirica from Grobnik, prepared by the Palentar Association; Cremium gelato, featuring intriguing flavour combinations such as Grobnik cheese; the legendary “Bakarska vodica”, and Kostrena Cake, an authentic edible souvenir of Kostrena.
“The Porto Gastro Festival is the perfect confirmation of how important gastronomy is to the identity and tourism offering of Kvarner. Through the Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy project, we are proud to highlight the richness of local ingredients, as well as the knowledge and creativity of the people who are shaping Kvarner’s gastronomic story. This festival offers exactly what we want to provide our guests – an authentic Kvarner experience, exceptional gastronomy and an atmosphere that brings together the sea, local flavours and contemporary cuisine. I believe that the Porto Gastro Festival will attract many gastronomy enthusiasts while further positioning Kvarner as a destination that rightly stands out on the region’s gastronomic map,” said Marijana Kalčić, Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board.
