The recent Michelin guide has included a restaurant in Croatia for the very first time: Monte Restaurant in the old town of Rovinj.

Located on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula and famous for its beautiful waterfront, pine fringed, stunning coves and pastel coloured houses, Rovinj is a favourite with visitors.

Michelin gave 33 restaurants in Croatia a special recommendation in the 2017 listings with 12 of these being in Istria, in addition to the acclaimed winner, Monte.

The 12 restaurants were in Novigrad, Brtonigla, Banjole, Porec, Livade, Bale, Zambratija and Rovinj.

Due to the fantastic location, Istria has been a top destination for gourmets for many years with visitors from neighbouring countries including Italy and Austria making the short drive to spend a weekend tasting the region’s fabulous food, wines and oils.

Truffles, hand crafted cheese, famous air dried prsut (ham), the freshest of Adriatic fish and seafood and some of the best pasta and risotto in Europe are what has attracted them in addition to the superb wines and olive oils.

Istria has many gourmet experiences for visitors include self-guided olive oil and wine roads where many of the region’s best producers can be experienced in easy drives.