From April 11th to 13th, Rovinj will once again become a must-visit destination for all food lovers, drink enthusiasts, and those seeking premium gastronomic experiences. If you love good food, enjoy the stories behind each dish, and want to discover what the blend of tradition and innovation means, you cannot miss this festival!
1. Inspiring lectures, panels, and top chefs
The Weekend Food Festival gathers experts who shape the future of gastronomy—those who create and inspire. This year, Rovinj will host some of the most influential chefs and visionaries of the culinary scene. Among them is the legendary Marco Pierre White, a culinary revolutionary who has redefined haute cuisine, followed by Matt Orlando, a pioneer of sustainable gastronomy, and J.P. McMahon, founder of the Food on the Edge festival and an advocate for preserving culinary heritage. Their stories and experiences not only inspire but also lay the foundation for future generations of chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary enthusiasts.
2. Masterclasses and show-cooking workshops
This year, the festival will feature top chefs and master mixologists who will share their knowledge with the audience through interactive workshops. Luca Cinalli, a world-renowned bartender, will hold a masterclass dedicated to innovative mixology techniques and sustainability in the bar industry. Mirco Giumelli from the Grace St. Moritz hotel, in collaboration with Nonino distillery, will reveal the secrets of perfectly integrating grappa, amaro, and liqueurs into modern cocktails. Ted Lelakas will bring new knowledge about cognac, champagne, and premium spirits. All these workshops offer an opportunity to explore the latest trends and experience the top flavors that define contemporary gastronomy. On the show-cooking stage, the audience will be able to watch professionals at work and taste some of the specialties.
3. Chef’s Dinners – Breathtaking Dinners
This year, dinners at Rovinj’s restaurants sold out as soon as they were announced, but you still have a chance to secure your spot at an extraordinary culinary event—an exclusive dinner at Tekka by Lone restaurant. Slovenian chef Igor Jagodic, the force behind the acclaimed Strelec restaurant, and chef Saša Pribičević, who heads Rovinj’s Tekka, will cook together. This dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 12th!
The dinner at Cap Aureo Signature Restaurant, where chef Jeffrey Vella prepares a menu in collaboration with J.P. McMahon, sold out as soon as it was announced, just like the one at Agli Amici Rovinj, where Matteo Metullio from the famous Harry’s Piccolo with two Michelin stars is a guest chef. All seats are also sold out for the dinner at the Rovinj restaurant Monte, where Giulio Gigli will be guest cooking. Gigli, a talented chef who honed his culinary skills at prestigious establishments like Noma, Disfrutar, and the legendary El Bulli under Ferran Adrià’s guidance, now owns the restaurant UNE. At UNE, Gigli creates dishes that skillfully blend innovation with the rich tradition of Umbria.
Alongside exquisite dishes, the restaurants will serve carefully selected wines from local winemakers—Damjanić in Monte, Kozlović in Tekka by Lone, Clai in Cap Aureo, and Dobravac in Agli Amici.
4. RANGITE! – Istrian Food Market
When talking about the flavors of Istria, RANGITE! – Istrian Food Market, created with the support of Maistra, is the place where you will experience them in their full glory. The best Istrian producers gather in one place, bringing top-quality wines, indigenous delicacies, and traditional recipes adapted to a modern gourmet experience. Wineries such as Lunika, Damjanić, Kadum, and Dobravac will showcase their labels, while Pršutana Dujmović will offer prosciutto prepared in a way that has been passed down through generations. Latus Dairy brings the best cheeses, and Klara and Drago Marić demonstrate what true Istrian pasta looks like. Add to this truffles from Prodan Tartufi, liqueurs from Darna, gin from Imagine Spirits, and the cultural heritage represented by The association House of Batana – Spacio Matika, and you have a true festival of flavors and tradition! The best part? Entrance to RANGITE! – Istrian Food Market is free for all visitors.
5. Presentation of CUPI’S SPOON – the third international gastronomy competition for people with disabilities
This is not just a festival of good food, but also a festival of good values. The UNUO Association will present their project “CUPI’S SPOON” – the third international gastronomy competition for people with disabilities. They will arrive at the festival with a gastro truck where they will prepare tasting Zlevanka pancakes with various toppings, using visual methods on a smart board and an adapted cooking unit. Additionally, they will conduct interactive educational workshops on proper communication and working with people with disabilities, involving chefs, exhibitors, and visitors. The goal of the project is awareness and inclusion, and citizens, local authorities, and children from kindergartens are invited to participate in the workshops and mini competitions.
6. Experience Packages – Experience Istria in an Authentic Way
The Weekend Food Festival, in collaboration with its festival partner, Maistra, offers Experience packages—customized gourmet experiences that lead you through the authentic flavors and traditions of Istria. Whether you’re exploring the richness of Istrian cuisine through a traditional snack from a bukaleta, participating in a truffle hunt in Buzet, tasting fresh oysters from the Lim Bay, or discovering the secrets of cheese-making at Latus Dairy, each moment brings a new experience. Each package offers an opportunity for a deeper connection with Istrian culinary heritage, from traditional snacks from a bukaleta to exclusive tastings of truffles, seafood, and cheeses. More details and bookings are available on the festival’s official website!
7. A Festival for Everyone – From Professionals to Food Enthusiasts
The Weekend Food Festival isn’t reserved just for professionals—it offers something for everyone. If you’re a chef, restaurateur, or producer, this is a unique opportunity to connect with top experts, gain new knowledge through masterclasses and workshops, and discover innovations that can elevate your business. If you’re a passionate food lover, you’ll experience the inspiring stories behind every dish, watch culinary masterpieces come to life, and taste specialties prepared by some of the world’s best chefs. And if you simply enjoy good food and drink, the Weekend Food Festival will be your go-to destination for exploring the rich flavors of Istria—from traditional fuži pasta and prosciutto to wines, truffles, and premium spirits.
8. A Professional Program for Industry Experts and Hospitality Professionals
This year, the Weekend Food Festival is raising the bar with a dedicated program for professionals—chefs, restaurant managers and owners, and anyone looking to enhance their knowledge, broaden their horizons, and learn directly from the best in the industry. In the luxurious setting of the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, a series of exclusive masterclasses and lectures will take place—an opportunity rarely offered. We’re bringing together a top-tier lineup: culinary visionary Jeffrey Vella, the precise and passionate Matija Bogdan, and rising star Giulio Giglio will share their knowledge, techniques, and innovative approaches that push the boundaries of gastronomy. This is a one-of-a-kind chance to learn from the very best!
Beyond the kitchen, we’re diving into the world of mixology with special workshops for those looking to elevate their bar experience to the next level. Tickets for this exclusive program will go on sale at the end of the week—spots are extremely limited, so be sure to follow us on social media and secure yours on time!
9. Top Winemakers – Istra Natural
Wine is an essential part of Istrian identity, and this year, the Weekend Food Festival will host the very best. For the first time in Rovinj, Istra Natural will take place—a festival celebrating natural and orange wines from Istria, Croatia, and Slovenia. Special focus will be placed on skin-contact white wines, known as orange wines, produced using extended maceration—a technique dating back to ancient times, still practiced today in regions like Georgia. Wineries such as Ipša, Trapan, Bolfan, Lunika, Veralda, Dobravac, Pasji Rep, and Posestvo Bric from Slovenia, along with Gambaletto/Činić from Istria, will present their natural labels.
10. Noel Pop up restoran
A renowned Michelin-starred restaurant from Zagreb is bringing its pop-up edition to Rovinj! Celebrated chef Ivan Temšić is coming to the Weekend Food Festival, offering all visitors a unique opportunity to taste his exquisite specialties at the exclusive Noel Pop Up Restaurant. Located within the festival grounds, the restaurant will be open every day, serving special lunches, dinners, and a rich accompanying program. Throughout the entire festival, guests can stop by Noel Pop Up and enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience led by this talented and charismatic chef.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience gastronomy in a completely new way, this is an opportunity you simply can’t miss. World-class chefs, innovative concepts, outstanding food and drinks – the Weekend Food Festival brings all that and so much more. For more information about this year’s Weekend Food Festival, visit the official festival website and on social media, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.