The national cuisine of Croatia is very similar to Mediterranean cuisine, but with added gastronomic touches of Italy. Croatians prefer light and healthy food, and the hallmark of Rovinj's best restaurants is the delicacy of fish, often accompanied by delicious local wine.
For first courses, you can enjoy soups based on beef or chicken broth with vermicelli, dumplings, or rice. Some of the most famous Croatian soups include maneshtra (a liquid stew with corn vermicelli and beans) and chorba (based on fresh fermented milk products).
When it comes to meat dishes, one of the stars of Rovinj's restaurants is prsut, thinly sliced pork ham. It's first smoked over charcoal and then cured in the sun, often served with local sheep's cheese, olives, and pickled onions. Other delightful meat options include paschitzade (beef stewed in wine), viskovacce begavice (lamb with sour sheep's milk), and rigotto (truffle dish), typically accompanied by side dishes like potatoes, homemade pasta, or vegetables.
Prices for fish dishes in Rovinj restaurants can vary dramatically because seafood is categorized. The most expensive dishes include chert fish (skarpena) and sea crucian carp (zuban). In the luxury class, you'll find sea bass, flounder, dorada, and sole. Mackerel and horse mackerel fall into the middle price category, while seafood like scallops, mussels, and prawns tend to be more budget-friendly.
