Mali Lošinj is hosting the International Taste the Mediterranean Festival for the second time, and from September 9 to 13, visitors will have the opportunity to taste the best that Kvarner - European Region of Gastronomy 2026 has to offer lovers of Mediterranean flavors. The festival will bring together award-winning chefs and winemakers from numerous countries and other Croatian regions, who will present their culinary skills to visitors and share their experiences with the best local chefs and future chefs - students of the high school of hospitality.
Here's why Mali Lošinj is the most desirable destination for enjoying late summer.
At the 14th edition of the Festival, an exclusive dinner will be prepared together for the first time by 4 top local chefs, holders of the prestigious title of Chef of the Year awarded by the gastronomic guide Gault&Millau Croatia. Guests will be treated to a unique gastronomic experience Marijo Curic – Chef of the Year 2023 – from the 360 restaurant in Dubrovnik, Marko Djurasevic – Chef of the Year 2024 – from the Val di Breno restaurant in Srebreno, Rudi Stefan – Chef of the Year 2025 – from the Pelegrini restaurant in Šibenik and Stiven Vunic – Chef of the Year 2026 – from Konoba Zijavica in Mošćenička Draga. The venue for the closing dinner of the festival, on Saturday, September 12th, is also unique: the terrace of the impressive Hotel Bellevue, in the fairy-tale Čikat Bay of Lošinj, home to the most beautiful hotels and villas on the Croatian Adriatic, and comprising: Losinj Hotels & Villas, co-organizer of the festival. The Chefs of the Year have created a 9-course menu especially for the occasion, accompanied by a top-notch selection of President wines and cheeses. It will be a rare opportunity to taste the best dishes from renowned chefs from restaurants in Kvarner and Dalmatia, crowned with Gault&Millau points and Michelin stars and recommendations, all in one place.
Another exclusive four-course dinner will attract fans of haute cuisine on Friday, September 11th to the impressive surroundings of Lošinj Hotels & Villas. Top-notch Italian chef Peter Brunel, owner and chef of the Peter Brunel Ristorante Gourmet restaurant, in Arco, in the Trentino Alto Adige region, is a guest at chef Daniel Skokić, at the Alfred Keller restaurant, at the boutique Hotel Alhambra. “My cuisine combines technique and thought, it tells the story of my travels and experiences, and that is what I want to share with the friends of the Taste the Mediterranean Festival,“ he says. chef Peter Brunel on the eve of the visit to Lošinj's Čikat Bay. Both restaurants have one Michelin star and prepare creative, innovative and above all delicious dishes that will delight even the most demanding guests. Just like the top-quality wines Marina Cvetic Masciarelli, from the Masciarelli winery in the Italian region of Abruzzo, and the renowned winemaker will personally present them at the dinner in Mali Lošinj. Guests will also be offered a selection of the best Kvarner wines at the dinner.
Mediterranean in Kvarner is in the special offer of the leading Mali Lošinj restaurants participating in the Festival. These are the restaurants Bocca Vera, Deveron Gastro Pub, Dear Pizza, Moby Dick Ice cream shop, Nostromo and For Cantons. During the Festival, you can order a special Mediterranean menu. – 3-course lunch or dinner, with a glass of wine or a cocktail, at special festival prices.
”"The Taste the Mediterranean Festival is an exceptional opportunity for Mali Lošinj restaurants to jointly showcase the richness of the island's gastronomy, the quality of local ingredients and the creativity of our chefs. We will offer guests specially designed festival menus inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, prepared with fresh island fish and seafood, lamb, olive oil, aromatic herbs and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Visitors will be able to enjoy the combination of tradition and modern culinary techniques, with an emphasis on authenticity and quality. Our goal is for every guest from Mali Lošinj to take home a memory of the superb gastronomy, hospitality and unique taste of the Mediterranean, thereby further justifying the reputation of Kvarner as a European region of gastronomy" - he says Ivan Milanovic, owner of Deveron Gastro Pub and president of the Cres - Lošinj Craftsmen's Association.
Future young chefs, students at Ambroz Haračić High School, They will have a unique opportunity to watch top chefs at work and taste their dishes. Guest chefs will hold a masterclass and share their knowledge with them. Chefica Georgia Koutsoukou will introduce them to Greek regional gastronomy, a Norwegian chef Tommy Bjornsen, s Lofoten Islands, As an ambassador for Norwegian dried cod, the Italian chef will devote the most attention to this food Peter Brunel, will show them how to make potato spaghetti in carbonara sauce, Adam Reindl – The young chef of the top-notch Josić Winery Restaurant in Zmajevac in Osijek-Baranja County will reveal the potential of river fish to them, and the chefs will also hold a masterclass, Marko Đurašević and Stiven Vunić, and Marin Banovic from Zadar County. The festival will especially feature extra virgin olive oil Ricciotto and di-go bakery products by Lesaffre Baking Center and dried cod from the Norwegian Lofoten Islands, which carries a protected geographical indication TøLofoten PGI fish.
“"I am extremely looking forward to coming to Mali Lošinj and participating in this exciting festival. I am honored to have the opportunity to present dishes made from Norwegian dried cod to the guests at the opening of the festival, as well as to the young chefs at the catering school," he says. chef Tommy Bjornsen.
This year's festival, through its panel discussion program, will also bring interesting conversations on the topic of the role of chefs today, and gastronomy in the new era of agriculture and tourism. A winemaker will also speak to festival participants. Marina Cvetic, recently included in the Italian Noble Order of Knights of Labor for wine excellence.
“"The Taste the Mediterranean Festival confirms Mali Lošinj's position as a destination for top-notch gastronomy and authentic Mediterranean experiences. We are particularly pleased with its educational segment, through which young restaurateurs and future chefs have the opportunity to learn from the best international and domestic experts. At the same time, in the city, through the Losinava event, we celebrate the island's rich maritime and shipbuilding heritage, so the beginning of September in Mali Lošinj brings a unique blend of gastronomy, tradition and culture. We invite everyone to join us and experience Lošinj at its most beautiful," he says. Dalibor Cvitkovic, Director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board.
Guests of the opening ceremony 14th International Taste the Mediterranean Festival will gather in the city hall Fishermen u Thursday, September 10th. A beautiful building in the old town centre, built in 1895, is a great attraction for tourists, and for the people of Lošinj it is a social gathering place where they buy fresh fish every day. But that evening, the Fish Market will be transformed into a stylish stage for tasting dishes of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to the previously mentioned guest chefs, delicious Mediterranean snacks will also be prepared by the hosts, chefs from Thick – gastronomic associations of lovers of the Mali Lošinj tradition. They will also be joined by Japanese/French chef Ippei Uemura, a long-time friend of the TTM Festival, who will demonstrate the traditional Japanese art of tuna filleting. A selection of the best Kvarner wines will be offered by the regional wine association Kvarner Wines, Josić Winery will offer their premium wines from the Baranja region, and guests will also taste cured meat products from the local OPG Buretić Bregi.
Taste the Mediterranean Festival is held with support Kvarner Tourist Board, Tourist Board of Mali Lošinj and Losinj Hotels&Villas. The sponsors of this unique event that promotes Mediterranean food, culture and lifestyle are: HTZ and Greek Embassy in Zagreb. The Greek Mediterranean diet is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage along with Croatian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan and Cypriot.
As from September 5th to 19th, Mali Lošinj is also hosting traditional manifestation of Losinava – a festival of the sea, sails and maritime heritage – it's clear why in late summer all roads lead to the island of vitality. A combination of regattas, concerts, education, interactive workshops dedicated to the maritime tradition of the island, local gastronomy, luxurious rooms, apartments and excellent service at Lošinj Hotels&Villas, and delicacies from top chefs – are an irresistible invitation to come to the Taste the Mediterranean festival.
