Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem receive their first special edition of the Gault&Millau Croatia guide

Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem are receiving their first special edition of the Gault&Millau Croatia guide, which brings together 109 selected restaurants, wineries, food and distillate producers in one place, clearly placing eastern Croatia on the eno-gastronomic map. 

Gault&Millau Croatia announces the presentation of the first special edition of the guide for Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem, dedicated to one of the most recognizable and hearty eno-gastronomic regions of Croatia.

The 236-page guide recommends 40 restaurants, 43 wineries and 26 producers of food and spirits, a total of 109 selected addresses that stand out for the quality of their offer and service. The publication was realized in cooperation with the tourist boards of Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, Virovitica-Podravina and Vukovar-Srijem counties.

The gastronomic strength of this destination is based on authenticity, from the choice of ingredients to the way the guest is welcomed at the table, and this is precisely the starting point for the selection in this guide, which becomes a clear landmark for planning continental trips and discovering the key eno-gastronomic locations of eastern Croatia. Unlike most other regions, the focus is not only on restaurants, but also on a strong base of local producers and winemakers, who together carry the identity of the region and participate equally in shaping its gastronomy.

Authenticity rooted in tradition and the warmth of people

"Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem - a region of top-quality authentic food and great wines, further enchanted us with the beauty of nature, rich tradition, the warmth of the people and their sincere and heartfelt welcome", expires Ingrid Badurina Danielsson, director of Gault&Millau Croatia.

He adds that this is the largest Croatian wine region in terms of wine production and vineyard area, where, in addition to large, modernized cellars, there are a number of family wineries whose wines win international awards.

Wine tastings are often associated with local specialties such as kulen, bacon or fish stew, so the guest experiences both the terroir and the cuisine of the region in one place. In addition to wineries and distilleries, there is a strong presence of a number of family farms that produce cured meat delicacies, cheeses, honey, oils, flour, jams, spreads and craft beers, further enriching the gastronomic picture of the region.

Nowhere else does traditional cuisine have such a pronounced continuity as in Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem, but at the same time it is open to contemporary interpretations: there are more and more modern and ambitious young chefs who transform the richness of authentic ingredients into completely new experiences for the guest.

From the fertile land to the table with an unreserved, sincere welcome

“Slavonia has always been a region where fertile land is not only seen as a resource, but as the foundation of identity. It is precisely from this connection between man and land that gastronomy emerges, which today is, without exaggeration, one of the most diverse in Croatia. It intertwines tradition and modern approaches, heritage and innovation, simplicity and sophistication - everything that makes for an authentic gastronomic experience.”, expires Mislav Matisic, coordinator of the Slavonia cluster and director of the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board.

Matišić further emphasizes that the richness of the region is also reflected in the people who, with their work, transform the fruits of the land into an experience for the guest. Homemade, often locally grown ingredients give dishes a character that is difficult to replicate elsewhere, and this immediacy, from field to table, is becoming an important quality criterion that guests are increasingly recognizing. 

“This guide is not just a restaurant review, it is a confirmation of the process in which this region raises the bar year after year, building a gastronomic scene that relies on its roots but looks boldly towards the future. This is a region that offers not just a meal, but an experience - honest, rich and deeply rooted in the place it comes from", Matišić concludes.

Photo: Dražen Stojčić, Kristijan Toplak and Mario Đurkić, PR G&M Croatia