Eastern Croatia is increasingly building its eno-gastro identity: Gault&Millau 2026 edition presented.

The first special edition of the guide was presented at the Hotel Osijek Gault&Millau Croatia - Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem 2026, which gave the eno-gastro scene of eastern Croatia additional international visibility and a formal place within the system of one of the world's most famous gastronomic guides.

The special edition includes a total of 109 recommended addresses, including 40 restaurants, 43 wineries and 26 food and distillate producers. The project was realized in cooperation with the tourist boards of Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, Virovitica-Podravina and Vukovar-Srijem counties.

Focus on authenticity and local production

The presentation of the guide brought together more than a hundred restaurateurs, winemakers, food and distillate producers, as well as representatives of the tourism sector, who increasingly associate continental tourism with gastronomy and local identity. 

"The presentation of the first special edition of the Gault&Millau guide for Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem is a great recognition for the entire eno-gastro scene of eastern Croatia and confirmation of the quality that our restaurants, winemakers and producers have been creating for years.", she said, among other things Tatjana Turalija, the envoy of the prefect of Osijek-Baranja County, and added that authenticity, tradition and wine culture are becoming one of the key motives for guests coming to eastern Croatia.

According to the data she presented, Osijek-Baranja County achieved more than 330 thousand overnight stays and almost 159 thousand arrivals last year, with positive trends continuing this year.

Gastronomy as a tourist and economic potential

Mislav Matisic, director of the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board and coordinator of the Slavonia cluster, emphasized that the guide confirms that the region's gastronomy has a much broader significance than the catering offer itself.

"Our gastronomy is not only a rich tradition, but also a serious tourist, economic and cultural potential. It is particularly important that the guide not only presents restaurants, but also winemakers, family farms and food and distillate producers", said Matišić, adding that the gastronomy of Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem begins "in the fields, in the vineyards and in small family production", which gives the region an authenticity that modern guests are increasingly seeking.

Young people as an important part of continental tourism development

One of the details that marked the presentation of the guide was the presence of a large number of young people involved in the eno-gastro sector. Among those gathered were young chefs, winemakers, agronomists, beekeepers, cheesemakers and producers who develop their own products and tourism stories.

It is precisely this generational continuity and the development of local production that are increasingly highlighted as an important element in the development of sustainable continental tourism.

Top-rated restaurants and wineries

At the event, Gault&Millau labels were also awarded to the best addresses included in the guide. The highest scores were won by Restaurant and winery Josić from Zmajevac with four Gault&Millau points, while Black Pig from Čepin and Meandar Hotel Osijek awarded with three points.

The awards were presented by Ingrid Badurina Danielsson - director of Gault Millau Croatia, Mislav Matišić - director of the OBŽ Tourist Board, Ivana Odvorčić - representative of the Požega - Slavonia County Tourist Board and Ana Krpan - director of the Vukovar - Srijem County Tourist Board.

Continental Croatia increasingly visible on the eno-gastro map

The new special edition of the guide comes at a time when continental tourism in Croatia is increasingly building its recognition through local gastronomy, wine culture and authentic products. In addition to restaurants and wineries, the guide further emphasizes the importance of family farms, small producers and local value chains, a trend that is increasingly shaping the tourism offer of continental destinations.

For the tourism sector of eastern Croatia, this edition represents an additional promotional tool, but also confirmation that eno-gastronomic content is becoming one of the key motives for guests to come throughout the year.