Michelin Guide Croatia 2026: Croatia now has 14 Michelin-starred restaurants

Michelin guide has presented the new edition of the Croatia Guide for 2026, which once again confirms the growth and increasing maturity of the Croatian gastronomic scene. This year's selection includes a total of 112 recommended restaurants, including one restaurant with two Michelin stars, 13 restaurants with one star, 14 restaurants with the Bib Gourmand label and 84 selected restaurants.

The most important news of this year's edition is a new Michelin star for the Harry's Piccolo Poreč restaurant, while Agli Amici Rovinj confirmed its status as the only restaurant in Croatia with two Michelin stars for the third year in a row.

This year's edition of the Michelin Guide for Croatia also brings a clear signal of the growth of the domestic gastronomic scene: the number of restaurants with Michelin stars has increased from last year's 13 to 14, while the total number of restaurants in the Michelin selection has increased from 99 to 112.

According to the Michelin inspectors, Agli Amici Rovinj has maintained an exceptionally high level of excellence, with the work of chef Emanuele Scarello and resident chef Simone de Lucca being particularly noteworthy. Michelin emphasizes that the gastronomic project in Rovinj is based on a high level of performance, a strong author's handwriting and a location that additionally shapes the overall guest experience.

The new star for Harry's Piccolo Poreč is important for both Istria and Croatian tourism as a whole. The restaurant is run by chef Goran Hrastovčak, and Michelin describes the cuisine as a fusion of sea and land, Italy and Istria, tradition and contemporary gastronomic expression. The focus is on tasting menus and à la carte offerings, with dishes that stand out for their colors, aromas and harmony of flavors.

Along with the new star, the Michelin Guide Croatia 2026 also brings three new Bib Gourmand awards. The selection includes Bistro Loora from Đakovo, Lulu Fusion Bistro from Osijek and Nuré from Zagreb. It is particularly interesting that two new Bib Gourmand awards went to Slavonia, which is an important signal for a region that is increasingly seeking its place on the Croatian gastronomic map.

Bistro Loora in Đakovo is described by Michelin as a small and cozy bistro in the city center, with creatively interpreted local cuisine and a modern approach. Lulu Fusion Bistro in Osijek is highlighted as a small, contemporary bistro with creative cuisine that draws on Asian flavors, but uses local ingredients. Nuré in Zagreb is described by Michelin as a surprise in the very center of the city, a small bistro with just a few tables and a strong authorial signature of a Korean family with international fine dining experience.

This year, 16 new restaurants were included in the main Michelin selection: 7 Seas by Matija Bogdan in Njivice, Cantilly Garden in Samobor, Dida in Crikvenica, Foša in Zadar, Jaz by Ana Roš Poreč, Ješka Fine Bistro in Makarska, Kiyomi in Zagreb, Konoba Campanelo in Mirlović Zagora, LABRAX in Zadar, Maguro in Zadar, Nico's Bar & Bistro in Zagreb, Plavi Podrum in Opatija, SOL in Zagreb, Stancija Kovačići in Opatija, The Lubenice Restaurant on Cres and The Restaurant – Hotel Supetar in Cavtat.

Michelin also awarded four special awards.

The award for young chef went to Marin Pleše from the Vila Rova restaurant in Malinska, the award for sommelier of the year went to Branimir Vukšić from Pelegrini in Šibenik, the award for new opening of the year went to Nuré from Zagreb, while the award for service went to the Monte restaurant in Rovinj.

For Croatian tourism, this publication has a wider meaning than the gastronomic list itself. Michelin awards are not only awards for restaurants, but also a signal of the destination's maturity. They confirm how well local ingredients, original cuisine, wine, service, hotels and destination storytelling can be combined into a product of greater added value.

It is particularly important that the Michelin map of Croatia is increasingly expanding beyond a few of the most famous gastronomic centers. Istria and Kvarner remain exceptionally strong, Zagreb confirms its urban gastronomic dynamism, Dalmatia maintains an important position, while the entry of Đakovo and Osijek into the Bib Gourmand selection opens up an important space for Slavonia.

At a time when Croatian tourism is increasingly asking how to move from volume growth to value growth, gastronomy is one of the most concrete answers. Michelin does not solve destination development in itself, but it clearly shows where there is quality, ambition and potential to build tourism around an authentic product, not just around accommodation.

Croatian gastronomy is thus increasingly ceasing to be an addition to the tourist offer and becoming one of the reasons for coming.