Taste the Mediterranean 2026: A World-Class Gastronomic Spectacle in Mali Lošinj

Meta Description: Visit the 14th Taste the Mediterranean Festival in Mali Lošinj from September 9 to 13! Enjoy exclusive gala dinners, special menus across 8 local restaurants, and masterclasses by award-winning chefs.

Mali Lošinj becomes the epicenter of Mediterranean gastronomy this autumn! From September 9 to 13, 2026, the 14th International Taste the Mediterranean Festival brings award-winning international and local chefs, top winemakers, and culinary enthusiasts to the island.

The entire town will breathe to the rhythm of the Mediterranean, offering visitors creative festival menus, exclusive gala dinners featuring Michelin and Gault&Millau chefs, hands-on workshops, and expert panels on sustainable gastronomy.

Mediterranean on Kvarner: Special Menus at 8 Lošinj Eateries

As part of the Mediterranean on Kvarner program, eight popular Lošinj restaurants, taverns, pizzerias, and gelaterias have created special festival menus priced between €20 and €60:

• Diana Steakhouse (Čikat Bay): Red and white shrimp carpaccio, beef tagliata on arugula, and pear poached in red wine, served with a glass of Malvazija.

• Konoba Cigale: Adriatic amberjack tartare with fig, olive oil, and orange; grilled marinated dogfish; and curd cheese with basil mousse.

• BoccaVera Restaurant: Pescatore fish steak prepared using the mantecato technique, sweet potato cream, Dalmatian-style Swiss chard, and an orange, almond, and chocolate dessert.

• Deveron Gastro Pub: White fish carpaccio, dehydrated Lošinj citrus risotto topped with Kvarner scampi tartare, and panna cotta with Lošinj orange jam.

• Za Kantuni: Lošinj fish maneštra (stew), bluefin tuna steak with fennel orzotto, and curd cheese cream with local citrus and olive oil.

• Noštromo: Tuna carpaccio, sea bass fillet in a crust with seasoned potatoes, and white chocolate mousse on olive oil soil.

• Draga Pizza: Pizza Mediterana (anchovies, mozzarella di bufala, taggiasca olives, lemon zest, basil), served with tiramisu and a Limoncello Spritz.

• Moby Dick Gelateria: “Welcome to Kvarner” sundae featuring curd cheese with caramelized fig and candied orange, Fior di Latte with Lošinj krokant, and lemon-pistachio cream, paired with Momjan Muškat.

Exclusive Gala Dinners and Festival Highlights

Beyond the town's local eateries, the festival showcases the pinnacles of fine dining:

• September 10 (Grand Opening): Held at the local Lošinj Fish Market, featuring guest chefs, Kvarner Wines, Josić Winery, and Japanese-French chef Ippei Uemura presenting the traditional art of tuna filleting.

• Friday, September 11: Four-hands gala dinner at Alfred Keller (Boutique Hotel Alhambra) with guest Italian chef Peter Brunel joining host chef Daniel Skokić, paired with Marina Cvetić Masciarelli wines and select Kvarner vintages.

• Saturday, September 12: On the terrace of Hotel Bellevue, four Gault&Millau Chefs of the Year—Marijo Curić, Marko Đurašević, Rudi Štefan, and Stiven Vunić—will cook together for the first time, delivering an exclusive 9-course tasting menu.

The festival also features educational masterclasses for Ambroz Haračić High School students led by international and local talent (Georgia Koutsoukou, Tommi Bjørnsen, Adam Rajndl, Marin Banović, and more), along with panel discussions exploring agriculture and tourism in the modern era.

Visitor Information

• Location: Mali Lošinj, Croatia (various venues including local restaurants, Hotel Bellevue, Hotel Alhambra, and the Fish Market)

• Dates: September 9–13, 2026

• Menu Pricing: €20 – €60

• Official Website & Bookings: Full schedules, complete menus, and opening hours are available on the official Taste the Mediterranean website.