Restaurants in the Old Town

These are within a few minutes' walk of Bella Natka.

Pizzeria Sergio

Family-run pizzeria fifteen metres from Bella Natka's door. Wood-fired oven, classic Italian pizzas, very good. Locals consistently rate it the best pizza in town. Walk-in for lunch; book ahead for dinner in summer.

Restaurant Tipico Old Town

A few metres from Sergio's. Solid Istrian-Italian menu — risotto, pasta, grilled fish, a good wine list. Reliable for a longer dinner.

Restaurant Škabelin

Seafood-led, more polished, with a small terrace. Good for a celebratory evening; book ahead.

Restaurant Ulika

Modern Mediterranean menu, careful cooking, attentive service. Sits comfortably between casual and fine-dining.

Restaurants outside the Old Town

Worth the short walk or drive — particularly if you are staying at Hotel Boutique Natka or Villa Natka.

Restaurant Dario (near Hotel Boutique Natka)

Two hundred metres from Hotel Boutique Natka. Friendly neighbourhood spot — pizzas, grills, and a good lunch menu. Useful for an unfussy evening.

Restaurant Pizzeria Mamma (near Villa Natka)

Two kilometres from Villa Natka. Good pizzeria with a garden — kid-friendly, easy parking.

Restaurant Babilon (near Villa Natka)

Three kilometres from Villa Natka. Larger restaurant, traditional Istrian and grill menu.

Restaurant Viking (Rovinjsko Selo area)

Five kilometres from Villa Natka. Local favourite — straightforward Istrian cooking, generous portions.

Konoba Veli Jože

A classic Rovinj konoba (tavern) just inside the Old Town entrance. Old-school heavy mains — bean and sausage stew, Boškarin beef. Atmosphere over polish.

Wineries — the wine road

Istria has been making wine for two thousand years; the modern revival started in the 1990s and is still gathering pace. Two grapes to know:

  • Malvazija Istarska — the white. Crisp, mineral, a touch of bitter almond on the finish. Best young, ideally from the most recent vintage.
  • Teran — the red. Native, unusual, high-acid, deep colour. Goes well with cured ham and game.

Wineries to visit, all within easy driving distance of Rovinj:

Matošević (~20 min from Rovinj)

The winery Natalie at Villa Natka recommends. Highly regarded malvazija; tasting room with an English-speaking host. Booking ahead is sensible.

Kozlović (~30 min, Momjan area)

One of Istria's best-known producers. Striking modern cellar. Whites and a celebrated muscat from the Momjan microclimate.

Kabola (~25 min, Momjan area)

Organic, with terracotta amphorae for some of their wines. Beautiful hilltop setting; tastings by appointment.

Coronica (~20 min, Umag area)

Excellent teran and a refined malvazija. Smaller, more personal.

If you have one wine afternoon, Matošević is the most efficient choice from any of the NATKA properties. If you have two, add Kozlović for the contrast.

Other food things worth knowing

Olive oil

Istrian extra-virgin olive oils have ranked at the top of international guides (notably Flos Olei) for over a decade. Worth tasting at any cellar door — Chiavalon, near Vodnjan, is a good destination if you like oil seriously. Many tastings include both oil and wine.

Truffles

The Motovun forest, about an hour's drive inland, is one of Europe's main white-truffle territories. Restaurants in Motovun and Livade serve truffle pasta and risotto in season (autumn through early winter for white; spring for black). Day-trip territory — see the Day Trips guide.

Fish markets and produce

Rovinj's daily market is on Trg Valdibora, just outside the Old Town. Mornings only. Fish, fruit, vegetables, cheese, honey, olive oil. The fish market itself sits in a small open hall on the square.

Coffee

Rovinj coffee culture is Italian-style — short, strong, drunk standing at the bar. Caffe Bar As (near Hotel Boutique Natka) and the smaller bars on Carera are local fixtures.