Monte

The story began in 1985, when chef Danijel Đekić’s parents ran a traditional Istrian tavern in the house where he was born. Danijel and his wife Tjitske, a sommelier, turned it into a gourmet restaurant, and their sons now work with them: Ilja cooks alongside his father, and Simon runs the dining room as maître d’. In the 2026 guide, Michelin also gave Monte its Service Award.

There are two tasting menus of six courses, each with an opening and closing bite. Flora is vegetarian. Fauna brings in Adriatic seafood and meat, with dishes such as tuna three ways, lobster with bisque foam, and sea bass with Adriatic shrimp and cuttlefish. You can also build a three- or four-course meal from both menus.

Extra courses include langoustine and suckling pig cooked for 24 hours. A pairing of Croatian wines by the glass is offered with either menu, and there is a children’s menu.

ACI Marina Rovinj lies on the south-east side of the town harbour, looking across to the old town. From there Monte is roughly 15 minutes on foot around the harbour and up through the stone lanes, and the last stretch climbs towards St Euphemia. The old town is a pedestrian zone, so a taxi cannot take you to the door.

Monte opens for dinner from 18:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday. Book online or by phone, and list any allergies when you do. Tables of five to eight must all take a tasting menu, and the restaurant books only one group of that size a day. For 9 to 14 guests it suggests Cave Lab, its private dining room 30 metres away, which suits a full charter party.