The Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera is rich in quality gastronomy and takes great pride in promoting and preserving its food and wine heritage. This year, a brand-new culinary festival is launching on our Riviera – the Scampi Festival. Is there a better destination to host such an event than a coastal paradise for seafood lovers? Definitely not.

Three tourist boards – Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, and the Municipality of Vinodol – have joined forces to promote the Riviera through its food and wine offerings, highlighting a premium local ingredient – scampi.

This year, the Scampi Festival will take place as a pilot project in June.

From June 6 to 15, restaurants across the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera will offer specially designed menus featuring scampi dishes, showcasing this top-quality ingredient for all visitors to enjoy. Participating venues include the restaurants of Hotels Marina and Miramare, as well as Dida, Burin, Lemoon (Hotel Esplanade), Argo, taverns Navigare and Lucija, pizzeria Nava, and the traditional inn Danica.

This year’s pilot edition also serves as a teaser for the full-scale Scampi Festival, which will take place in spring 2026 as a new gastronomic and tourist attraction – in the very year when Kvarner proudly holds the title of European Region of Gastronomy.

Why scampi? Because they are a true delicacy of the sea and a symbol of our region, particularly the Vinodol Channel, where they grow larger and more flavourful than in open waters, thanks to the seabed type, sea temperature, and the unique mix of brackish and saltwater.

Starting next year, the festival will blend gastronomy, culture, tradition, education, and entertainment, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for all visitors.

Foodies – don’t miss the chance to surprise your taste buds and delight all your senses, surrounded by the blue sea and lush green landscapes!