For the past two weeks, the Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera has been celebrating the flavours of shrimp, and the second edition of the Shrimp Festival has once again confirmed how strongly the region’s gastronomy, fishing heritage and authentic experiences inspire visitors to discover this coastal destination.

The festival began on 15 May with an exclusive dinner at Burin Restaurant in Crikvenica, attracting numerous lovers of fine dining and providing an excellent start to this year’s programme. A specially designed shrimp-inspired menu paired with premium wines set the tone for a gastronomic festival dedicated to local flavours and the sea.

Following this outstanding opening, the festival continued with an authentic maritime and fishing experience in Klenovica, where shrimp fishing excursions and the Fešta od škampa event were organised for the first time. Visitors had the opportunity to head out to sea with local shrimp fishermen and witness the lifting of traditional shrimp traps.

After a morning spent at sea, Klenovica’s waterfront transformed into a lively gathering place filled with local flavours, music and conviviality. Fešta od škampa attracted a large number of visitors who enjoyed delicious seafood specialities, a glass of local Žlahtina wine and a performance by the klapa group Intriga. The excellent atmosphere once again demonstrated how important authentic local events are to the overall destination experience.

On Friday, 29 May, the festival continued with a second exclusive dinner held at Dida Restaurant in Crikvenica. In an elegant setting, guests enjoyed creative shrimp-based dishes and carefully crafted tasting courses, accompanied by the musical performance of klapa Nevera.

Guests had the opportunity to taste Kvarner shrimp, cottage cheese and fig mousse, shrimp ice cream, spinach roulade, smoked shrimp and many other delicacies, all perfectly paired with excellent wines from the Kvarner region.

The dinner at Dida once again confirmed the high standard of the festival’s culinary offering and further established the Shrimp Festival as one of the most attractive food and wine events in this part of Kvarner.

Due to strong visitor interest and excellent feedback on the festival menus, the special offer has been extended until 7 June at the following venues: Burin Restaurant, Half 8 (Aminess Younique Narrivi Hotel), the restaurant of Hotel Miramare in Crikvenica, Kantunić Restaurant and the restaurant of Hotel Marina in Selce, Admiral Restaurant (Marina Novi) and Mirakul Restaurant in Novi Vinodolski, as well as Pod orajom Tavern in Klenovica. Dida Restaurant in Crikvenica will continue its special offer until 4 June, while Lemoon Restaurant (Hotel Boutique Esplanade) has extended it until 31 August.

Festival menus still feature a wide selection of specialties – from shrimp tartare, flame-seared shrimp in brown butter and other contemporary chef-inspired creations to traditional coastal dishes that present the rich gastronomic heritage of the region in a modern and innovative way.