The two-day Porto Gastro Festival - Food Experience will be held on August 29 and 30 in the authentic setting of the Kantrida harbor, bringing together top-tier gastronomy, original scenery, and the Kvarner identity.
At the end of August, Rijeka will host a brand-new gastronomic event that uniquely celebrates the flavors of Kvarner. The Porto Gastro Festival, Food Experience will take place on August 29 and 30, 2026 at the Kantrida harbor, with organizers announcing an author-driven project that combines fine dining, an authentic space, and a meticulously crafted atmosphere.
What sets this festival apart from similar events is the location itself. The Kantrida harbor, with its characteristic wooden shacks, will not just be a venue, it becomes a key part of the festival's narrative. Specially designed scenery, ambient lighting, and decorative elements created specifically for this space will highlight its character and give it a whole new dimension while preserving its original identity.
The festival is part of the Kvarner, European Region of Gastronomy project, further confirming its ambition to bring together the best the region has to offer in one place. At the heart of the project are top chefs, winemakers, craft producers, and creatives who shape Kvarner's contemporary gastronomic story through their work.
The festival's idea is to offer visitors a complete experience where gastronomy, space, and atmosphere intertwine into a unique festival experience. Organizers emphasize that this is a new concept of presenting Kvarner's gastronomy, where food is not the only focus, the ambiance and the overall vibe created on-site are equally important.
Although specific names of chefs, restaurants, and exhibitors have not yet been announced, organizers say the first confirmations will arrive in the coming days. Based on the announcements, the end of August at Kantrida will bring a meeting of top gastronomy, an authentic space, and the people who create Kvarner's flavors, all as part of a festival that ambitiously aims to become a new reference point on Croatia's gastronomic map.
