ALTROKE ISTRA GOURMET FESTIVAL: Vanganel

After a successful start to the festival route, the Altroke Istra Gourmet Festival continues in the popular Vanganel, where the summer evening will smell of local delicacies, top-quality wines and authentic Istrian atmosphere.

This time we will meet on Thursday, July 16, 2026, when Vanganel will come to life in the rhythm of cuisine, socializing and summer stories.

FREE BUS TRANSPORT: more information will be available shortly.

FLAVORS OF ISTRIA THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS

When the day turns into evening, Vanganel will become a meeting place for lovers of good food, wine and relaxed summer moments.

Visitors will be greeted by stands of local providers, where traditional Istrian recipes, modern culinary ideas and seasonal ingredients from the local environment will be intertwined.

In one evening, you will taste everything that makes Istria unforgettable:

• authentic Istrian cuisine
• a selection of the best local wines
• craft beers and refreshing drinks
• sweet Istrian inspirations
• music and socializing under the stars
• This time, the music group Ne me jugat will provide a real summer mood, with their energy ensuring relaxed socializing, good mood and an evening that you will want to extend.

WHAT AWAITS YOU?

CULINARY CREATORS

The heart of the festival is represented by top food providers who will demonstrate the richness of Istrian gastronomy through traditional recipes and modern culinary interpretations.

• Restaurant Altrokè – homemade tortellini according to Nonna Lidija's recipe, boškarin burger, risotto with octopus, Istrian cold cuts and other Istrian specialties.
• Restaurant Brič – seafood pljukanci, octopus in salad, sardines on šavor and fried calamari.
• Gostilna Oljka Vanganel – ombolo in dough, Istrian drunken fuži, strozzapreti with truffles and shrimps and other homemade Istrian dishes.
• Društvo Dobra volja Škofije – fuži with truffles and gnocchi with asparagus.
• Gorki Chili – authentic Neapolitan pizzas from a bread oven.
• LIMONI ŠIK – lemon noodles with scampi, clams, shrimp and seasonal herbs.
• Ribiška vasica – breaded sardines, pedoči on buzara and fish panini.
• Azienda Agricola Zobec – cold fish appetizers with a marine touch from the Gulf of Trieste.

CRAFT BEER AND COCKTAILS

Summer refreshment will be provided by the creators of drinks with an Istrian character:

Gineral – gin, rum, orange juice and summer cocktails
Pivovarna Naboj – a selection of draft craft beers of its own production
MonteMoro Wines – granita, coffee and wine refreshments
LIMONI ŠIK – refreshing Limoni Spritz
Gostilna Oljka Vanganel – homemade lemonades with elderberry and lavender
Tourist and Cultural Association Šparžin – homemade elderberry lemonade
Restaurant Altrokè – summer Aperol Spritz

ISTRIAN WINE MAKERS

Visitors will be able to taste top-quality wines from renowned Istrian winemakers, from fresh Malvasia to characteristic Refosco, sparkling wines and other wine specialties.

• Hrvatin Winery
• Bordon Wines
• Bio – Organic Vina Montis & Eko Laura
• Brič Wine Cellar
• MonteMoro Wines
• Vinales
• Azienda Agricola Zobec

SWEET CORNER

The icing on the cake will be sweet Istrian delicacies:

• Šparžin Tourist and Cultural Association – homemade fritters and crispy hroštole with homemade jam.
• Sladkana – single-portion desserts, cheesecake on a stick and sweet creations with an Istrian touch.
• Friends Food Lab / Pu Dumaće – homemade gelato and refreshing summer desserts.

MORE THAN A FESTIVAL

SPECIAL PROGRAM

This year, the Altroke Istra Gourmet Festival also brings something for adrenaline junkies and safe driving enthusiasts. In cooperation with the Kondor Motorcycle Association, a safe driving training ground will be held at the Vanganel playground between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, where visitors will be able to try their hand at skill challenges led by experienced instructors.

Young drivers of motorbikes and scooters are especially invited, who will be able to compete for attractive prizes and at the same time refresh their knowledge of safe driving. The best driver will be awarded by MOL with fuel gift cards worth a total of €400, and 5 packages of the new non-alcoholic Joe beer will also be awarded.

Because the best ride is always a safe ride.

NO WORRIES ABOUT TRANSPORT

A free bus service from Koper will be organized this year as well. More information will be published shortly.

Leave the driving to others and enjoy an evening of top-notch flavors without any worries.