In 1996, when we published the first independent, sponsor-free regional gastronomic guide in Croatia, only the most far-sighted could have foreseen the development of the gastronomic scene in Istria.

Top-restaurants, some of them famous right across Europe; numerous rural inns, the so-called konobas, that have preserved their original ambience and where meals are prepared in the traditional way; competent and friendly staff, including some forty sommeliers trained to international standards; expert presentation of local high-quality delicacies: white truffles, air-dried, home-cured ham pršut, sheep cheese, olive oil, seafood, the local wines Malvasia and Teran …

This would be a sketch portrait of the contemporary gastronomic scene in Istria, in which, if you can forgive a little immodesty on this auspicious occasion, our gastronomic guide has also played a small role. The fact that Istria has been listed in the more renowned international gastronomic guides (Gault Millau and Veronelli, to name only the best-known among them), in addition to some of their evaluations coinciding with ours, shows us we are on the right path.

This year's edition of our gastronomic guide is twice as extensive as the first edition ten years ago. In it you will find about hundred addresses:

• Restaurants (evaluated with 80 or more points)
  
• Konobas (Taverns) with a 'domestic' ambience (whose offering is based on dishes prepared in the traditional way), and
  
• Farms that, in line with the more modern trends in agritourism, offer traditional dishes prepared with ingredients from the family’s very own plot.

The best in each category have been awarded the title TOP 2007. It must be said at this point that we have only taken into account those restaurants and konobas that are open throughout the year. The survey was concluded at the end of February 2007.

The following is a list of about hundred addresses of selected Istrian restaurants, konobas and farms that you should visit, try their dishes and make your own assessment. We will be very pleased if you agree with our evaluations. Should you, during your gastronomic travels, come across a restaurant, konoba or a farm that is not on the list, but you think it should be - please let us know!

Bon appetit and cheers!