Highlights of the Tunalicious Street Food Festival in Poreč

The Tunalicious Street Food Festival, which kicked off on September 1st, is approaching its climax as it takes over the Poreč waterfront this weekend. With a total of seven gourmet corners, festival-goers can indulge in a rich selection of street food delights while enjoying other entertaining activities.

Tantalizing Tuna Specialties and Istri-inspired Cocktails on the Go

On the Poreč waterfront from September 8th to 10th, you can savor creatively prepared tuna specialties in the street food style. This year’s Tunalicious features Tunaholic Fish Bar, Poreč’s specialist in “on-the-go” tuna cuisine. Their philosophy revolves around combining fresh, select seafood with a simple and healthy fast-food menu served in eco-friendly biodegradable packaging, perfectly embodying the festival’s concept. Tunaholic Fish Bar will bring their most sought-after tuna dishes to Tunalicious, including Tunaholic Burger, Hot Tuna Hedonist, TunIstra Burger, and Tuna Basilicata sandwich. In addition to the gourmet corners, the Aura corner will offer its signature cocktails and spritzers that blend the finest Istrian flavors in a glass. For those who prefer non-alcoholic refreshments, festival sponsor Pepsi has you covered, while Karlovačko beer offers a refreshing option with its Karlovačko Ledeno, a new, full-flavored lager with a lower alcohol content.

Tuna in a “Seat and Eat” Version

Apart from the enticing offerings at the Poreč waterfront, tuna enthusiasts can already enjoy the gastronomic offerings of restaurants participating in Tuna Restaurant Week, which started on September 1st. Just as Tunaholic Fish Bar specializes in “on-the-go” tuna, Tuna Bay in Poreč specializes in high-end gastronomy centered around fresh Adriatic tuna. During Tuna Restaurant Week, one of the two Tuna Bay locations in Poreč, specifically at Istra Premium Camping Resort in Funtana, will offer a special four-course menu featuring dishes like tuna tartare, tataki tuna, tuna steak, and a delectable dessert.

Tuna Culinary Delights at Spinnaker

As part of the Spinnaker Gourmet Stage dinner series, on September 7th, Chef Spinnaker Goran Hrastovčak will hand over the kitchen to Stiven Vunić, chef and owner of Konoba Zijavica in Mošćenička Draga. Vunić will create meticulously crafted dishes centered around Adriatic tuna, complemented by wines from the Ipša family. This dinner, which has garnered significant interest among seafood enthusiasts, is almost sold out, but it’s worth trying to make a reservation to savor Vunić’s culinary masterpieces.

Big Game Adventures for Everyone

Poreč is the ideal location for big game fishing enthusiasts, as September marks a special period for tuna in the northern Adriatic. The tuna migration route passes through the waters of western Istria, bringing the largest specimens of this popular fish to the area. Therefore, Poreč is the perfect place for all lovers of big game fishing to embark on an adrenaline-filled adventure in pursuit of thrilling battles with giant fish when they bite the hook. Big game fishing trips are readily available, and you can find the contact information of experienced tuna anglers on the Tunalicious website. Since tuna fishing is highly regulated, the big game fishing experience will follow the catch and release principle, ensuring the well-being of both tuna and nature.

Photo Opportunities with Magnificent Tunas

Thanks to the collaboration with expert tuna fishermen who will venture out to sea during the festival, Tunalicious offers visitors and residents a unique opportunity for photos with magnificent tunas on Friday and Saturday at the Poreč waterfront, starting at 8 PM. After the photo session, talented chefs will take over to demonstrate the proper way to slice and fillet tuna, using the resulting cuts to prepare dishes available for purchase. On Friday, the renowned Poreč restaurant Il Divino will present how to expertly slice and fillet tuna, creating a mouthwatering carpaccio from its premium meat. On Saturday, the live cooking show will be hosted by the duo from Izakaya, a restaurant in Zagreb. Reymark Caccam, the head sushi chef, is a true artist in crafting Japanese delicacies, and his skill shines when working with tuna, which he will demonstrate at the waterfront. Another Izakaya sushi master, Mark Anthony Soria, will prepare sashimi from these fillets.

Top-notch Entertainment Program

In addition to various seafood delights, the festival will host a musical spectacle. On Friday, the Rijeka-based band The Janitors will perform as the opening act, followed by a performance by Soul Fingers with Marijo Petreković. On the second day, Zagreb singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Mihael Kvorka will take the stage, followed by the beloved Neno Belan & Fiumensi. The final day‘s musical program begins with Side Effects, an acoustic band from Rapca performing popular pop, rock, and blues covers, followed by a performance by the iconic Split band Daleka obala.

The Tunalicious Street Food Festival, organized by MPG, is proudly sponsored by Valamar, Croatia’s largest tourism company, with support from the City of Poreč, Poreč Tourist Board, Croatian Tourist Board, and Istria County Tourist Board.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary gastronomic and entertainment experience in beautiful Poreč!