Restaurant Lička kuća and Black River Steak & Pasta House have been included in the prestigious international gastronomic guide Gault&Millau Croatia, confirming their excellence and exceptional quality. This year, the Croatian edition of the Gault&Millau guide includes 430 restaurants and 150 wine tasting rooms from all our regions. The Night of the Culinary Oscars at the Esplanade Hotel, the unofficial name of the annual Gault&Millau gala dinner to mark the release of the guide, brought together 101 chefs from all over Croatia.
From the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the prestigious Gault&Millau gala dinner was attended by the General Manager of the Plitvice Lakes National Park Public Institution Tomislav Kovačević, the head of the hotel and catering branch Nikolina Matijević, and the chef of the Lička kuća restaurant Katarina Bićanić.
Gault&Millau – the international seal of quality
Entry into the printed and online edition of the guide means entry into a prestigious selection of the best restaurants in Croatia that meet strict international quality criteria, but also increased recognition among global travelers who are increasingly choosing destinations based on their gastronomic offer. The inspectors of this guide act independently, evaluating each restaurant according to clearly defined criteria, with the emphasis not only on the taste and presentation of the food, but also on the use of local ingredients, service, atmosphere and a sustainable approach. It is particularly significant that Lička kuća Restaurant and Black River Steak & Pasta House are presented as examples of excellence of the Lika-Senj County, which is increasingly positioning itself on the gastronomic map of Europe.
A local story with a global reach
Lička kuća Restaurant, located in the heart of Plitvice Lakes National Park, combines Lika’s rich gastronomic tradition with an innovative approach to food preparation. Dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, authentic recipes and a warm atmosphere attract visitors and food lovers from all over the world who can taste the authentic essence of Lika here. Black River Steak & Pasta House, on the other hand, in an elegant and carefully designed interior with an emphasis on fine dining, offers a top-notch gastronomic experience with a rich selection of steaks, pastas with a Mediterranean touch and a selection of cured meats and cheeses.
Croatian gastronomy – a blend of heritage and innovation
Among the guests was Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports, who presented Gault&Millau plaques to the best Croatian restaurants and thanked the awardees for their contribution to Croatian gastronomy. While presenting the plaques, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Tonči Glavina, particularly emphasized:
“Your efforts and work have enabled Croatia to become recognized in the world as a destination of top gastronomy, a destination with a unique story. Our gastronomic offer is extremely diverse – from traditional dishes that preserve our heritage to the finest restaurants that represent contemporary Croatian cuisine, and all of this together makes our gastronomy special and allows it to grow year after year. I am especially pleased to see young faces here because they show that we have a new generation of talented people who bring freshness and innovation to our industry. Many of them gain knowledge and experience abroad and successfully apply them here, raising the level of quality of our offer.”
A well-deserved recognition and a new stage
For Lička kuća and Black River Steak & Pasta House, being included in the Gault&Millau guide is not only a recognition for their work to date, but also an additional incentive to continue developing, improving and promoting local gastronomy worldwide. This recognition once again confirms that Plitvice Lakes are not only a natural phenomenon, but also a destination that offers top-notch gastronomic experiences, where every guest can feel the spirit of the region through carefully prepared dishes and friendly service.
The recognizable yellow sticker with chef’s hats displayed at the restaurant entrances means to them: luxury is in quality, not in price!