Motovun Food
Explore Motovun Food: Truffles & More
Motovun’s food scene is all about truffles. This medieval hilltop town in Croatia’s Istrian region is famous for both white and black truffles, which appear in everything from pasta and steak to cheese and olive oil. Whether you’re browsing a truffle shop or dining at a terrace restaurant overlooking the Mirna River Valley, truffles are the star.
We spent several days in Motovun visiting truffle shops, tasting regional specialties, and exploring where to eat. This guide covers the town’s most traditional ingredients, best restaurants, and a few ways to experience Motovun through its food—especially if you’re here for truffles.
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Traditional Food in Motovun
Motovun sits in the heart of Istria’s truffle country, and nearly every dish reflects this regional specialty. The surrounding oak forests produce both white and black truffles, which are used in pasta sauces, on grilled meats, and infused into oils, cheeses, and sausages. These earthy flavors define the local food identity.
Beyond truffles, traditional Istrian cuisine includes cured meats, handmade pasta (like fuži and pljukanci), wild mushrooms, and olive oil. Meals are often paired with local wines like Teran or Malvazija, making dining in Motovun as much about the experience as the ingredients.
To explore more of the regional food landscape, see our Istria Food guide.
Istria Food
Istrian cuisine blends Adriatic and Central European influences, shaped by local agriculture and foraging traditions. Dishes rely heavily on olive oil, fresh herbs, and seasonal ingredients, especially mushrooms and truffles.
In Motovun, traditional meals often include:
- Fuži with truffles – Hand-rolled pasta served with a truffle cream or butter sauce
- Istrian pršut – Air-dried ham, typically served with cheese and olives
- Cheese with truffle – Local cheeses topped or infused with seasonal truffles
- Truffle omelets – A simple preparation highlighting the intense aroma of fresh truffles
- Wild mushroom stews – Cooked with pasta, polenta, or seasonal greens
For more dishes found across the peninsula, visit our Istria Food guide.
Motovun Truffles
Motovun is world-renowned for its truffles. The surrounding forests—especially those along the Mirna River—produce both white and black truffles, harvested at different times of the year. Whether fresh, preserved, or infused into oils and cheeses, truffles are the signature ingredient in nearly every local dish.
White Truffle
(Tuber magnatum pico)
Harvested from September to January, the white truffle is the most prized variety in Istria. It has a strong aroma and is typically served shaved over pasta, eggs, or risotto.
Summer Truffle
(Tuber aestivum)
Available from May to August, this variety has a milder flavor and is often used fresh or preserved in oils. It’s the most common truffle sold during the warmer months.
Winter Truffle
(Tuber brumale)
Also harvested between September and January, this black truffle variety is known for its deep, musky scent—ideal for rich sauces and pasta dishes.
Black Truffle
(Tuber melanosporum)
Found from January to March, this dark truffle is especially valued in Istria. It has a bold flavor and is often used in meat dishes or infused into spreads.
Truffle Shops in Motovun
Motovun has several specialty shops dedicated to truffle products, most located along the Gradiziol street leading to the Old Town. These shops offer everything from fresh truffles to oils, spreads, cheeses, and pastas—all infused with the distinctive flavor of Istria’s most famous ingredient.
Zigante Tartufi
Address: Gradiziol 8, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Perhaps the most well-known truffle brand in the region, Zigante offers an extensive range of products. Their shop in Motovun features fresh truffles (in season), along with truffle oils, salts, sauces, and gift packs.
Bencic Truffles
Address: Gradiziol 10, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Located just up the street from Zigante, Bencic Truffles is a family-run shop known for high-quality truffle goods, including cheese, honey, and sausage with truffle.
B&M Truffle Shop
Location: Adjacent to Zigante Tartufi
This compact shop offers a tightly curated selection of preserved truffle products. A good stop for packaged items if you’re short on time.
Tartufi Istra
Address: Ulica Pietro Kandler 2, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Tartufi Istra operates a tasting room in the center of the Old Town. It’s a great place to sample products before buying, with options including truffle cheese, spreads, and pasta sauces.
Restaurants in Motovun
Dining in Motovun revolves around local ingredients—especially truffles—and panoramic views. Many of the town’s restaurants feature open-air terraces overlooking the Mirna River Valley, along with menus that highlight Istrian pasta, grilled meats, and regional wines.
Bistro Bar Montona Gallery
Address: Trg Josefa Ressela 2, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
This terrace restaurant offers one of the best views in town, along with a menu focused on truffle-infused Istrian dishes. Expect excellent service and local wines.
Konoba Fakin
Address: Trg Josefa Ressela 4, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Right next to Montona Gallery, Fakin is part of a local winery. You can pair their wines with truffle pasta or cheese plates while enjoying the same stunning view.
Konoba Mondo
Address: Barbican ul. 1, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Located just outside the city gate, Mondo gained fame after a visit from Anthony Bourdain. It’s known for its rustic truffle dishes and cozy atmosphere.
Pod Napun
Address: Gradiziol 33, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Dedicated to traditional Istrian cuisine, Pod Napun focuses on handmade pasta, stews, and local ingredients like wild mushrooms and truffles.
Pod Voltom
Address: Trg Josefa Ressela 6, 52424 Motovun, Croatia
Serving Mediterranean and Istrian fare, Pod Voltom is a good spot for dishes like truffle steak or fuži with mushroom sauce.
Truffle Hunting in Motovun
Truffle hunting is one of the most unique food experiences you can have in Motovun. The forests surrounding the town—especially along the Mirna River—are rich with both black and white truffles, depending on the season. Guided truffle hunts typically involve walking through the woods with trained dogs, learning how truffles are found, and ending with a tasting of local specialties.
These tours are often run by local families who’ve been harvesting truffles for generations. Some experiences include cooking demonstrations or lunch featuring truffle-infused dishes.
Book a truffle hunting tour in Motovun and experience Istria’s culinary heritage firsthand!
Best Places To Stay In Motovun
Hotels in Motovun
To stay close to Motovun’s top restaurants and truffle shops, we recommend booking accommodation in the Old Town. This hilltop area offers direct access to food experiences, historic architecture, and panoramic views of the Mirna River Valley.
Hotel Kastel is a popular option located in a restored 17th-century palace just off the main square. It features a spa, indoor pool, and a shaded terrace—perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
In addition to Hotel Kastel, there are many apartments and villas available for rent, some with kitchens if you plan to cook with local truffle products.
Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
FAQs About Motovun Food
What is the traditional food of Motovun?
Motovun’s food centers on Istrian truffles, handmade pasta, cured meats, and local cheeses. Traditional dishes include fuži or pljukanci pasta with truffle sauce, truffle-infused cheeses, and slow-cooked stews with mushrooms or game meat.
What should I eat in Motovun?
Try anything with truffles: truffle pasta, truffle cheese, truffle omelets, or truffle steak. You’ll also find charcuterie platters, wild mushroom dishes, and local wines like Teran and Malvazija.
What is the most recommended restaurant in Motovun?
Konoba Mondo is especially popular due to its traditional menu and its appearance on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It’s known for hearty truffle dishes in a cozy setting.
Is food expensive in Motovun?
Meals in Motovun can be pricier than other parts of Croatia, especially dishes with fresh truffles. However, the quality is high and the portions generous—most visitors feel the value is worth the price, especially with the views and service.
What’s a unique food experience in Motovun?
Booking a guided truffle hunt is one of the most authentic culinary activities in the area. These tours let you experience truffle gathering firsthand and often include tastings or cooking sessions.
Whether you’re sitting down to a family-style meal or grabbing a pastry on the go, food in Berat is an experience in itself. We hope this guide helps you discover your favorite dishes and restaurants during your stay.