The story
Monte is not a restaurant that arrived fully formed. It grew from a traditional Istrian tavern opened in 1985 by the parents of chef Danijel Đekić, in the stonewalled courtyard of what was once his birth house. That house sits at the foot of the Church of St. Euphemia, Rovinj's iconic landmark, and the setting remains intimate and personal — a place where childhood memories and the rhythms of the Adriatic coast converge.
Danijel and his wife Tjitske, a renowned sommelier, transformed the family tavern into a gourmet destination built on uncompromising quality. Together, they passed their dedication to their sons, Ilja and Simon. Ilja now works alongside his father in the kitchen, crafting cuisine that is both innovative and deeply connected to the Istrian terroir. Simon, following his mother’s path, leads the front of house as maître d’ and developing sommelier.
Monte’s menu is structured around a tricolore concept — red, green, and blue — a gastronomic interpretation of the RGB colour model. Each colour represents a different tasting journey, always dedicated to Rovinj.
The Red menu follows a 1 x 3 x 6 formula: each day one exceptional seasonal ingredient is selected, prepared in three ways, and served across six original courses. The Green menu offers light, original vegetarian dishes built with the freshest vegetables, wild herbs, and dairy. The Blue menu highlights the finest ingredients from sea and land, prepared to preserve their original flavour and aroma. Ingredients are sourced daily from the local market, fish market, butcher, and small farms around Rovinj.
This exploratory approach, always evolving, earned Monte the distinction of being the first restaurant in Croatia to receive a Michelin star — a recognition of its high-quality cooking and relentless pursuit of reinvention.
Monte’s wine list, curated by Tjitske and Simon, is extensive and deeply local, with a strong focus on Istrian producers. It features a wide selection of Malvazija Istarska from nearby wineries, alongside Champagne, sparkling wines, and international labels. The restaurant’s “Interesting Wine List” tag is well earned — the list is both a reflection of the region and a complement to the kitchen’s terroir-driven cooking.
For groups of 9 to 14, the Cave Lab offers a private dining experience in a separate space, adding another layer to Monte’s hospitality.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
High quality cooking
Nestled at the foot of the Church of St. Euphemia in the old cobblestone streets of Rovinj, Monte promises to give you a taste of Istrian gastronomic culture. The outdoor tables are located on a covered terrace in a small space that provides a family atmosphere. The interior is not large either, but it is just as nice. Don’t expect the stiff elegance of a fine-dining restaurant, but a very cosy atmosphere and a warm Mediterranean space with incredible cuisine and excellent staff. Monte is a restaurant of the Đekić family, whose members are present both in the hall and in the kitchen. Chef Danijel was joined by his son Ilja, and the second son Simon helps as a sommelier his mother Tjitske and both are dedicated to the guests. We opted for the red tasting menu, structured around the innovative 1×3×6 concept: one top-quality ingredient, prepared in three ways, through six creative courses. Before you start, you will be served a delicious amuse-bouche that announces the following courses. An incredible variation of tuna with sesame or carpaccio or tuna prosciutto allows you to see the creativity of the chef. With valuable techniques, in every dish you will be surprised how some ingredients go together. Even the very popular scampi can be prepared in dumplings, rice paper, etc. A little Asian touch enhances the taste. You can expect several hours of enjoyment in tastings of beautiful and generous portions. And you will feel very comfortable the whole time. A smile will be brought to your face by the selection of desserts with the incredible rose ice cream in the vegetarian menu. In addition to a nice selection of champagne, there is a big choice of local labels wines. Monte also offers some excellent, creative non-alcoholic cocktails. If you are not sure about the choice, the sommelier is always at your disposal. Monte will provide you with a special experience and you will always be happy to come back.
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