Days of Calamari
The Culinary Days, which began their journey in Izola, have now expanded to the entire Slovenian Istria region. This time, 17 selected inns and restaurants invite you to enjoy special dishes featuring calamari, inspired by the tradition and creativity of local chefs. Some of them also offer tasting menus or dishes paired with selected wines.
From October 17 to November 2, 2025, we invite you to savor them in selected inns and restaurants across Slovenian Istria.
Healthy seafood
Calamari are very high in easily digestible protein and contain vitamins B2, B3 and B12 as well as phosphorous, zinc, magnesium and potassium. They are also high in copper, which plays an important role in absorption and use of iron as well as red blood cell production.
When buying calamari, you can buy them fresh or frozen. Regardless, you need to be careful that they are pearly white – their meat should never be yellowish. Eyes of fresh calamari are black and, as with fresh fish, clear. Another important thing to note when buying calamari is their smell – it should be gentle and not remind you of fish. You can use an entire calamari – you can stuff them, cut them into rings or strips; you can also eat the tentacles and, as with cuttlefish, you can also use the ink.
The secret to soft calamari is in the time of their preparation. It can either be very short or very long.
Fresh and local
The restaurants participating in the culinary days are also part of the Kilometer Zero initiative, which aims to promote fresh ingredients from the local environment. The initiative obliges the restaurateurs to source at least 80 % of ingredients from the local area directly from the providers.
This method follows the guideline »From the sea (or in this case field) to the plate«, ensuring fresh and wholesome dishes and making a significant contribution to the support of local farmers.
Do you want to prepare the calamari at home? Check out the recipe prepared by chef Ivek from the restaurant "Restavracija hotela Marina".
