San53Vin

Rating: 12
Author: Gault&Millau

Svetvinčenat 53, 52342 Svetvinčenat, Croatia

12/20
Gourmet Restaurant

5 PHOTOS

Cooking: Local | Mediterranean

Gault&Millau's review 2026

At the back side of the Morosini-Grimani Castle, on the central square of beautiful Svetvinčenat, the new San53Vin is located in a space that used to be a restaurant. Although they have preserved some of the original decor, they have given the restaurant the feel of a warm, cosy tavern. It is especially nice to sit outside, on the spacious terrace surrounded by greenery, with a view of the Castle. You can seat on the terrace even in winter because it is protected by glass walls. The friendly personnel makes an effort to take care of each guest. The menu is extensive and contains mostly local Istrian dishes, from sardines on saor to octopus salad, from fuži in truffle sauce to gnocchi with beef gravy. But there are also some attractive international dishes, such as prawns in tempura and bruschetta with roast beef. We tried the vitello tonnato, an Italian summer specialty of thinly sliced cold veal in a creamy tuna sauce with capers. A delicious and refreshing dish. The mussel buzara was good, and we also liked their prawn risotto, seasoned with saffron and topped with 5 large grilled, peeled prawns. While the fish selection is relatively small, there are plenty of meat dishes, from the steak in truffle sauce, in green pepper or with gorgonzola, to the Fiorentina and tagliata, and the traditional oven-baked lamb with potatoes or braised lamb in a sauce with sauerkraut, and even a Wiener schnitzel (a breaded veal steak). They offer Istrian wines, also by the glass, and their house Malvasia is decent. Given that San53Vin is one of the few good restaurants in Sanvinčenat, reservations are recommended during the summer season.