Old River Restaurant: Experience Authentic Istrian Cuisine in Buzet

Welcome to the enchanting world of Old River Restaurant, a culinary haven nestled in the picturesque setting of Buzet, Croatia. Located at Rusnjak 70, this charming establishment offers a delightful blend of tradition and innovation, making it a must-visit for both locals and travelers alike.

As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated. The decor strikes a balance between cozy elegance and rustic charm, providing the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. The attentive staff are not just servers; they're passionate hosts eager to make you feel right at home.

The menu is a celebration of Istrian cuisine, with dishes that honor local ingredients and culinary traditions. Guests rave about the homemade Prosciutto and Cheese platter, paired exquisitely with house-made sausages, which showcases the region's rich gastronomic heritage. The Istrian Maneštra, a hearty stew bursting with flavors, is particularly nostalgic, bringing back fond memories of home-cooked meals. Each plate is not only a feast for the palate but also a visual delight, beautifully presented to enhance your dining experience.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options round out the menu, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy. Patrons appreciate the generous portions and reasonable prices, making fine dining accessible to all. Reviews highlight the cheese ravioli with donkey stew and Istrian ox in wine as memorable main courses that are sure to leave you wanting more.

What sets Old River apart is not just the exceptional food, but the experience as a whole. The restaurant features ample parking, ensuring your visit starts off stress-free. For families and groups, the nearby sunflower field and playground offer a charming touch, making it a perfect destination for a leisurely outing.

Overall, Old River Restaurant embodies the spirit of Istria, combining homey warmth with culinary excellence. With its focus on quality ingredients and genuine hospitality, it’s easy to see why guests leave with stars in their eyes and a promise to return. For a delightful culinary journey that balances tradition with taste, Old River Restaurant is your place to be.

For inquiries or reservations, don’t hesitate to reach them at +385 91 166 2111.

Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Romana Maružin

18/10/2025

The Oldest Bled Cellar Amazing atmosphere with a perfect mix of tradition and charm. The food is authentic, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor, while the wine list showcases the best of Slovenia. The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and make you feel right at home. A true gem in Bled — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

Cvrcak2008

13/09/2025

Five-Star Dining Experience! I recently had the pleasure of dining at Old River restaurant and it was truly exceptional although we came without reservation and we stayed only for a short time ( not to mention we were 3 ladies which is usually a sign for not drinking and less eating but hours of talk ). From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcome with their warm hospitality and attentive service. The food was the real highlight—beautifully presented, packed with flavor, and clearly made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every dish we tried was delicious, but the standout for me was the genuine homemade Prosciutto and Cheese platter for two ( with some homemade sausage and bacon) which is mostly hard to find in better restaurants and istrian Maneštra, perfectly cooked and bursting with taste. The ambiance was cozy yet elegant, making it perfect for a relaxed evening out or a special occasion. I also appreciated the thoughtful menu options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Overall, I can’t recommend Old River enough. It’s a place where the passion for great food and excellent service truly shines. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Roberta Jurasic

06/09/2025

While exploring some old and some new areas of the peninsula, we drove by this place the day before and decided to stop for dinner. What a gem! I want to point out that the restaurant has plenty of parking space which is very important especially if you have a larger vehicle. We didn’t have a reservation so we had to sit inside which is very tastefully decorated. Staff was very friendly and personable. Now the food - EXQUISITE! We ordered an Istrian charcuterie board for 2. It was plenty of food to feed 3. My sister also ordered a bowl of Istrian manestra that we all tasted. Took me right back to childhood and my Nona’s manestra. We ordered 3 different main courses so we can try different things. Nettle njoki with asparagus and prosciutto, cheese ravioli with donkey stew, and Istrian ox in wine with polenta. Finger-licking delicious. Portions are generous and the prices are very fair. For my fellow Americans, all that food plus 2 glasses of wine and a juice and a bottle of mineral water was about $135. Added bonus- a sunflower field and a playground meadow in the beach of the restaurant.

Antonela K

27/08/2025

Tasty food, beautiful setting and great service. They also have gluten free fuži on the menu, which were amazing.

Tom De Busscher

26/08/2025

Good food with big portions. Quite a big restaurant so there can be a waiting time. If you can sit on the terrace in the back that has amazing views.

גל אלג'ם

20/08/2025

The best restaurant we went to in a 3 weeks trip in Croatia& Slovenia . Great food, every thing on the point, delicious, generous and beautiful plates. The view and the place are amazing and it’s a fun haven for kids. 100 !!!

Monika

29/06/2025

So HAPPY I discovered this place. Amazing food and lovely service, great ambiance and they cater to people with allergies (gluten in my case). Definitely worth a visit.

Patricia Rezic

26/06/2025

Discovered this incredible restaurant by luck after we left the Aura Distillery in Buzet. From the moment you pull up to Old River Restaurant you can sense that it will be a wonderful experience. I can't say anything that we had was less then 5 stars. My son had eggs with white truffles shaved on top, upon his first bite you saw he melted into the dish. My husband had deer meat lasagna as an appetizer followed by grilled veal. The deer meat lasagna he stated was one of his best dishes he has ever experienced and the veal was like cutting into butter so soft and delicious. I ordered their herbed chicken with a salad and the herbs that were infused into the chicken I dont have words to describe how delicious it was. For Dessert they gave us a lemon dessert on the house. My husband and son devoured it and said it was rich and tangy. Overall wonderful experience.