Cap Aureo
Background and brief
Cap Aureo Signature Restaurant is a Michelin-starred fine dining destination perched atop the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj. Under the leadership of Chef Jeffrey Vella, Cap Aureo has quickly become one of Croatia’s most talked-about culinary experiences, earning its first Michelin star in 2025 for high-quality, creative cooking rooted in local terroir and seasonality.
Guests are invited to embark on multi-course tasting menus, often around 20 courses in length, that change with the seasons and reflect ingredients sourced largely within a 50-kilometer radius. These menus guide diners through an evolving landscape of flavors that harmonize coastal freshness with hinterland intensity.
Our Solution
The culinary concept centers on authenticity, innovation, and connection to place. Every tasting menu at Cap Aureo is designed as a narrative, with each course telling part of a larger story inspired by Istria’s seas, fields, and seasonal rhythms. Chef Jeffrey Vella’s approach is characterized by a deep respect for ingredients and precise technique, resulting in dishes where vegetables, seafood, and local proteins are transformed into refined expressions of flavor and texture.
The kitchen’s creative palette spans delicate interpretations of Adriatic seafood and rich, earthy land-based elements, showcasing, for example, lobster with nuanced pairings and intensely flavored mushroom courses that highlight micro-seasonal nuances. Menus are bespoke, with options for shorter or longer journeys tailored to each guest’s preference, and complemented by a curated wine list featuring prominent Croatian producers alongside distinguished international labels.
Services Provided
Project Completion Date
Summer 2019
Project Team
Jeffrey Vella
Related Press
https://guide.michelin.com/hr/en/istria/rovinj/restaurant/cap-aureo
https://www.yachtscroatia.com/croatia/gastronomy/cap-aureo-istrian-flavour-theatre
https://buro247.hr/jeffrey-vella-chef-intervju/
https://www.theworlds50best.com/hotels/the-list/grand-park-hotel-rovinj.html
Awards
Michelin Star








