Cap Aureo

Grand Hotel Park Rovinj, Croatia

Michelin-starred restaurant

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

Culinary Directions
Culinary Training

Project Completion Date

Summer 2019

Project Team

Jeffrey Vella

Related Press

Awards

Michelin Star