Portoroz is a peaceful, Slovenian town nestled among the vineyards and olive groves of the Istrian Peninsula. Being so close to the Adriatic Sea, it is no surprise that the seafood in Portoroz is always fresh and cheap, as well as the specialty of most restaurants. In the center of town, and along Portoroz Beach, you can have your pick of delicious seafood restaurants boasting spectacular views. Some are cheap and cozy, while others are more expensive and upscale. Of course, there are plenty of fast food restaurants and pizza places as well, but who want cheap junk food when you can have cheap, well-prepared Slovenian food like fish goulash or calamari?

Typical Foods and Drinks

Istrian cuisine is similar to the typical Mediterranean diet. It is based on fresh ingredients including seafood, olive oil, pastas, herbs and spices, and red and white wines, among other things. The most common types of seafood are sardines, sole, squid, calamari, scorpion fish, bass, mussels, and scallops, which are usually paired with an excellent, domestic white wine. Malvazija, Laski, Renski, and Rizling are all well known, white wines from the Istrian Peninsula. Good red wines can be found as well, but they are not as popular. If beer is your passion, Slovenia boasts two refreshing, domestic beers, Union and Lasko. As for non-seafood meals, Slovenian ham is quite sumptuous, as is Istrian "brodet", or fish goulash. Other traditional dishes include dumplings with venison and fuzi noodles with truffels.

Portoroz Restaurants

For a cheap and abundant meal of seafood, without a stuffy atmosphere, the best place you can go is the Fish Market in central Portoroz. Yes, it is actually a fish market, so you know the seafood is going to be fresh. There is a narrow row of tables to eat at, and the service is quick. The best part is that every meal is under $10 USD! The only problem is that the Fish Market gets crowded in the summer, but it's still worth the trip. Other cheap seafood places are Ribir, which is actually a little bit outside of town, Spiaggia Bar, which is right on the beach, and Cantina di Pesce, which is delicious, but usually very crowded.

For a classy night out to dinner with your significant other, Taverna is a nice restaurant to go to. Specializing in seafood, like almost every other restaurant in Portoroz, Taverna has a distinctively upscale atmosphere and style. Obviously, it is the atmosphere that you pay for more than the food. Main dishes cost anywhere from $21 to $30 USD.