James Joyce loved to spend his time in Opatija on the terrace of the Hotel Imperial, enjoying a cup of coffee and tasting the local specialities. The author of Ulysses and one of the most significant writers of the modern age was famous for his statement that he had had a good day when he had "written an entire sentence". It is therefore clear that he was a man dedicated to perfectionism. His satisfaction with the area's cuisine confirms the quality of the local food, which combines the seafood typical of coastal places that have a long tradition of fishing with the more hearty meals of the villages in the hinterland, which survived due to agriculture and raising livestock. 

Such a combination, which will surely satisfy even the finest gourmet palate, paired with the excellent wines of the region, has made the Opatija Riviera a renowned destination for food lovers and a place that offers the largest number of top restaurants per capita in Croatia. The area's bars and restaurants, which perfectly combine the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with typical local ingredients, proudly bear the Kvarner Gourmet quality label, and many of them have received recognition from national and international gastro guides. The small local taverns, characterised by a traditional approach to cooking and a homely atmosphere, are always popular among the food nomads who want to explore all the secrets of the local cuisine, and are marked by the Kvarner Food quality label.