There’s something almost religious about the view of Motovun as you approach it on the road through the Mirna River Valley. This stone sleeper on a hilltop, surrounded by vineyards and dense, dark forest, holds secrets that are not told, but tasted.
When you step into Motovun, the air changes. It becomes heavier, more aromatic, imbued with notes that hark back to garlic, musk and the wilderness. If you’re planning a weekend in this medieval gem, you’ve come not just for sightseeing; you’ve come on a pilgrimage for your palate. As someone who grew up with a truffle in hand, I’ve put together this gastronomic guide to help you experience the best that inner Istria has to offer.
Saturday morning: Entering the realm of Motovun Forest
Your weekend shouldn’t start on the asphalt, but on a soft carpet of leaves. The Motovun Forest is the heart of the world’s most precious habitat: the white truffle.
Truffle Hunting in Istria: More than just a search
Instead of just ordering a truffle at a restaurant, start your day where it’s made. Truffle hunting in Istria with our trained dogs is an experience that changes the way you perceive food. Seeing the glow in a dog’s eyes when it smells a Tuber magnatum Pico (white truffle) at a depth of twenty centimeters is an adrenaline rush that you won’t forget. It’s the moment when you understand why our family has dedicated their lives to this calling.
Book an appointment for an authentic truffle hunt and a tour of the Motovun Tower!
After the hunt, there’s no better breakfast than a fresh frittata with truffles that you may have helped find. That’s the energy you need to climb the 1,052 steps to the old town.
Saturday afternoon: Walking along the walls and current affairs
When you climb to the top, Motovun offers a view that stretches across the whole of Istria, all the way to the Adriatic Sea. But true gourmets look into the glass.
Malvasia and Teran: The blood of the Istrian soil
A gastronomic guide to Motovun would be incomplete without mentioning the local winemakers. In this area, the soil is white and gray, ideal for Malvasia, which gives minerality and freshness. But the king of the hill is Teran – a robust, dark red wine that “loves” black truffles like no other. In our shop “Tartufi Istra” in the very center of Motovun, we will be happy to show you how to pair our spreads with the best local labels.
Sunday: A Tradition on a Plate That Never Fades
After sleeping in the peace of the interior, Sunday is reserved for slow food in one of the local taverns.
Fuži, pljukanci and the mighty šuga
What makes every tavern around Motovun special is the homemade pasta. Handmade fuži with grated truffle is a classic that cannot be missed. If it is in season (from September to January), look for only fresh white truffles. Out of season, the noble black truffle or our family preparations like tartufata will give you that recognizable “umami” taste.
Meat and truffles: A combination of the wild
For those who want a more specific dish, Istrian boškarin (indigenous beef) in black truffle sauce is the highlight of the local cuisine. The black truffle withstands cooking and is wonderfully complemented by rich, dark meat, creating a flavor that lingers on the palate for hours.
What to take home from Motovun?
A weekend in Motovun goes by quickly, but the flavors can last longer. Our gastronomic guide advises that you always leave room in your bag for:
Extra virgin olive oil with truffle aroma: A few drops on a regular egg will take you back to Motovun in a second.
Truffle honey: Perfect with aged sheep cheeses.
Whole black truffles in brine: For those special dinners when you want to impress your friends.
Learn more about our products from the Istrian Truffles range
Your Istrian story is just beginning
Motovun is not just a destination on the map; it is a feeling in your stomach and a smell in your nostrils. Whether you decide to take a leisurely stroll along the walls or an adrenaline-fueled truffle hunt, inland Istria will feed you in every sense of the word.
We invite you to visit us in our stores in Motovun, Poreč or Rovinj. Come, taste, ask everything you want to know about the tradition that has been going on since the 1950s. And if you are not with us this weekend, order a piece of Istria via our webshop or book a truffle hunt for your next visit.
The forest awaits you, and we are ready to share its treasures with you.
