TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS
“Very good food and good price!!"
Very delicious food - meat, pasta with Tartufi and good prices :) The staff is very friendly and the kitchen is very edible and known for its local specialties...
“Truffle-Licious!"
We felt fortunate to get a table for lunch on a rainy Sunday during the Tuberfest in Livade. We ate on the pleasant terrace out front and enjoyed our meal of eggs frittata, pork chops, potatoes, and salad. The pork and eggs were covered with abundant grated truffles - a delicious combination. The salad was also wonderful with cabbage, fresh greens, lettuce and tomato served with a dressing that was just right for this combination. This restaurant is out-of-the way but worth the trip! The wait staff was efficient.
“Great food, nice staff"
I recently traveled through western Istria with my sister, and we ate in a bunch of small, charming restaurants, but this one is the one I will remember. It is not fancy, it is not expensive, but it is truly good food and great service. We had two types of soups (both great), gnocchi with truffles and fuži (a type of pasta typical for Istria) with game, plus a dessert and some wine. I would recommend this little restaurant to anyone who wants to have straightforward, hearty food and be welcomed by the staff as family.
“Good old fashioned place”
Antique restaurant, local cuisine and wine of the region. Excellent pasta stew, at the end of dinner, the boss of honor hot fritters and sweet kroštule, traditional Istrian pastries and good home-made brandy. Very pleasant atmosphere. True local tavern."
“Fantastic ratio quality over price”
Our experience was superb. The restaurant is a traditional road restaurant, always fool of people, many locals and quite noisy, but certainly not annoying. The 10 mark is given to the food, we had the traditional istrian sup, the trofie with truffels and a beef stake with white truffels. We really enjoy the experience. Prices are low, for all we had (2 starters, one first and a second course) we paid something like 35 euros.
Ps: The dessert selection was poor, in the sense that there was no selection, just one cake served for free... by the way very nice..
“A true, non-touristy gem”
Well worth the sleuthing to come here, the restaurant has great food, is off the beaten track, and is truly a little gem. Located in the hill area of Istria, I felt like I was experiencing genuine Croatian dining.
“Great pasta”
Konoba Dolina was a great suprise. First the great food and friendly staff. The food was fresh, well prepared and the fuzi was without a doubt the best I ever had. The second surprise were the prices. You can have a great meal for two with some wine for about €20. The fact that we came back for more during our holiday say's it all.
“Basic and excellent Istrian cuisine”
Simply put, Konoba Dolina has excellently prepared basic Istrian fare, in a simple, no-frills rustic setting that attracts visitors from near and far. It is not unusual to see a number of Italian, Austrian and German plated cars in the parking lot. Located less than 10 kms. from Motovun and Livade, which are the center of Istria’s truffle production and enterprises, Dolina consistently offers mainstays of Istrian cuisine such as frittata with truffles or asparagus, freshly sliced prsut (the local prosciutto), fuzi (the local macaroni - like pasta) or other pasta dishes with truffles or wild game or mushrooms, kobasica (sausages) and the local pork roast, ombolo. One doesn’t go to Dolina for atmosphere or location. Dolina’s strengths are in its fare and its consistent high quality at very reasonable prices.
“Very good Istrian home cuisine and modest prices”
We've been to this restaurant on multiple occasions, either with friends or with family. The good thing about this restaurant is that, throughout the years, it always maintains the same level of food quality and prices. The interior is simple, but the staff is friendly and efficient. Food-wise, I can recommend manestra (thick bean soup), pasta tagliatelle with truffles, gnocchi con selvaggina (potato gnocchi with deer sauce) or gnocchi con goulash, ombolo (pork loin steak) with truffles, and pancakes (palacinke). Dessert can be left out, since they always offer home-made pastries and grappa free of charge.
From what I've listed from their menu, it is clear that they offer a lot of truffles (tartuffi mushrooms) specialties. The restaurant is in the area of Istria famous for its truffles (Motovun area), and while there are other restaurants that offer similar menus, this one is, I believe, the one with the reasonable prices. Excellent value for money. Visited: multiple times, and will visit again.
“Home cuisine”
Very simple furniture, but good preparation and fresh ingredients. Suggest to order: mixed carne; gnocchi with deer meat.
“Ottima Konoba”
Ritornati dalla gita giornaliera nella nostra (ex) bellissima e vicinissima Istria. Dopo una visita ai bellissimi borghi antichi di Grisignana e Montona, abbiamo deciso dopo alcune ricerche anche su TripAdv. di andare a pranzo da Dolina. La Konoba si presenta molto spartana e informale, su un piccolo pendio, periodi estivi anche all'aperto. Entrati, ci hanno fatto subito accomodare, non abbondano di posti, ma vista la giornata, pieno a metà. Ordinato; antipasto di prosciutto crudo, 2 tagliatelle con tarufo, 2 contorni ( bieta costa), 1 palacinca ( omelette al cioccolato), 1/2 litro vino rosso, 1/2 minerale, pane. Il tutto, ma dico tutto, buono ottimo. NB, le tagliatelle con tartufo, senza la panna, (molto usata in Croazia). Prezzo più che giusto. E offerte 2 grappe al vischio. Che dire, ci ritorneremo sicuramente. Pure molto gentili e cordiali i gestori.
“Ottimi tartufi (bianchi) su pasta e carne”
Passato oggi in questo locale dall'aspetto semplice, dal cortese servizio e dai piatti semplici ma davvero ottimi: fusi al tartufo bianco molto buoni, filetto al tartufo (bianco) davvero spettacolare.
Per finire, prezzi onestissimi, dolce e grappa al vischio offerte dalla casa come da tradizione di sano locale.
Da notare la clientela variegata: italiani, austriaci e pure molti croati..locale sempre pieno, quindi buon indice di qualità e prezzo conveniente.
Vista l'esperienza, contesto il fatto che il personale sia scortese; posso solo dire che è una buona trattoria alla mano, quindi ambiente non raffinato ed esclusivo, ma il cibo merita.
“Вкусно”
Небольшое заведение без претензий в отдалении от городов и больших дорог, но если вы хотите попробовать блюда с трюфелями не очень дорого, но очень вкусно - вам сюда. Мы брали свинину с трюфелями и стейк, все было очень вкусно, никаких претензий!
“Un buon pranzetto”
Abbiamo mangiato molto bene, i prezzi sono economici, solo i dolci non erano all 'altezza degli piatti
“Dove mangiare Tartufi nella mitica Istria”
Provatelo. Ubicato in luogo ameno a due passi dalle Terme e dalla vicinissima Montona (da visitare, così potete organizzare una giornata completa in loco), la Konoba Dolina e'un posto dove se tornate 10 volte mangiate bene 10 volte (e' il mio caso), spendete il giusto (si resta piacevolmente sorpresi al momento di pagare) e vi fate una scorpacciata di prosciutto istriano, paste o gnocchi fatti in casa (fusi, tagliatelle), filetto, uova, tutto ricoperto di tartufo raccolto in loco (siamo nella zona di produzione). Patate "in tecia" o fritte molto buone, vino della casa che ben si accompagna al tartufo, per finire un omaggio di dolcetti "frittole e crostoli" e un bicchierino di grappa al vischio. Qualità' al top, ambiente modesto e informale ma accogliente, gestori affabili e cordiali. Credo che il rapporto qualità' prezzo sia assolutamente insuperabile. Consiglio vivamente.
“Fantastica cucina ci si sente a casa”
Con la mia compagna abbiamo mangiato un filetto alla griglia con contorno a 98 kune e un filetto allla griglia con grattugiato sopra il tartufo bianco era sommerso a 125 kune con contorno un insalata mista a parte a 14 kune un mezzo litro di vino a 25 kune...omaggio i dolci tipici e le grappe al vischio e miele...vino e grappe sono da assaporare con moderazione sono forti...il locale era strapieno.....sono UNICI torneremo di certo...
“Finalmente un ristorante da tartufi dove non ti rapinano”
Il titolo dice tutto. Ottima cucina tipica istriana realmente "homemade". Prezzi onestissimi. Servizio cordiale ed efficiente. Mise en place da trattoria (la cosa giusta per una trattoria, sembrerebbe ovvio, ma mica tanto...). Ingredienti ottimi e elaborazione semplice, il "segreto" della buona cucina, troppo spesso ignorato dai soloni dell' haute-cuisine che se la tirano in modo insopportabile dandosi arie da artisti geniali. Vini decenti. Passiamo ai fatti. Un antipasto per due di prosciutto istriano e pecorino locale, nella norma. Un filetto di manzo eccezionale per tenerezza, cottura e sapore, letteralmente ricoperto di tartufo bianco. Un altrettanto fantastico ombolo di maiale sempre generosamente ricoperto dal tartufo bianco. Entrambi i secondi accompagnati da patate in "tecia" di una leggerezza ed eleganza sorprendenti per una pietanza del genere. Mezzo litro di rosso sfuso con un litro di minerale. Due caffè. Piatto di dolcetti offerto dalla casa insieme al digestivo a scelta (ottimo il Pelinkovec) sempre offerto dalla casa. Il conto? Tenetevi forte perchè rischiate di cadere dalla sedia. € 47. Si, avete capito bene, Euro QUARANTASETTE , che fanno € 23,50 (VENTITRE' VIRGOLA CINQUANTA) A CRANIO. Domenica prossima ci si ritorna a provare i fusi istriani al tartufo. Da come venivano divorati dai commensali dei tavoli accanto, devono essere anch'essi fantastici.
“Assolutamente ok”
Ambiente familiare e professionale, la pasta fresca fatta in casa al tarfufo è squisita!!! come tutto il resto, malvasia inclusa. Prezzi ottimi
“Provate i "fusi" al tartufo e ci ritornerete.”
E' una trattoria con cucina casalinga a base di carne, tartufi, funghi, gnocchi e pasta fatti in casa. Il personale è molto gentile e i prezzi più che onesti. Buonissimi anche i dolci (crostoli, frittelle e palacinka). A noi offivano sempre un assaggio di grappa o dolci. Specialità: fusi o tagliatelle al tartufo, goulasch e frittata al tartufo.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g736586-d2297094-Reviews-Konoba_Dolina-Livade_Istria.html#REVIEWS
"Konoba Dolina u malom istarskom mjestašcu Gradinje, nedaleko bajkovitog Motovuna, idealno je mjesto za uživanje u domaćoj autohtonoj istarskoj kuhinji, netaknutoj prirodi i kao stvoreno za bijeg od svakodnevne užurbanosti, buke i stresa. Nalazi se svega kilometar od poznatog liječilišta i wellness centra Istarskih toplica, koje su dobro znane po sumporom bogatim termalnim vodama. U blizini su i poznata istarska pitoreskna mjesta Motovun, Buzet i Grožnjan, a pola sata ugodne vožnje kroz živopisna istarska sela dijeli vas od mora u Novigradu, Umagu ili Poreču. Okruženi zelenilom u dolini rijeke Mirne možete uživati u autohtonim istarskim jelima, od kojih se posebno ističu tartufi koji rastu u okolnim šumama. Pripremaju se s mesom, jajima ili domaćom tjesteninom, kao što su fuži, njoki i ravioli. Preporučamo i maneštre, domaći pršut i sir, ali i sezonska jela, šparoge, ombolo, domaće kobasice, uz bogatu ponudu domaćih i buteljiranih vina. U „užini Velog Jože“ možete uživati i u većim grupama, dobro uhodano vodstvo konobe organizira i fešte do 50-ero ljudi. Važno je istaknuti da ova konoba ima prilaz za osobe s invaliditetom, a mladim obiteljima na raspolaganju je i oprema za hranjenje djece. Smještajni kapaciteti dostupni su u blizini, u Istarskim toplicama ili privatnim apartmanima. Samo pazite da ne dolazite utorkom - tog je dana u tjednu, naime, konoba zatvorena. Konoba Dolina je idealno mjesto za uživanje u svim godišnjim dobima. Stoga ne čekajte ljeto jer ovdje ste dobrodošli svih 12 mjeseci u godini."
"Konoba Dolina poznata je po istarskim autohtonim jelima koja se pripremaju u sezoni svježih namirnicama, u njihovim najboljim varijacijama, tartufa, šparuga, gljiva..."
http://gastro-brand.hr/index.php?option=com_restaurantguide&view=restaurant&id=39%3Akonoba-dolina&lang=hr
"A našli smo ovaj vikend još jedno super mjesto u Istri. Konoba Dolina pored Livada u Istri. Mislim da se mjesto zove Gradinje. Hrana odlična, cijene čini mi se vrlo povoljne. Za Zagrepčane može usporedba - kao da idete na jako dobar gulaš ili grah na Sljemenu. Prostor jednak, hrana raznovrsnija i finija."
http://www.mameibebe.biz.hr/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=47725&start=180
LONELY PLANET REVIEW
"If you have wheels, this low-key locals' favourite is worth the drive for its unassuming vibe and honest simple fare featuring Istrian dishes, many with truffles. Wash it down with local Favorit beer. Coming down from Motovun, make a right toward Buzet and continue till the left turnoff for Gradinje; it's 2.5km from here. It closes for summer holiday for three weeks in late June each year."
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/motovun/restaurants/other/konoba-dolina
TIMEOUT CROATIA REVIEW
"A short drive from Motovun (head into Livade and take a right at the only roundabout) Dolina is a perfect example of fantastic, simple local food in a simple, local place. It’s slightly off the beaten track, not touristy or flash – and all the better for it. It’s also incredibly good value. The secret is the quality of the fresh ingredients: huge plates of meaty porcini mushrooms (in Autumn) served with olive oil; heavenly fuži with truffles, either in a cream sauce or without; and squid with chips, cabbage salad, beans. Dolina gets busy with locals sat around wooden tables, repeat guests and chattering eldery Italian ladies from the nearby spa."
http://timeoutcroatia.com/istria/motovun/restaurants/konoba-dolina/
"še en odličen »a must« za vse gurmanke in gurmane. na severu hrvaške istre tik pod motovunom so gradinje in tam konoba dolina, natančni naslov je gradinje 59/1, oprtalj (garmin, googlemaps, še bolš pa kr old skul mapa al atlas bo zihr znal pokazat kje točno to je). za njo smo od prijazne in gurmansko podkovane domačinke zvedeli in jo prvič tudi sprobali lani za časa motovunskega filmskega festivala - mff. no in ker je blo lani odlično, in ker smo ravno te majske dni spet pokrožli na teh lokacijah (grožnjan, vas na sosednjem hribu od motovuna je v kulturnem smislu nekaj podobnega, kot je konoba dolina v gurmanskem) seveda ni šlo, da ne bi šli preverit kako pa kaj kuhajo letos, pa še sezona šparog je ravno v zaključku in teh na meniju ne bi smelo manjkat. pa so. ni jih bilo napisanih, a ravno zato, ker je to sezonska jed, na meniju pa je bila napisana le stalna ponudba. tako smo naročili domače fuže s šparogami in tartufi, pa golaž s svinjino in govedino ter domačimi pljukanci (kakor je imenovala lastnica gostilne enostavne rombaste majhne testenine, še najbolj podobne mini svalkom, aldente skuhane in odlične), za predjed se nikakor nismo mogli/hotli izognit mineštri in še dobro, da se nismo ker si je zaslužla s kruhom pomazan krožnik. zraven pa domačo solato…
no ko je govora o konobi dolina, je besedo »domača, domače« kar viška pisat, ker je tako vse domače. tako v solati ni blo najdet ne paradajza, ne kumare, namesto tega pa okusen radič, zeleno solato, vloženo rdečo peso, zelje, rukolo (ono iz vrta, malo večjo in z luknami). brez terana ali malvazije itak nima smisla jest istrsko kuhno, tako da je padlo še pol litra terana, potem še obvezen espreso in krožnik kroštul, cvrti desert, ala miške pri nas. torej spet se je za mizo bila borba med razpoložljivimi kapacitetami in željami sprobat vse in pojest vse, ker karkoli pustit bi bil še večji greh, kot sploh ne pridet sem. no lahko rečem, da so bili na koncu krožniki samo še za splahnt. in kolko naj je to koštalo? 198,00 kun kar znese 26,83 evrov! a? sitniš! na računu pa ni blo najdet ne espresov in ne kroštul. pred odhodom pa nama je prijazni kelner ponudil še domače žganice. kar težko, da počasi ne bi že tuhtala zakaj bi bilo potrebno v kratkem spet v gradinje. sicer pa mff ni daleč.
poleg odlične hrane pa konobo dolino na seznam jačih restavracij kdaj obiskanih daje tudi zelo prijazno osebje, od lastnice, ki se ji sploh ne mudi nazaj v pisarno al za šank in ti prav z veseljem razloži kaj in kako je kaj pripravljeno in kaj svetuje in kaj je sezonsko, do prijetnega kelnarja in kelnarce (z zalogami domače žganice pod pultom), do finega ambijenta, prej socialističnega kot njuejđerskega, ravno prav velikega, da ne sediš za edino mizo in da se ne počutiš ko na ohcetu sestrične od mamine tete. vsekakor vredno (ponovnega) obiska."
"yet another "a must" for all gourmand people. in the north of croatian istria, just below motovunom is a village called gradinje with restaurant dolina. the exact address of the restaurant is gradina 59/1, oprtalj (garmin, google maps, or better old school map or atlas will certainly be able to show exactly where that is). we first heard for this restaurant last year, for our visit of motovun film festival - mff, from a friendly and knowledgeable gourmet local women. and since the gourmand experience last year was excellent, and we were just this may's days again at these locations (grožnjan, village on the adjacent hill of motovun is in the cultural meaning something like restaurant dolina in gourmand) there was no good excuse why not to go back and check it out again this year. and even asparagus season is just in the end and those should not be left out on the menu. but they were. no asparagus on the menu. why? because this is a seasonal dish and on the menu were written only a fixed ones. so we ordered fuži (kind of istrian pasta) with asparagus and truffles, goulash with pork and beef and homemade pljukanci (as owner of the restaurant called simple diamond like small pasta, cooked al dente and excellent), for starters there was no way we could/should avoid mineštra (vegetables and meat soup with corn, traditional istrian dish) and luckily we didn't because it was delicious. then home grown salad ...
well when it comes to the dolina restaurant, the word "home grown or home made" is unnecessary to write.. so in the salad you couldn't found tomatoes, nor cucumbers bur tasty radishes, lettuce, red beet, cabbage, rocket (that from the garden, a bit larger and with holes). without teran or malvasia there's no sense to eat istrian cuisine, so we had a half-liter of teran with, then obligatory espresso and a plate of kroštule, fried dessert, donut like. at the table we again experience the struggle between the available capacities and desires to try all and eat everything, because to left anything would have been even greater sin, then not even come here. well i can say that at the end our plates were almost so clean, they didn't even need to be washed. and how much it cost us? 198.00 croatian kunas which is 26.83 euros! a? nothing! and they didn't charge us espressos and kroštule. before departure, a friendly waiter offered us also some domestic brandy. what else do you need?! is quite hard not to slowly think why it should be necessarily to go back to gradinje in near future. if nothing else mff is not far.
in addition to excellent food, restaurant valley is on the list of the best restaurants ever visited also because of a very friendly staff, from the owner, who doesn't rush back to the office or desk and is just happy to explain to you how something is prepared and gives you an advice around choosing, the nice waiter and waitress (with their domestic reserves of brandy under the counter) to the nice ambience, more socialist like then new age and just the right size, so you don't sit on the only table and you don't feel like being a part of a cousin from your mother's aunt wedding. definitely worth to (re)visit."
http://fine2meline.blogspot.com/2011/05/konoba-dolinarestaurant-dolina.html
"Eine der besten Konobas in der ich gegessen habe! Ich mache seit 25 Jahren Urlaub in Kroatien! Diese Konoba ist nur zu empfehlen! Sehr gute einheimische Küche zu sehr moderaten Preisen, wunderschön gelegen und sehr (und ich meine sehr!) freundliches Personal! Ich freue mich schon auf den 12 Mai ca 13:00 Uhr , wenn ich dort wieder zum essen einkehre!"
http://www.index.hr/foodspots/restoran/dolina/buzet/komentari/