Rivica restaurant closes after 92 years in Njivice

The iconic Rivica restaurant in Njivice, on the island of Krk, has closed its doors after 92 years of continuous operation. Owner Dražen Lesica, representing the fourth generation of his family to run the establishment, stated that the decision was not driven by financial difficulties, noting that the business had actually performed better this season than the previous one.

Lesica cited personal exhaustion and a difficult local climate as primary reasons for the closure. He specifically pointed to the lack of appropriate urban planning from the local municipality over the last fifteen years.

The closure has resonated throughout the Croatian culinary community, particularly as the Kvarner region holds the title of European Gastronomy Region. Industry experts have noted that the situation highlights broader systemic issues in Croatian gastronomy, including the difficulty of sourcing high-quality local ingredients and the disconnect between international culinary accolades and the practical challenges faced by local restaurateurs.