Matsunoki

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Japanese Tradition Meets the Adriatic

On the pine-shaded shore of Čikat Bay in Mali Lošinj, Matsunoki brings serious Japanese cuisine to the Croatian islands. Part of the Hotel Bellevue within Lošinj Hotels & Villas, the restaurant holds a Michelin recommendation and 16 points in the Gault&Millau guide — recognition that places it firmly among the finest dining destinations not just on Lošinj, but across the wider region.

The Kitchen and Its Philosophy

Executive Chef Orhan Cakiroglu shapes the menu around a principle he describes as deeply personal: "I have always adopted the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen in my life. Kaizen means 'continuous improvement,' which has been the guiding principle of my cooking and culinary presentations." That commitment shows in a menu that stays true to Japanese tradition while drawing on Mediterranean ingredients sourced from local organic farming. Sushi, sashimi, and Matsunoki ramen sit alongside rare Japanese Wagyu A5 beef, nama hamachi, wagyu and truffle gyoza, and a robata grill — a range that rewards both the curious and the devoted.

Whisky, Sake, and an Exceptional Wine Cellar

The drinks program is as considered as the food. A curated selection of Japanese whiskies — Nikka Taketsuru, Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki — and traditional sake complement the kitchen's flavors. The wine list, shaped by Wine Director Filip Veselovac, goes further still: 500 labels and 2,800 bottles stored under controlled temperature and humidity. The list champions Croatian varieties and wine-growing regions, leans toward organic, biodynamic, and vegan producers, and includes cold-climate wines alongside prestigious Champagne formats. This thoughtful curation earned Matsunoki the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, a mark of distinction recognized globally.

The Setting

Guests arrive dressed in relaxed smart casual to a room that takes the occasion seriously without formality. The bay views, the precision of the Japanese cuisine, and the depth of the wine program combine into an evening that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else on the eastern Adriatic.