Izola's eating reputation rests on fish — sea bass, sea bream, octopus, calamari, sardines and anchovies, all landed at the harbour by a fleet that still goes out most mornings. The waterfront restaurants along the Sončno nabrežje serve the freshest of it; one row in from the water you'll find slightly cheaper konobe (taverns) catering to locals. Most places offer a few non-fish dishes, but going inland for meat in Izola is a wasted opportunity.
Istrian cuisine borrows freely from Venetian and Slovenian traditions — fritto misto, risotto al nero, brodetto stew, polenta with cuttlefish, and a particularly good local salt-cod brandade called bakalar. Sip the Refošk and Malvazija whites from inland Istrian vineyards.