A surprise in the heart of Novska! We visited the restaurant at Hotel Knopp!

Recently, we heard that in Novska, a small town at the very entrance to Slavonia, a hotel and restaurant had opened that might bring a touch of more modern tourism to an area most people simply pass through on their way to the coast. The offer here is modest, and the competition is not much better, so any new opening immediately attracts attention. That is why we decided to stop by and see for ourselves, at least when it comes to the food.

Hotel Knopp Photo: Adria.fun

Behind this modern story lies a historical one as well, because Hotel Knopp is not a new building but a restored symbol of Novska, built in the middle of the nineteenth century. Its founder, Adalbert Knopp the elder, a merchant from Osijek, opened a hotel with a restaurant, a large garden, and what was at the time a very advanced ice storage facility, right when Novska was becoming an important transport hub. His son, Adalbert Knopp the younger, turned it into a lively cultural center of the town, gathering musicians, dancers, and theater groups.

Throughout the twentieth century, the hotel gradually declined and changed purposes, until it became only a pale shadow of its former self. Only the renovation completed in 2025 brought the building back to life and gave it a new role. Today it stands as a heritage hotel and a cultural cluster, combining historical elegance with the new offer we came to try.

Hotel Knopp Photo: Adria.fun

The focus of our visit was the restaurant Emilija, which, as we heard, offers a modern interpretation of heritage and tradition in every bite. At first glance,  it is, as one would say, short but sweet. Definitely unexpected when you think of the kind of restaurants and menus usually found throughout Croatia. Yet something is appealing in that. We made a reservation, since it is a small restaurant, and we would recommend you do the same.

As soon as we arrived, a waiter greeted us at the door and showed us to our table. They even took our coats and placed them on the hanger. A nice touch, I thought. We were served immediately, and following the recommendation, we received an aperitif, something to nibble on, and a soup. Not just any soup, but corn soup. As we mentioned, the offer is unexpected. The aroma was interesting at first, and the taste even better. Truly excellent.

After we had all tried the warm appetizer, it was time to branch out with the main courses. On the table arrived roasted lamb with kale, potatoes, and buckwheat, beef tenderloin with fondant potatoes, roasted red onion and toasted hazelnuts, and duck breast with chestnut, beetroot, and roasted carrot. Along with the dishes, we were served a Chardonnay from Katich Winery and a salad.

I personally enjoyed my choice, while there was a comment that the combination of roasted chestnut and beetroot with the duck was a little dry. Still, that should be taken as a matter of personal preference.

After a good main course, it was time to enjoy something sweet. We ordered the chocolate lava cake with raspberries, a hazelnut cake, tačkrle with plum jam, and an egg gibanica with raspberry sauce. While we were discussing the desserts, the impression was not quite at the level of the main dishes. The tačkrle seemed a bit firm, the gibanica was colder than expected, and the cake slightly dry. Still, these are nuances that depend easily on personal taste, so it is entirely possible that someone else would find these desserts just right.

And now, as in all our reviews, let’s discuss the prices. The total bill was 197 euros for four people, with the main dishes ranging from 25 to 28 euros. Desserts were 5 euros, the soup 4 euros, the wine 38 euros, the coffee 1.30 euros, and the sparkling water 2.5 euros. Although the prices are reasonable for the level of service offered, we are unsure how well they align with the local standard. After all, this region is for most travelers only a stop on the way.

All in all, Hotel Knopp truly brings an interesting and high-quality offer to a place where few would expect it, and the restaurant Emilija leaves the impression of a place that will continue to grow and build its audience. It is worth a visit.