BEST ZAGREB RESTAURANTS: WHERE TO EAT IN ZAGREB FOR EVERY BUDGET
If you’re a foodie who wants to eat at some great Zagreb restaurants while visiting, this blog post is for you!
There’s one thing you need to know about Croatians – we love to eat! So, if you’re someone who likes to indulge and eat great food while travelling, you’ll have a great time in Zagreb.
In this blog post you’ll find several great restaurants in Zagreb, including what you can get there and what kind of budget you need for a meal per person. I live in Zagreb so these are some of my absolute favourites, and definitely worthy of checking out!
ARE ZAGREB RESTAURANTS EXPENSIVE?
Eating at restaurants in Zagreb can be expensive, but it really doesn’t have to be. Zagreb has a very diverse restaurant scene, with all types of cuisines for every kind of budget. Overall, I’d say Zagreb is more affordable than many Western European capitals in most aspects, and food is definitely one of them.
Of course, there’s a big difference between grabbing a quick street food bite and enjoying a three-course meal at one of the city’s finest restaurants. Still, most places are reasonably priced, and even if you do spend a bit more on dinner, you can be sure the quality of the food will make it well worth it.
BEST ZAGREB RESTAURANTS YOU MUST TRY:
BATAK – €€
If you want to feel right at home, visit Batak Grill. Batak is a Croatian restaurant brand specialising in what Croatians love most, and that’s excellent meat dishes. Their menu includes all the classics: quality rib-eye steak, burgers, BBQ ribs, and wings.
What makes it special is that you can also try traditional Balkan and Croatian dishes such as cevapi and cobanac. You’ll find Batak at Cvjetni Square and in Tkalciceva Street in the city centre, but they’re all over Zagreb.
I highly recommend trying cevapi or cobanac if you enjoy tasting traditional food. Their sarma is also fantastic! And if you’d rather stick to something more familiar, their platters and burgers are excellent as well.
For a meal and a drink, expect to spend around €15–30 per person.
STARA SAVA – €
If you’re one of those people who love a traditional family restaurant with excellent food and really great prices, Stara Sava is where you should go! This is my comfort restaurant with some of my favourite food I’ve eaten in Zagreb. Their menu is broad, and you can get various meals there, from traditional Croatian food to pizzas and pastas.
Although some restaurants have problems with delivering excellent food when there’s a big menu, Stara Sava does not have that problem. The portions are huge and can often be shared between two people. On top of that, the prices are more than affordable for the quality and quantity of the food you get.
I would highly recommend getting the truffle and chicken pasta, as well as any pizza on the menu. For a meal and a drink, you’ll pay from 15-25 euros per person. What you see in the photo is half of one shared meal!
SUBMARINE – €€
If you love burgers, Submarine is a MUST for you. Submarine is a Croatian chain specializing in burgers, and they are incredible at what they do. Their focus is on fresh and locally sourced food, which makes their burgers absolutely delicious. There are several locations all over Zagreb, but the ones near the city center are On Tkalciceva Street, Frankopanska Street, and on Cvjetni Square.
Some of the menu items I would highly recommend would be the Original Burger, French Burger, Truffle Grana Padano fries, and their Submarine Caesar salad. For a burger, fries, and a drink, you’ll pay around 20 euros per person.
LA STRUK – €
If you want to try one of Croatian traditional foods, make sure you make a stop at La Struk. La Struk specializes in making strukli, a type of baked or boiled pastry filled with a creamy mixture, usually fresh cottage cheese. This dish can be served in both savory and sweet variations, and both options are available at La Struk. You’ll find La Struk in the city center – in Skalinska Street, right off Tkalciceva Street.
I would highly recommend getting the traditional baked strukli with cottage cheese, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try one of the sweet options such as blueberry or honey walnut! For a generous portion of strukli and a drink, you’ll need around 10-12 euros!
BOOGIE LAB – €€
If you want an excellent brunch option, Boogie Lab is one of the most popular brunch spots in Zagreb. Not only are their restaurants aesthetically pleasing, but the food is great (and gorgeous!), and the atmosphere will make you want to return asap! They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinners as well, but their brunches are their specialty. You’ll find them at Kneza Borne Street near Sheraton hotel.
Try their eggs Benedict, omelette with shrimps, or a classic chocolate croissant. You’ll need from 15 to 25 euros for a complete meal with a drink at Boogie Lab!
FETIS BISTRO – €€
If you’re looking for another great brunch spot (although they also serve lunch), check out Fetis Bistro. It’s a fully gluten-free restaurant, so if you have any dietary restrictions, you’ll likely find something that suits you perfectly.
We really enjoy going there for brunch, though it is a bit pricey for what you get. That said, considering it’s completely gluten-free and uses high-quality ingredients, it makes sense.
It’s located about a 15-minute walk from the main square in Zagreb, so it’s still very central. The space is quite small, which can make it tricky to get a table at times, but I definitely think it’s worth checking out!
SILK – €€
Silk is an Asian Fusion restaurant in Zagreb’s city centre, and it’s worth visiting if you like Asian food. It’s located near Cvjetni Square, and it’s a gorgeous restaurant with great quality food. They offer various dishes, from Pad Thai to sushi. Both locals and tourists really love this one!
I really enjoyed Asian style fried chicken, but there are several dishes to choose from! You’ll need 20-30 euros per person for a meal and a drink here.
SOL TAPAS – €€€
If you’re looking for something traditional but really unique, SOL Tapas is the right place for you! It’s located right on the main square of Ban Josip Jelacic, and at this restaurant you can try various Croatian dishes often prepared with unique twists. The restaurant uses the concept of “tapas”, where you can get various dishes and share them with whoever you’re coming with. The interior is stunning, and during summer you can eat on the terrace.
I would recommend ordering the tasting menu, that way you can try several dishes, including desserts. If you’re up for it, you can pair it up with some incredible wine the restaurant offers. You will definitely need around 40 to 50 euros per person if you’re really planning to indulge yourself!
FICLEK – €€
For more traditional food visit Ficlek restaurant. It’s a traditional Croatian restaurant known for its focus on authentic, old-school local cuisine. It’s located in the city center, only a few meters from the Zagreb Cathedral. This restaurant is loved by both locals and tourists because it serves hearty, home-style meals as if you’re eating at someone’s home. If you ever wondered how a Croatian dinner made by someone’s grandma would taste, this is the closest you’ll get!
For those who are visiting, I would recommend getting the classic Zagreb dishes like strukli or purica s mlincima (the best Croatian meal!!!). You can also try various stews which are the core of Croatian cuisine. You’ll need from 20 to 30 euros per person for a meal and a drink!
COWBOY WESTERN RANCH – €€
If you want the full experience, you need to visit Cowboy Western Ranch Markusevec. It’s a bit outside of Zagreb, so you’ll need a car to get there, but it’s absolutely worth it.
This is more than just a restaurant, it’s a place where you can easily spend the whole day. The concept is inspired by American ranches, which you’ll notice both in the exterior design and on the menu. You can even go horseback riding, and there are plenty of animals around, which makes the whole experience feel very unique.
Unfortunately, we visited during winter, so I didn’t get to fully experience everything it offers. Still, we had an incredible lunch and the food was amazing. I had the Texas Goulash, and it was honestly the best I’ve ever had! Their burgers and ribs are excellent as well, and they offer a wide selection of steaks if that’s more your style. You’ll need 20-30 euros per person for lunch here. By the way, one portion of goulash can easily feed two people!
CARPACCIO – €€€
If you’re into very fancy Italian restaurants, Carpaccio could be the perfect dining experience for you! Carpaccio is one of the top fine dining Italian restaurants in Zagreb. They are known for their authentic Italian dishes made with high-quality ingredients. It’s situated in the city center, only a few meters from Cvjetni Square. Carpaccio is known for classic Italian dishes, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, pasta, and of course, their signature carpaccio (thinly sliced raw meat or fish).
Some of the best dishes they offer are risotto, tagliatelle, and homemade gnocchi, but basically anything you get at Carpaccio is going to be absolutely delicious. As this is a fine dining experience, you’ll definitely need 50+ euros per person for a meal and a drink!
DUKSA – €
Duksa is a popular pizzeria in Zagreb, known for its high-quality, wood-fired pizzas and relaxed atmosphere. Locals often name it as one of the best places to enjoy pizza in the city, so if you’re a pizza enthusiast, definitely give it a try. There are a few of them in the city, but the most central one is situated in Tkalciceva street.
I would highly recommend any of their pizzas, since they are really delicious. You’ll need around 15 to 20 euros per person for a pizza and a drink!
MATSU – €€
Matsu is another great Asian fusion restaurant with really good Asian food. There are two locations in Zagreb, one in Sv. Duh and one in Novi Zagreb. Neither is right in the city centre, so depending on where you’re staying, they might be nearby or you can easily grab an Uber to get there.
I really enjoyed everything I tried there, from dumplings and chicken skewers with rice to the matcha dessert. It’s not overly expensive either, you can expect to spend around €15–30 per person for a meal, depending on what you order.
PIZZERIA PARK – €
Pizzeria Park is one of my favourite pizza places in Zagreb. Not only is it stunningly decorated (especially during Christmas), it has really excellent pizzas, which are all named after Croatia’s famous parks. It’s located in Marticeva Street, around 15 minutes from the city center.
I love pizzas Maksimir and Ribnjak, and you’ll need around 20 euros for a pizza and a drink!
DIDOV SAN – €€
Didov San is a popular traditional restaurant in Zagreb. This restaurant is perfect for anyone who enjoys traditional, home-style cooking, based on recipes passed down through generations. The menu focuses on local Croatian cuisine, with dishes such as grilled meats, seafood, and various Croatian specialties. I would recommend getting one of the specialties such as pašticada, ćevapi, or pršut (Croatian prosciutto).
NOKTURNO – €
Nokturno is one of the best restaurants you can visit in the city center if you’re on a budget. It’s a modern restaurant with loads of different types of food on the menu. The food is great and you’ll literally pay peanuts for the meal. You’ll find it in Skalinska Street, only a couple of doors from La Struk. In Nokturno, I would recommend pizzas, pastas, and lasagna. You’ll need around 15 euros for a meal and a drink!
EL GRECO – €
If you like Greek food, El Greco on Tkalciceva Street should make your list. This Greek restaurant has amazing Greek food for really affordable prices. It doesn’t have loads of tables so you might have to wait a bit, or you can grab your food to go. My favourite thing to get is gyros, of course. You can get a meal and a drink from 10 euros upwards!
MY PERSONAL TAKE ON ZAGREB RESTAURANTS
These are all fantastic restaurants, and depending on your budget and what you’re in the mood for, you’ll easily find at least a few that you’ll love. If you’re visiting for the first time, I’d highly recommend checking out La Struk, Ficlek, and SOL Tapas.
All three focus on Croatian cuisine, so you’ll get to try something traditional while still enjoying creative, modern, and absolutely delicious dishes.
CONCLUSION: ZAGREB RESTAURANTS
Restaurants in Zagreb truly offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for traditional Croatian dishes, modern fusion cuisine, casual street food, or a full dining experience, Zagreb has it all. While Zagreb can feel expensive at times, it’s still more affordable than many Western European capitals and with a bit of planning, you can eat very well without overspending!
Helpful resources for planning your Croatia trip 🇭🇷
• Find your accommodation on Booking.com, Expedia.com or Hotels.com, depending on your budget and preferences
• Rent your car with DiscoverCars
• Buy your ferry tickets at Jadrolinija, TP Line, or Krilo
• Find your public transport options on Omio
• Get your e-Sim from SimLocal
• Grab your tours and entrance tickets at GetYourGuide, Viator, or Tiqets
This is a mouth-watering list! Noktorno has been a good ol’ standby for my family for the past two decades. We eat there whenever we’re in Zagreb. It looks like there are many other great restaurants to try as well! The Zagreb dining seen has evolved so much over the years.