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. Keep reading for some great restaurant recommendations from a local!
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, so you can find all types of cuisines suited to all kinds of budgets. Overall, I would say Zagreb is more affordable than many Western European capitals in most aspects, and food is one of them.
Obviously, it’s different if you want a quick, street food bite or a 3-course meal at one of the finest restaurants in the city, but most restaurants are reasonably priced, and even if you pay a bigger sum for your dinner, you can be sure that the quality of the food will be well worth it!
read more >>> 20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ZAGREB
BEST ZAGREB RESTAURANTS YOU MUST TRY:
BATAK – €
If you want to feel right at home, visit Batak Grill. Batak is a Croatian restaurant brand specializing in what Croatians eat the most – excellent meat dishes. They offer more or less all meat classics – quality rib-eye steak, burgers, BBQ ribs, and wings. What’s special is that here you can try some specifically Balkan/Croatian dishes such as ćevapi or čobanac. You can find Batak on Cvjetni Square or in Tkalčićeva Street.
I would highly recommend you try ćevapi or čobanac if you’re someone who likes trying traditional dishes. If not, their platters and burgers are excellent! You’ll need around 15-25 euros per person for a meal and a drink!
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 the best 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.
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 Tkalčićeva 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 Štruk. La Štruk 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 Štruk. You’ll find La Štruk in the city center – in Skalinska Street, right off Tkalčićeva 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!
SQUARE ONE – €€
Square One is an amazing brunch place, if you’re a fan of brunches. Their brunches are usually open from 10 to 2 p.m., and you can get all the typical brunch meals such as eggs, avocado toast, salad and acai bowls and so on. Their specialty is that they often have bottomless Mimosas for around 7 euros, which is a great deal! It’s situated at Trg Zrtava Fasizma, not far from the city center.
I always get their eggs Benedict and bottomless Mimosas, and for a meal like that you’ll need around 20 euros.
BOOGIE LAB – €€
If you want another 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 Park Knezeva.
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!
SILK – €€
Silk is an Asian Fusion restaurant in Zagreb’s city center, 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 Jelačić, 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 štrukli 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!
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 Tkalčićeva 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!
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, and not only is the food delicious, you’ll literally pay peanuts for the meal. You’ll find it in Skalinska Street, only a couple of doors from La Štruk.
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 Tkalčićeva 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!
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.