Quick answers — eating in Zagreb
- Best restaurant overall
- Nebo
- Best value
- Batak Grill (€25-€40 / $27-$45)
- Strongest cuisines
- Modern European, Italian, Steak & grill, Japanese
- Dishes to try
- Štrukli, Zagrebački Odrezak, Pašticada, Čevapi
- Booking window
- For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online reservation systems are common for convenience.
Booking is essential for fine dining, often weeks in advance for starred establishments. Dress codes are typically smart casual to elegant. Tipping around 10-15% is customary for excellent service. Dinner hours usually begin at 7:00 PM, with kitchens closing around 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM.
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Zagreb
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Nebo
One MICHELIN StarModern Croatian · Donji Grad (Hilton Garden Inn) · €120-€180 / $130-$200
Deniz Zembo
Nebo, led by Deniz Zembo, offers a modern Croatian tasting experience with stunning views from the Hilton Garden Inn rooftop. The cuisine is innovative, focusing on local ingredients transformed through creative techniques, often with a subtle Asian influence. It's a journey through Croatia's culinary landscape.
Order: Istrian beef tartare, Adriatic fish dishes
Zinfandel's
MICHELIN SelectedModern European · Donji Grad (Esplanade Zagreb Hotel) · €80-€120 / $90-$130
Ana Grgić Tomić
Located in the historic Esplanade Hotel, Zinfandel's offers a grand dining experience with a touch of old-world glamour. Chef Ana Grgić Tomić crafts dishes that are both classic and contemporary, using premium ingredients to create elegant, flavorful plates. The opulent setting is perfect for special occasions.
Order: Esplanade štrukli (cheese pastry), classic beef Wellington
Restoran Balon
MICHELIN SelectedModern Croatian · Jarun · €70-€100 / $75-$110
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Balon offers a sophisticated yet relaxed dining atmosphere, known for its creative interpretations of Croatian and Mediterranean cuisine. With an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, dishes are beautifully presented and full of nuanced flavors. The spacious, elegant room provides a comfortable fine-dining experience away from the city center.
Order: Duck breast with fruit sauces, fresh seafood
Mali Bar
Bib GourmandModern European · Medveščak · €40-€60 / $45-$65
Ana Ugarković
Mali Bar, a charming bistro, is celebrated for its inventive small plates that blend global influences with local ingredients. Chef Ana Ugarković's cuisine is vibrant, flavorful, and constantly evolving, offering a dynamic dining experience in a cozy, unpretentious setting. It's a favorite for casual yet refined meals.
Order: Daily changing tapas, creative pasta dishes
Haustor Haus
Bib GourmandModern Croatian · Donji Grad · €45-€70 / $50-$75
Matija Zagorec
Haustor Haus offers a modern take on Croatian comfort food in a stylish, welcoming setting. The menu features seasonal ingredients and creative preparations, balancing traditional flavors with contemporary flair. It's a relaxed bistro atmosphere, perfect for enjoying well-executed dishes with friends or family.
Order: Pork belly, seasonal gnocchi
Pod Zidom Bistro & Wine Bar
MICHELIN SelectedModern European · Gornji Grad · €50-€80 / $55-$90
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Nestled beneath the historical walls of the Upper Town, Pod Zidom offers a vibrant bistro experience with a strong focus on local, seasonal ingredients. The menu is refined and creative, complemented by an extensive wine list featuring Croatian labels. It’s a sophisticated spot for both casual lunches and elegant dinners.
Order: Istrian pasta dishes, creatively prepared fish
ManO
MICHELIN SelectedModern Croatian · Donji Grad · €70-€100 / $75-$110
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ManO presents a contemporary dining experience with a focus on high-quality ingredients, often prepared in an open kitchen setting. The restaurant offers a sleek, modern ambiance, and its menu explores Croatian culinary traditions with a sophisticated, global twist. Expect elegant presentations and bold flavors.
Order: Dry-aged beef, creative seafood appetizers
Italian
Best Italian restaurants in Zagreb
Italian kitchens abroad split into two camps: the classic trattoria doing pasta, fish and a short wine list, and the modern dining rooms treating Italian produce with tasting-menu precision.
Agli Amici
One MICHELIN StarModern Italian · Donji Grad (Le Premier Hotel) · €100-€150 / $110-$170
Emanuele Scarello
Nestled within Hotel Le Premier, Agli Amici brings the refined flavours of Friuli Venezia Giulia to Zagreb. Chef Emanuele Scarello masterfully reinterprets Italian classics with elegance and precision, focusing on pristine ingredients. The intimate setting complements a sophisticated and memorable dining experience.
Order: Risotto with seasonal ingredients, seafood preparations
Steak & grill
Best steak and grill restaurants in Zagreb
Grill rooms are about sourcing and fire: ask where the beef comes from, how long it was aged, and order one cut to share rather than two on separate plates.
Batak Grill
Bib GourmandTraditional Croatian (Grill) · Multiple locations (e.g., Savica) · €25-€40 / $27-$45
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Batak Grill is a local institution synonymous with exceptional grilled meats, offering a taste of authentic Croatian barbecue. The focus is on quality ingredients, particularly various cuts of ćevapi and other grilled specialties, prepared simply but expertly. It's a lively and convivial spot for hearty, flavorful meals.
Order: Ćevapi u lepinji, pljeskavica sa kajmakom
Japanese
Best Japanese restaurants in Zagreb
Japanese rooms range from counter omakase, where you eat whatever the chef cut that morning, to kaiseki menus built around the season. Counters are small — book early and arrive on time.
Takenoko
MICHELIN SelectedJapanese · Donji Grad · €60-€90 / $65-$100
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Takenoko stands out as a premier Japanese restaurant in Zagreb, renowned for its fresh sushi, sashimi, and sophisticated hot dishes. The interior is chic and minimalist, providing an authentic yet modern Japanese dining atmosphere. It's an excellent choice for lovers of refined Asian cuisine.
Order: Dragon roll, black cod with miso
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Zagreb
La Štruk
Specializing in štrukli, a traditional Croatian baked or boiled pastry with various sweet or savory fillings. A must-try is the classic cheese štrukli. Expect to pay around €5-€8 per portion.
Dolac Market
Zagreb's vibrant open-air market offers fresh produce, cheeses, and cured meats. Grab a burek from a nearby pekara or fresh fruit for a true local experience. Meals cost around €3-€10.
Burger Bar
Known for its gourmet burgers made with high-quality Croatian beef and fresh toppings. It's a popular spot for a quick, satisfying and flavorful meal in a casual setting. Burgers range from €8-€12.
Curry Bowl
Serving authentic Sri Lankan curries, rotis, and hoppers in a laid-back environment. It's a fantastic option for flavorful, aromatic, and budget-friendly Asian cuisine. Main dishes are typically €7-€13.
Pizza O'Hara
Acclaimed for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, baked in a wood-fired oven. The dough is perfectly chewy, and toppings are fresh and classic. A great value for high-quality pizza, around €9-€15 per pizza.
Local dishes
What to eat in Zagreb
Štrukli
A traditional Croatian baked or boiled pastry, commonly filled with cottage cheese. It can be savory or sweet, often served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. La Štruk is a dedicated restaurant serving many variations, from classic cheese to blueberry, providing a truly authentic taste of Zagorje cuisine.
Zagrebački Odrezak
Zagreb's famous version of a schnitzel, a breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet, typically stuffed with ham and cheese. It's a hearty and satisfying dish, often served with potatoes or rice. This iconic dish showcases the city's Central European culinary influences, delivering rich flavors and comforting textures.
Pašticada
A traditional Dalmatian slow-cooked beef stew, marinated for days and simmered in a rich sauce with prunes, bacon, and red wine. It's usually served with homemade gnocchi. Though originating from Dalmatia, it's a beloved Croatian classic found in good restaurants across Zagreb, celebrated for its complex, deep flavors.
Čevapi
Grilled minced meat sausages, typically a mix of beef and lamb, served in a flatbread (lepinja) with chopped onions and ajvar (red pepper relish). A staple of Balkan cuisine, it's a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish, perfect for a casual meal. Kosta is a renowned spot for authentic, juicy čevapi.
Punjena Paprika
Bell peppers stuffed with a mixture of minced meat and rice, simmered in a savory tomato sauce. This comforting dish is a popular homemade meal and can be found in many traditional Croatian restaurants. It's a warm, hearty, and flavorful option, especially during cooler months.
Grah
A robust and warming bean stew, often prepared with smoked meat like sausage or bacon. It's a humble yet incredibly satisfying dish, popular throughout Croatia, particularly in colder weather. Many traditional eateries and 'pivnicas' (breweries) serve excellent versions, perfect with a side of fresh bread.
Kremšnita
A beloved Croatian dessert, particularly popular in Zagreb. It consists of a delicate puff pastry base, generously topped with a thick, creamy vanilla custard, and then covered with another thin layer of puff pastry, often dusted with powdered sugar. It's light, sweet, and utterly delightful.
Peka
A traditional Croatian cooking method and the dish prepared using it. Meat (often lamb, veal, or octopus) and vegetables are slow-cooked under a bell-shaped lid (peka) covered with hot embers. This method results in incredibly tender and flavorful food, typically found in konobas and often requires advance ordering.
How to book a table in Zagreb
- · For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online reservation systems are common for convenience.
- · Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for larger parties or tasting menus to prevent no-shows.
- · Consider lunch menus at top restaurants; they often offer a more affordable way to experience the chef's cuisine, sometimes for half the dinner price.
- · Be mindful of cancellation policies, typically 24-72 hours prior to the reservation, to avoid charges. Confirm dietary restrictions when booking.
FAQ
Zagreb restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Zagreb?
Nebo in Donji Grad (Hilton Garden Inn) is the benchmark table — Modern Croatian, led by Deniz Zembo, one michelin star, around €120-€180 / $130-$200 per person. Order the Istrian beef tartare, Adriatic fish dishes
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Zagreb?
Nebo in Donji Grad (Hilton Garden Inn) is the modern European table to book in Zagreb (€120-€180 / $130-$200 per person). Other strong options: Zinfandel's, Restoran Balon, Mali Bar.
Where is the best Italian restaurant in Zagreb?
Agli Amici in Donji Grad (Le Premier Hotel) is the Italian table to book in Zagreb (€100-€150 / $110-$170 per person).
Where is the best steak and grill restaurant in Zagreb?
Batak Grill in Multiple locations (e.g., Savica) is the steak and grill table to book in Zagreb (€25-€40 / $27-$45 per person).
Where is the best Japanese restaurant in Zagreb?
Takenoko in Donji Grad is the Japanese table to book in Zagreb (€60-€90 / $65-$100 per person).
Where can I eat well in Zagreb without spending a fortune?
Batak Grill is the best-value table on this list at roughly €25-€40 / $27-$45 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to La Štruk, Dolac Market, Burger Bar.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Zagreb?
For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online reservation systems are common for convenience. Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for larger parties or tasting menus to prevent no-shows.
What food is Zagreb famous for?
Štrukli, Zagrebački Odrezak, Pašticada, Čevapi, Punjena Paprika — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. A traditional Croatian baked or boiled pastry, commonly filled with cottage cheese. It can be savory or sweet, often served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. La Štruk is a dedicated restaurant serving many variations, from classic cheese to blueberry, providing a truly authentic taste of Zagorje cuisine.
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