Foodie’s Guide to the Best Zagreb Restaurants

If you are visiting Zagreb, Croatia, and wondering where to eat, here is our list of the best restaurants in Zagreb!

In this Zagreb Restaurants Guide, we take you on a culinary journey through Zagreb’s vibrant food scene, from traditional dishes to international cuisine.

Our list of 12 incredible Zagreb restaurants

Here is the list of our favorite Zagreb restaurants, some are already established landmarks when it comes to eating out in Zagreb, while others are exciting upstarts everybody wants to try out.

For bistro-style dining, head to Lari i Penati, Rougemarin, Mali Bar, Pod Zidom or Obrok. They all serve extraordinary local and international dishes based on fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Visit Mano2, Nav, and TheAtrium by Filho for modern, and creative dishes, and a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Soi and Takenonko are our go-to places in Zagreb for Asian food, Carpaccio serves yummy Italian food, while Tac is famed for hearty Istrian dishes.

1. RougeMarin

RougeMarin is one of our favorite restaurants in Zagreb. In fact, whenever we are in Zagreb, we end up eating in Rougemarin. Rougemarin is located on Folnegoviceva Street, not far from Zagreb’s business district around Radnicka Cesta. This makes it a very popular lunch spot during the week.

Housed in a former light bulb factory, the restaurant keeps a rough industrial look with an unobstructed view over the kitchen. The outdoor terrace is huge, partly shaded, and breezy – a perfect place to eat on a hot summer day. However, make sure you have a reservation, especially for lunchtime.

And the food? The food in RougeMarin is sublime. The menu changes monthly, with some classics always remaining on the menu. From Tuesday through Friday, they also offer a couple of daily dishes that aren’t on the menu. We personally love their spring rolls, risotto, burgers, wok, and lemon pie.

You can also visit Rougemarin City – a “younger brother” with a little bit different concept and food offer. Located in Petrinjska 2, it’s open from 9 am to 11 pm every day except on Sunday.

Contacts: Ulica Frana Folnegovica 10, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6187 776

2. Mali Bar

Hidden in a small courtyard off Vlaska Street, Mali Bar is another of our all-time favorite Zagreb restaurants. Fresh and seasonal ingredients, innovative dishes, a great choice of Croatian wine by the glass, affordable prices, and good vibes make Mali Bar one of the locals’ favorite restaurants in Zagreb.

The interior is small and they have a lovely rooftop terrace for dining al fresco. From pea soup in spring, fresh salads in summer, great steaks, smoked duck bruschettas, and even simple fish and chips, everything tastes great at Mali Bar. The menu changes daily!

Contacts: Vlaska 63, Zagreb | t: +385 1 5531 014

3. Takenoko

We love eating out in the Takenoko. The first Japanese restaurant that opened in Croatia in 2002, Takenoko, along with Tekka, has always been and still is a synonym for the best Japanese and Asian fusion food you can have in Zagreb.

Fantastic location just around the corner from the main square, elegant interiors, exciting sushi, and Asian fusion dishes, amazing wines, fine champagnes, signature cocktails, and an extensive whiskey library make the Time a favorite hangout for young professionals. But also for anybody who likes good food.

Don’t miss their spring rolls, crunchy gyozas, as well as sushi. Sit at the bar and watch sushi masters prepare your favorite rolls right in front of you. Recently Takenoko has also added various ceviches to its menu.

Contacts: Masarykova 22, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6463 385

4. ManO2

ManO2 is run by popular Croatian chef, Hrvoje Kroflin. Hrvoje worked for a long time in a sister restaurant ManO, located downtown. However, in 2012 he moved to the ManO2 located in the Zagreb business district, in the Green Gold shopping center.

First of all, ManO2 is perhaps the nicest-designed restaurant in Zagreb. The light wood dominates the interior from the floors to the curved wooden ceiling making the place feel cozy and comfy.

The food is simply outstanding. From starters like beef tartar or king crab salad to yummy charcoal-grilled Swiss chard pie (soparnik), and black Agnus steaks, ManO2’s menu isn’t extensive but it’s very assorted. ManO2 also offers 5- and 7-course menus that can be wine-paired.

Contacts: Radnicka cesta 50, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6430 535

5. Nav

When the chef Tvrtko Sokota decided to open Nav back in 2019 nobody doubted it would soon turn into one of the most exciting places to eat in Zagreb.

Tvrtko is one of the best and most popular chefs in Croatia, and he has been a driving force behind many great restaurant ventures in the last few years, like Mundoaka, RougeMarin, Xato, and Brokenships.

However, Nav is his first independent venture, where he is an owner, chef, and manager, all in one. Nav serves modern Croatian cuisine. Nav is a tiny place with only 5 tables. At lunch, you have a choice between a 5- and 7-course tasting menu, and at dinner time, they only serve a 10- or 12-course tasting menu. The service is personalized and each course is presented by the chef himself. Expect to pay around 120€ per person, but it’s worth every cent.

Contacts: Masarykova Ulica 11/1, Zagreb | t: +385 1 2029 961

6. Pod zidom

Located in the heart of the old town, Pod Zidom is a beautifully decorated, small upscale bistro with a place for maybe 30 people.

The menu changes seasonally (and sometimes daily), and they also offer a choice of tapas to nibble with wine. The wine list is extensive, and almost all the wines can be ordered by the glass (Yay!).

Make sure you taste their beef cheeks, so tender and yummy!

Contacts: Pod zidom 5, Zagreb | t: +385 99 325 3600

7. O’brok

Opened five years ago, this restaurant became quite popular among locals. All meals are carefully prepared from the beginning regardless are we talking about homemade štrukli, pasta, or bread.  Besides the great food, the ambiance is very nice and the staff is super friendly. You can simply relax and enjoy.

The menu offers different types of meals – from cold appetizers like a chicken pate with truffles to popular pasticada, a typical Dalmatian meal (baby beef’s fake fillet marinated in wine vinegar for days, and then braised for hours). Do not skip the desert. We tried apple pie and were amazed – the cake/apples were fresh and not too sweet. A perfect choice after a hearty meal!

Contacts: Josipa Langa 6, Zagreb | t: +385 1 7000 355

8. Soi

The menu at Soi is short, not more than 10 dishes, but it features some of the tastiest Asian fusion street food you can find in Zagreb. Whether you are after good ramen, green curry, katsu or satay chicken, tuna poke, or pork gyoza, Soi will blow your mind.

Soi is located within the popular Swanky Mint Hostel.

Contacts: Ilica 50, Zagreb | +385 91 916 2101

9. Carpaccio

Carpaccio is definitely one of the most popular restaurants in Zagreb. As its name suggests, it serves Italian food. Guests love it for its fresh, top-quality ingredients, seasonal menu, excellent execution of Italian dishes, great wine list, and cozy atmosphere of an old Italian tavern.

Carpaccio is always consistently good with very professional and friendly staff, and reasonable prices. It’s not surprising that the restaurant is always full. Make sure to make a reservation if you decide to eat there.

Contacts: Teslina 14, Zagreb | t: +385 1 4822 331 | Reviews

10. Lari & Penati

The restaurant Lari & Penati is a tiny restaurant located on Petrinjska Street. It has a nice streetside terrace. The menu changes daily, and sometimes it can feel limited.

However, the food is fresh and tasty. Good choice of Croatian wines by the glass. There is small parking next to the restaurant (a big plus considering the scarce parking places downtown). The staff is friendly. We enjoyed our lunch there.

Contacts: Petrinjska 42a, Zagreb | t: +385 1 4655 776

11. Restaurant Tac

Located in the middle of Zagreb’s residential area, the restaurant Tac, one of the best Zagreb restaurants, is located far from the main touristy routes. The restaurant serves traditional Croatian food prepared to perfection and sourced from the best local producers. A friend of mine, who is a passionate foodie, claims that he’s eaten the best meal of his life at the restaurant Tac. The interior is rustic, and the atmosphere is laid back.

Contacts: Vrhovec 140, Zagreb | t: 385 1 3776 757

12. TheAtrium By Filho

The newest addition to the Zagreb restaurant scene, TheAtrium By Filho opened back in October 2019. Run by young but already well-known and established chef, Filip Horvat, TheAtrium inspires to showcase the best of Croatian produce (all produce is local, except, well, caviar), and reinvented traditional Croatian recipes.

As its name and location (it’s located next to the Zagreb Youth Theater) suggest, the theater theme is omnipresent making eating here a playful experience. The menu isn’t the menu anymore, but rather a daytime and nighttime show with proper acts, prologs, epilogs, and culmination. Some might find it pretentious, but we find it fun.

But, what’s most important, the food here is excellent.

Contacts: Teslina 7, Zagreb | t: +385 99 584 4652

Best restaurants in Zagreb map

Have you tried out any of these Zagreb restaurants? Do you have another restaurant in Zagreb to recommend? Let us know in the comments below.