My first evening in Zagreb, seated at one of the hightops at Gostionica Ficlek, I realized that I was in for a treat. Instead of nervously scanning menus to try and figure out if: a I could safely eat at a restaurant, and b would I like what I could eat there, I felt set free. This menu was my, well. Eating and drinking in Zagreb delighted me. Planning your own culinary adventure in Zagreb? Grab my planning guide and be sure to get my guide to Zagreb, coming out very soon!
Zagreb is a great city for solo travelers, and its cuisine is not to be missed. Without further ado, here are my recommendations for eating in Zagreb.
My first night in Zagreb, exhausted after my overnight stopover in Zadar en route from Split, I headed out in search of food and a little sightseeing. Breads with a lardo, topped with smoked salt and a whipped pumpkin butter began the meal. I could have eaten both with a spoon, but I restrained myself. It being autumn, I started with a pumpkin appetizer. A salad of shaved fresh pumpkin, herbs, and pumpkin seeds topped a slice of roast pumpkin with fresh cheese.
Pumpkin puree, cream, and pumpkin oil a great souvenir from this part of Croatia finished the dish. I still dream about it.
So simple and so incredibly well executed. On the recommendation of my server, I ordered the braised beef cheeks and dumplings. Tart pomegranate arils complemented the rich meat, served with cream dumplings topped with criped chicken skin, served atop a soubise.
