April the 30th, 2025 – The Croatian capital has made quite the name for itself on the global tourism stage over the last few years, but did you know it also packs a punch when it comes to beverages? Meet Zagreb, a cocktail capital worth indulging in a glass (or three) of.
Croatia’s bustling capital has become known for many things over the past decade or so. It finally broke out of being little more than the city with the airport in the country with that glorious coastline. It’s now very much a destination in its own right, and there’s plenty to celebrate about it. We’ve delved into Strange Zagreb, the city that once held witch trials and lived in fear of the dreaded Black Queen. We’ve also tapped into its romantic side, looked at why it’s the ideal city break, and more.
Perhaps the closest we’ve come to exploring Zagreb the cocktail capital is a peek into its incredibly impressive craft beer scene. In this article, we’ll see what it is exactly that makes this quirky European city so special when it comes to those most fancy of drinks.
zagreb, the cocktail capital gaining global recognition
If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a particular niche somewhere abroad, wanted to avoid the same old, same old, and had no clue where to begin, the World’s 50 Best Discovery list is probably nestled somewhere in your browser history. This website showcases the best locales that haven’t been doused in over-saturation, and three Croatian bars made the list.
We’ll turn our attention to the Zagreb-based Peaches&Cream located on Krapinska ulica (street) in the busy Tresnjevka area of the city. Its listing on this prestigious ranking is a first for a Croatian bar or other such facility. Alongside two bars from Split, Peaches&Cream grabbed the attention of judges from World’s Best 50 who had been coming to Croatia for a considerable amount of time previously, making its listing even more significant.
peaches&cream, a zagreb cocktail lover’s dream
“Not every peach tastes the same” they state from Peaches&Cream, offering an intriguing introduction into the liquid creations the talented hands who work there make. Their cocktail offer is something you’d be rather surprised to find in the capital city of a nation famed for its rakija and indeed its wine. Classic, signature, Mocktails and even entirely bespoke cocktails are all served at Peaches&Cream, who state that they enjoy pushing the boundaries and experiment when it comes to cocktails. This innovative Zagreb bar likes to implement twists, turns and new techniques, all while using only the best ingredients.
a pioneer since 2023
Peaches&Cream became a pioneer back in 2023 as the very first Paloma Embassy in Croatia. This pet friendly location encourages you to bring your furry pal (be they a dog, cat, or even hamster) and indulge in their cocktails or mocktails while watching old cartoons, hunting mice (no, really) and much more. From classics like Negronis and Mojitos to something totally different, this Zagreb locale won’t disappoint.
Their menu will pique the curiosity of all cocktail and mocktail lovers set to spend any amount of time here in the Croatian capital.
there’s more to zagreb, the blossoming cocktail capital than that…
Peaches&Cream has become somewhat of a cult location, but it’s far from the only place serving something unique. Locations like Mr. Fogg, Roots Bar, Vintage Industrial Bar, Dezman Bar, Yakuza Bar, Blend Bar and Landsky are also fantastic places to sample some of Zagreb’s best cocktails. Then of course, we come to perhaps the location of all locations – the gorgeous Esplanade 1925 Lounge and Cocktail Bar.
esplanade 1925 lounge and cocktail bar – home of the city’s best mixologists
Sitting here and sipping a colourful creation will transport you right back to the roaring 20’s. The 1920’s, that is, thankfully not the coronavirus 20’s. This stunning art deco bar is like something from a film, and it’s the workplace of some of the best mixologists not only in the city, but the entire country.
Superior ingredients, extremely knowledgeable mixologists and cocktail bartenders, all while in a truly unique atmosphere. Few places could be more perfect for sipping a blended cocktail than here. We should probably add the fact that these drinks are all named after legendary Orient Express stations. We don’t know about you, but throwing Agatha Christie into the mix (no pun intended) sold us on the Esplanade instantly.
zagreb is a mix of everything, and that includes its bar scene
This city is absolutely full of hidden gems, and if we spent time delving into each of them, this article would become a book in its own right. It doesn’t matter which corner you happen to turn down in this city, whether it leads you into a suddenly quiet, leafy courtyard or an old alleyway, you’re bound to be greeted by something positively surprising. The same goes for its bar scene. Delicious cocktails can be enjoyed in some of the most unexpected locations.
We’ve named some of the absolute best, and highlighted the Zagreb bar to have made its way onto a ranking that isn’t easy to break into, at all. If you’re a cocktail fan, then this up and coming capital has you covered.
