November the 8th, 2024 – Zagreb attracts the crowds for plenty of reasons, from history to culture to its proximity to plenty of places across Europe, but that’s far from all. The Zagreb gastro scene is booming, and the Croatian capital has everything from old markets selling local produce to festivals and a vibrant culinary offer.
Most people visiting Zagreb end up orienting themselves from the main square, nestled right in the heart of the city, and through which the main artery, Ilica, passes through. Blue trams snake by as they disperse around the city, and streets and old alleys lead off like a network of small veins, sometimes to surprising locations on the Zagreb gastro scene.
dolac market
One of the first iconic proverbial “members” of the Zagreb gastro scene is the much loved Dolac market. Situated atop some steps which lead you off the main square into Gornji Grad (Upper Town), it leads you to a very old area of the city, close to Kaptol and Gradec.
Once there, an expanse of stands selling seasonal fruit and vegetables stretches out before you. They are occupied by sellers from the countryside around Zagreb and beyond arriving with boxes upon boxes of colourful produce from their own fields and trees. In the heat of the summer, parasols, reminiscent of Šestine umbrellas, provide shade under a sea of bright red.
Dolac market is a historic firm favourite among Zagreb residents and has been since 1930. It’s also must visit for everyone who wants to experience part of the capital’s old soul. There is also a large indoor market which you have to cross the outdoor one to reach. Inside, fresh fish, meat, cheese and much more is sold. In amongst the sea of umbrellas and stands, a statue of a peasant woman carrying a basket of produce on her head stands firm. We’d confidently say that a visit to Dolac market is a fantastic first step into an unchanged part of the Zagreb gastro scene.
Dolac might be the most famous, but it’s far from the only farmer’s market of this kind in Zagreb. Kvatrić market and Trešnjevka market are two other very popular ones among residents.
place market – bringing night markets back to life
This is a very interesting national project hoping to breathe life back into night markets, which used to be commonplace. Imagine an interesting night market with catering and entertainment thrown in?
If we understand the fact that for many cities, including Zagreb, markets have always been known as the belly of the city, then we can begin to understand why this will provide plenty of enrichment. Once per week in the evening, the markets become a natural stage where the Zagreb gastro scene and and offer is presented, thus revitalising markets as places to get together and socialise.
From farm to table, or in this case from field to street food, is the guiding thread of the project in which the most well known Croatian chefs are involved. PLACe market encompasses several segments of the tourist offer – cultural, gastronomic, wine and entertainment. It also presents a wide scrope of Croatian traditions and emphasises the connection between these old markets and tourism service stakeholders, all while spotlighting it for tourists and locals alike.
Naturally, we’re focusing on the Zagreb gastro scene here, but this project is nationwide. PLACe market helps preserve the authenticity of each and every varied Croatian gastronomic region, branding Zagreb and Croatia as a gastronomic tourist destination. It belongs to the global category of “night markets” that exist all over the world, which combine local products, local producers, local food, local culture, souvenirs and local street entertainers and performers.
zagreb food tours
Zagreb has never particularly stood out on the map of gastro destinations, but we’re seeing how that is finally set to change. This city has seen a hordes of different people, cultures and changes of hand over the centuries, and with each of them – something edible has been added to the Zagreb gastro scene. Why not celebrate that? There are plenty of Zagreb food tours to choose from, all of which offer a slightly different angle to foodies from across the world.
Aside from tours, there are even workshops which will provide you with all of the knowledge you’ll need to make some iconic Croatian dishes, as well as those completely local to the Zagreb area.
Mouth watering yet? Have a browse…
zagreb’s blossoming international cuisine scene
If you were to ask us a few years ago if anywhere in Croatia would be seeing restaurants offering international cuisine popping up, we’d have said no. Times have changed rapidly and now Zagreb offers plenty of international options alongside classic Croatian cuisine.
Zagreb is now home to restaurants serving Lebanese, Greek, Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Bosnian, Mexican, Nepalese, African, Latin American, Thai, Japanese and more. There are also twists on Croatian classics and plenty of street food options.
In addition to the culinary tour around the world you can take in the bustling Croatian capital, there are also a wide array of options available for those with dietary requirements and limitations, such as gluten free options, vegetarian and vegan food.
zagreb food festivals
Naturally, a city wanting to showcase the emphasis it puts on the palate wouldn’t be complete without food festivals. Zagreb has become synonymous with festivals over more recent years, celebrating everything from culture to the incredible craft beer scene. Food festivals in the capital are numerous, and all we can say is that we hope you’ll leave enough room to visit each.
We’d be here forever if we listed them all, so we’ll name a few widely popular ones. The first of which absolutely has to be the Zagreb Burger Festival.
zagreb burger festival
This festival takes place in the city each year and celebrates burgers with all kinds of twists. From classics that we all know and love to very interesting takes created by innovative and creative chefs from up and down the country, the Zagreb Burger Festival spotlights it all. Couple mouthwatering burgers with delicious homemade cocktail creations and a great entertainment programme and you’ve got something special indeed.
advent in zagreb
Next up we have the capital’s award winning Advent in Zagreb event. This event is naturally about Christmas and the festive season, but there is a massive emphasis placed on good food. Festive classics are served at little cottages (kucice in Croatian) throughout the city, and everything can be enjoyed, from hearty Slavonian sausages and shots of rakija to warm you up, to Thai food and zingy cocktails.
Advent in Zagreb spills out into many city squares and streets, turning Zagreb into an enchanting winter wonderland to fill both the soul and the stomach. We can’t wait for Advent in Zagreb 2024, and we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t about the food!
the food truck festival
Originally held at Jarun lake, this year this popular festival was held at the marketplace on Britanski trg (British square), affectionately known as “Britanac”. The much loved Food Truck Festival is always a hit among locals and visitors alike and showcases the best street food from Croatia and the immediate region, all expertly made by top chefs.
These are just a few of the larger food festivals which take place across the Croatian capital, boosting the Zagreb gastro scene and successfully positioning it on the foodie map worldwide.
the zagreb gastro scene is putting the croatian capital on the foodie map
As we stated before, Zagreb has stood out for many things, but never exactly for its food. This city is transforming and altering, taking on a brand new character to please taste buds worldwide.
