November the 20th, 2025 – Advent Zagreb is fast approaching, and that means only one thing – the wildly popular Fooling Around by Fuliranje is back!
There’s also been a brand new bistro concept presented, it involves unique collaborations between trendy bistros and bars, as well as the most popular club programmes. All in all, it is set to bring in some truly irresistible energy and set new trends in Zagreb this year.
At the relaxed Fooling Around gathering, guests had a preview of the offer and programme that will transform the Oleander Terrace of the Esplanade Hotel into a fantastic after work location in the city this year.
On November the 19th at the Esplanade 1925 Lobby & Cocktail Bar, the organisers – the Kokoš ili jaje agency, the MPG agency and the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb – all came together and presented details of their offer and the programme of this year’s Fooling Around by Fuliranje. It was revealed for the first time that from November the 26th, 2025 to January the 1st, 2026, the Oleander Terrace will once again be transformed into the home of the festive Orient Express. The novelty for 2025 is that each of the nine carriages will be connected by one restaurant and one bar.
At the presentation, all guests, along with media representatives and content creators, had the opportunity to experience and taste this year’s bistro concept of Fooling Around by Fuliranje, which will offer Zagreb casual but well-thought-out cuisine with an emphasis placed on quality ingredients and creative combinations of flavours. This year’s edition combines the most popular creations of young talents of the bistro scene with the famous classics of top chefs, creating a modern and inspiring gastronomic fusion that will, without a doubt, be one of the most special in the entire city.
setting new trends for fooling around in zagreb
This year’s rich gluten-free and vegan offer will be a particular delight, and in addition to the gathering of the most creative mixologists, visiting bars from Zadar, Hvar and even Belgrade have also been announced. This year, the Oleander terrace will host two of the most popular club programmes on the scene – RNB Confusion and FRKU – along with Latin dance workshops and bubbly brunches at weekends. The guests were therefore able to experience the unique mix’n’match vibe brought by original collaborations between popular restaurants and bars an entire week before the actual event began. They also got to indulge in the energy of the best (afternoon) party of Advent Zagreb 2025.
cocktails, twists on classics and much more
The presentation featured crispy salmon sticks and prosciutto croquettes by chef Ana Grgić Tomić, along with Esplanade’s famous štrukli and chocolate mousse with spices, created solely for the Esplanade wagon house by Mirjana Špoljar, head pastry chef. Alongside them, Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar, led by Vjenceslav Madić, served an unexpected cocktail twist through a pre-tasting of warm, aromatic cocktails designed as the perfect accompaniment to these winter snacks.
This year’s star cocktail is definitely The Štrukli Affair, a fine drink that combines yogurt liqueur and salted caramel, fresh pear juice and a touch of gin, with a crunchy Parmesan disc, creating an unexpectedly warm and velvety combination inspired by Esplanade’s famous štrukli. For a slightly more exotic note, there’s also the Esplanade Punch, which brings about the aromas of coconut, banana, apple and cinnamon in a warm tropical-winter harmony.
this year’s festive menu is a tempting one, starting with noel*
After last year’s premiere at Fooling Around by Fuliranje, Noel* presented its signature menu in a funky festive format this winter, maintaining the standard of its Michelin-starred name. Chef Ivan Temšić will bring traditional ingredients in unexpected techniques and formats this year, with hot and cold cocktails made and served by the excellent Noel* bartenders. The presentation featured croquettes with smoked bacon, sauerkraut, homemade pickles, spring onion mayonnaise and sour cream, while visitors to Fooling Around in Zagreb this year also free to enjoy Arancini (roasted turkey, aioli, rosehip gel, chilli oil) and Porchetta burger (brioche bun, roasted pork roll, cottage cheese, roasted peppers, honey, mustard).
peti kupe x bora winery
The Peti Kupe x Bora Winery wagon is also absolutely packed with delicious food, excellent wine and the best atmosphere possible. Toni Mortadella, Gianna Parmigiana and a range of already well-known gourmet sandwiches based on classic Italian delicacies are coming to the Oleander terrace. Daily dishes such as Homemade Lasagna and Pinsa Zagreb will also be on offer, and this gastronomic experience will be rounded off by pairing with selected wines and oils from the Bora winery. Along with great music, the mood in this wagon will also be further enhanced by the presence of famous restaurants with their various dishes.
biomania
An excellent novelty on the Advent Zagreb gastronomic scene this year is BioMania, which will offer exclusively vegan, organic and gluten-free dishes, not to mention organic wines. After tasting their Sarma burger (rice paper stuffed with sauerkraut, smoked tofu and spices), we’re understandably eagerly awaiting the other delicacies on offer: Arancini with truffles, BioMania Winter Soup (a rich soup made of red lentils, sweet potatoes and carrots with coconut milk), Pumpkin Burek, Red Curry Bowl and Arancino Sweet (rice with coconut shaped into a ball, filled with hazelnut cream and chocolate, with a crispy crust of gluten-free breadcrumbs).
debeli dabar
This year, Debeli Dabar will be making its debut at Fooling Around by Fuliranje in Zagreb in collaboration with Urania bar. This interesting and trendy combination brings with it comfort street food by Otto Grundman, inspired by local flavours and festive traditions. We tried their legendary picek in a pastry that imitates traditional Croatian mlinci, finished with chicken fat and stock. The pastry is filled with smoked pulled chicken, lightly seasoned with red cabbage, kimchi mayonnaise and crispy onions. Kobaja with sauerkraut will also be offered, it comes served in a flat bun instead of a hot dog bun, spread with smoked mayonnaise, served with sauerkraut and crispy onions.
urania bar
The talented Urania bar team are in charge of the drinks, they’ll be bringing a selection of cocktails inspired by architecture and cinema. The cocktail menu is designed to combine fun, visually and deliciously layered cocktails, with the addition of a warm seasonal drink specially created for this little house. The focus will be on craft execution that remains accessible and unpretentious.
soho sushi and koi bar
The next irresistible duo is SoHo Sushi and KOi Bar, who together bring an explosion of Japanese flavours and drinks. We tried the SoHo Handmade Shrimp Balls, and their Tempura Shrimp, Spring Rolls, intriguing Spicy Squid and the beloved classic Chicken Karaage will provide additional crunch and richness of flavour at Fooling Around this year. Along with the ultimate Sushi Christmas Box, which comes with four types of sushi ideal for sharing, these snacks are a real must-try for anyone looking for a touch of exoticism on a chilly festive stroll through the city.
They will be accompanied by the KOi Cocktail Bar of the esteemed bartender Marin Karinja, whose European experience guarantees the masterful execution of each cocktail. The name “KOi” is inspired by the Japanese fish that symbolises luck and prosperity, which creates an interesting link with sushi. The cocktail list brings a carefully measured balance of winter spices and distant aromas. Their offer of cold cocktails include the Dark & Spicy with Bacardi Spiced rum and ginger and the floral Sakura Spritz, while for the more adventurous, there is the Spiced Daiquiri Shot with winter spices. When the temperature drops, KOi will warm up the atmosphere with warm cocktails like the Hot & Spicy with dark rum and butter, the aromatic “mulled wine” version of the Sakura Spritz or the Pimento Pear with William wine, ginger and honey.
melt and ginglebells
Melt and Ginglebells will bring a special vibe to Fooling Around by Fuliranje this year through their best combinations of flavours and atmosphere. Melt will delight all who try it with its festive brunch and sweet creations, among which we tasted the excellent Christmas Crumble (warm apple crumble with vanilla and cinnamon) at the launch. Ginglebells will once again lure the crowds with their amazing hot and cold cocktails, including their legendary mulled gin and festive, winter versions of their favourite drinks.
acrobat svijet vina
The Oleander terrace is also home to Acrobat Svijet Vina, which, as the exclusive distributor of KOBE products, will delight with authentic flavours throughout this festive season. Visitors will be able to enjoy Kobe steaks, burgers and pizzas with Kobe meat, as well as carefully selected wine labels including Ornellaia, Billecart-Salmon, Philipponnat, Bastianich and Juve & Camps.
Mate Janković’s institute za kobasice (sausages)
There can be no Advent Zagreb (or anywhere else) without sausages, and the best ones are coming to the Oleander terrace from the Mate Janković Sausage Institute. This year, he will delight the crowds with the best Debrecen, Carniolan and a number of other signature sausages served in an irresistibly soft brioche bun with masterful sauces and toppings signed by this famous Croatian chef.
mixologists and drinks made by seasoned experts at central station
This year, multiple interesting novelties directed by the excellent bartender and mixologist Filip Lipnik are on the cards. For Fooling Around this year, he’s announced the arrival of four hot cocktail variants that will warm you up on even the coldest days. Two hot chocolates with alcohol will provide a real Christmas atmosphere, and two well-known classics will be on offer in a “twist” performance. The central booth will also host Colona Bar from Zadar, Kultura Bar from Belgrade, and Lola Bar from Hvar.
Gdje je Jura x Mono by Klepić Juraj
Central Station will also host Croatia’s most famous pastry chef, responsible for last year’s “Dubai fever”. Make sure you run, don’t just walk, to the Oleander terrace because that’s where Gdje je Jura x Mono by Klepić Juraj will be.
music, entertainment and festive cheer
The rhythm of Fooling Around by Fuliranje in Zagreb will bring a new after work mood every day for this season, including acoustic performances on Tuesdays, Latino dance sessions with professional dance teachers on Wednesdays, R’n’B Confusion on Fridays, and the cult FRKA programme with local urban music on Saturdays.
With plenty of guest appearances, surprises, a party programme dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Esplanade Hotel, an unforgettable Christmas Eve and the best New Year’s Eve party, this year’s Fooling Around will perfectly combine all of the most important ingredients a festive atmosphere requires: excellent music, creative snacks, signature cocktails and an infectious energy.
“In honour of 100 years of the Esplanade, we’ll create moments that will be remembered and become part of the city’s story, while the Oleander terrace will remain an unmissable stop,” say the organisers.
Make sure to follow Fooling Around by Fuliranje’s Instagram and Facebook profiles for daily news, schedules and surprises.
Location: Oleander Terrace of the Esplanade Hotel, Zagreb
Duration: November the 26th, 2025 to January the 1st, 2026
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 12:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 23:00
Christmas: 17:00 – 24:00
St Stephen’s Day: 12:00 – 24:00
New Year’s Eve: 12:00 – 21:00
