Zagreb is a vibrant city located in the northern part of Croatia. Visually a charming mixture of Austro-Hungarian architecture and rough socialists areas, the city carries modern energy with plenty of old charm and graciousness. It is simply made for strolling the streets, drinking coffee, popping into museums and galleries, enjoying gourmet food and some fine local vine! We’ve asked a couple of our local friends to sum up favourite places they love spending time at. In this city guide you will find the list they’ve come up with combined with selection of our own favourite addresses. Discover the city’s hippest hotels, coolest restaurants, most interesting cultural spaces and of course the best in local design – all utopiast approved!
Where to stay?
photo: Hotel Livris
Livris Hotel
Livris is urban design hotel, located in the business district of the city, just a few minutes away from the main avenues and the city center. Its modern rooms combine functionality, harmony and elegance and offer perfect comfort in more peaceful surrounding.
The Loop Hotel tastefully combines modern, industrial design with the carefully refurbished furniture from the 1960s that gives the rooms warm, human touch. After a busy day of sightseeing, shopping or business obligations hotel staff relax in The Loop bar – the ideal place to rest and meet new people.
Located in the bustling Tkalčićeva Street, Otto & Frank serves delicious morning options such as fried eggs with bacon, oatmeal with apple and cinnamon, Nutella and banana French toast that will undoubtedly brighten up your morning. We highly recommend you to try their signature dish, the modern Zagreb breakfast – softly poached eggs served with grilled ham, accompanied by horseradish infused cottage cheese, sour cream, radicchio and spring onions.
Located just across the National Theatre, the Hemingway Bar & Bistrot with charming 1930’s stylish interior and a sophisticated atmosphere is a perfect place to spend the morning. Breakfast menu includes options like omelettes, toast sandwiches and, in the true spirit of Paris, croissants, accompanied by a great selection of hot and cold drinks.
Phone number: +385 98 384 284 Address: Trg Maršala Tita 1, Zagreb Website: http://bistro.hr/
photo: Bistroteka
Bistroteka
Bistroteka is a chic place with fresh, crisp deco, serving up international breakfast favourites like oatmeal with different extras, granola with fruit, toast, eggs, smoothies and other healthy classics. Fine crafted breakfasts and brunches are served until 11 a.m. during weekdays, until 12.30 p.m. on weekends, and followed by lunch and dinner menu throughout the day.
La Štruk is one of a kind little restaurant that serves a great variety of traditional Croatian speciality and a delicious comfort food, Zagorski štrukli. Big plus: their quiet garden terrace is a great place to slowly start your day.
Phone number: +385 1 4837 701 Address: Skalinska Ulica 5, Zagreb Website: https://www.facebook.com/La-Štruk-1423984021186239/
… for lunch or dinner?
photo: Time Restaurant&Bar
Time Restaurant & Bar
Located in the heart of Zagreb, Time Restaurant & Bar is contemporary, urban restaurant offering Asian cuisine with a modern twist. Its beautiful interior is set in what used to be big warehouse and hardware store and converted into an amazing space by the well-known Croatian architect, Kristijan Rendulić.
Close to the city center but a bit tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city hides one of the nicest restaurants in Zagreb, opened by renowned Croatian chef Andrej Barbieri. Perfect place to order a full meal (great Mediterranean food and wine) or just have a snack and a glass of wine or cocktail (wink, wink) in a cosy, but aesthetically very pleasing interior.
Phone number: +385 1 6446 502 Address: Ul. Ivana Tkalčića 90 Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbieris/371473046562094?nr
photo: Bistro Apetit
Bistro Apetit
Hidden in a hedged garden on a tranquil residential street, Bistro Apetit mixes the best of Croatian/Adriatic cuisine with the contemporary European mainstream dishes. The menu consist of a small selection of imaginative dishes tailored to the season and some truly outstanding desserts.
Noel is a buzzing new restaurant run by renowned participants of Zagreb’s gastronomic scene – chef Goran Kočiš and sommelier Ivan Jug. The menu mixes the best of Croatian cuisine with European experimentation, and is served as daily lunches or the more lavish and layered dinners of five, seven, or nine courses, as well as separate dishes from their 16-meal à la carte menu.
Velvet is a lavish place, eclectically decorated by its co-owner Saša Šekoranja, the renowned artist and florist. Apart from extraordinary interior, treat yourself with a tasty coffee, freshly made juices, toasts and their own made cakes and pies while observing the pace of Dežmanova street.
Botaničar is a mix of café, art gallery and culture venue, situated only a few minutes from the Botanical Gardens and slightly hidden from the main tourist attractions. Worth the visit during the day or at night, this café is a great place to enjoy your coffee while reading the book and visit one of the book launches or poetry nights they organize regularly.
Phone number:/ Address: Trg Marka Marulića 6 Website: https://www.facebook.com/BotanicarZagreb/
After dark
photo: Dežman Bar
Dežman Bar
Dežman Bar is only one of the great places, hidden on Dežmanova – Zagreb’s most hip passage with great fast food joints and cafes. Bar’s menu displays a delightful balance of local and international entries, long list of cocktails, Croatian beers, snacks and gluten free pastries.
Pločnik is Zagreb’s latest drinking den, well worth the walk from the city centre, with it’s cool interior, decent craft-beer and wine selection and late-night music sessions. We suggest you to visit their ground floor to chat and socialize or their basement for a proper DJ experience. The music programme is diverse, with everything from roots and reggae to hip hop and acoustic.
A Most Unusual Garden is an amazing place with a great atmosphere that can be enjoyed in a lush bohemian style garden or at their tree house turned café. The place offers one of the best selections of gins and cocktails in the city, served with the magical experience of art and freedom of imagination.
Built in 1924, Kino Europa is the oldest still-functioning cinema in Zagreb, but also the place to enjoy grappa, beer or excellent wine in their café that spills from the spacious lobby to a glass-enclosed atrium with outdoor terrace. DJ nights fill the foyer following the final film screenings on Friday and Saturday, with DJs spinning an eclectic mix of rock, pop and retro-disco.
Forego your standard morning routine and experience the life of locals at Zagreb’s central open-air market – Dolac. Located just north of the main square (Trg Bana Jelačića) and visited by hundreds of people every day, the market is an inseparable part of the city since the 1930s. Farmers and traders from all over Croatia come here to offer the locally produced honey, fruits, vegetables, meat and flowers, every day from 6.30 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Address: Dolac 9
Visit Museum of Broken Relationships
One of the most unique venues to visit in Zagreb, Museum of Broken Relationships, will definitely peak your interest and take you on a trip down memory lane. This quirky museum displays uncommon mementos of past lovers donated from all over the globe and tells the universal tales of love and break-up. Hundreds of personal belongings and heartbreaking stories first toured the world until the exhibition settled in Zagreb in its permanent home. Check out also the lovely museum store – the ‘bad memories eraser’ is a bestseller.
Address: Ćirilometodska 2
Take a break at Botanical Gardens
Take a break from museums and galleries for a moment and visit an island of tranquility, Zagreb Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1889 and populated with over 10,000 plant species mainly from Croatia, the place is an idyllic spot to walk down its pathways or rest on a shaded bench. Once you are already there don’t forget to check also Botaničar – a mix of art gallery, café and culture venue, situated only a few minutes from the gardens.
Address: Trg Marka Marulića 9A
Visit Lauba
Lauba is a privately owned contemporary art gallery, located in impressive building that once served as the weaving mill. Since its opening in 2011, it has become a creative place and exhibition space for many Croatian and international contemporary artists. Although it’s located off the main tourist sites, Lauba is an interesting place to visit for its large private collection of works by modern and postmodern Croatian artists and its various arts-related events.
Address: Baruna Filipovića 23A
Take “The Secrets of Grič” night tour
The interactive theater night tour of Zagreb shows the history and legends of Zagreb through the eyes of Marija Jurić Zagorka, the first female journalist in Croatia and one of the most popular Croatian writers of all time. The tour takes place on Saturday evening, from May to September, its meeting point is the crossing of Ilica and Mesnička street, by the statue of Andrija Kačić Miošić.
DevelopmentDesignMarketing Ljubljana is the true charmer of a city. Easily walkable, with striking historical heritage and vibrant outdoor eating and coffee culture. We've asked a couple of our local friends to sum up their favourite places they love spending time at. In this guide you will find the list they've come up with combined with [...]
Budapest is a stunning city, divided in two by the majestic river Danube. Buda with its romantic streets and Ottoman-era thermal baths radiates calm and peace, while Pest is vibrant and lively, rich in cultural and historical treasures. We've asked a couple of our local friends to sum up their favourite places they love spending [...]
City Escape: Zagreb
Zagreb is a vibrant city located in the northern part of Croatia. Visually a charming mixture of Austro-Hungarian architecture and rough socialists areas, the city carries modern energy with plenty of old charm and graciousness. It is simply made for strolling the streets, drinking coffee, popping into museums and galleries, enjoying gourmet food and some fine local vine! We’ve asked a couple of our local friends to sum up favourite places they love spending time at. In this city guide you will find the list they’ve come up with combined with selection of our own favourite addresses. Discover the city’s hippest hotels, coolest restaurants, most interesting cultural spaces and of course the best in local design – all utopiast approved!
Where to stay?
photo: Hotel Livris
Livris Hotel
Livris is urban design hotel, located in the business district of the city, just a few minutes away from the main avenues and the city center. Its modern rooms combine functionality, harmony and elegance and offer perfect comfort in more peaceful surrounding.
Phone number: +385 1 6465 115
Address: Rapska 12
Website: http://www.livrishotel.com
photo: The Loop Hotel
The Loop Hotel
The Loop Hotel tastefully combines modern, industrial design with the carefully refurbished furniture from the 1960s that gives the rooms warm, human touch. After a busy day of sightseeing, shopping or business obligations hotel staff relax in The Loop bar – the ideal place to rest and meet new people.
Phone number: +385 1 4093 430
Address: Župančićeva 18
Website: http://www.theloophotel.eu
What to eat…
… for brunch?
photo: Otto&Frank
Otto&Frank
Located in the bustling Tkalčićeva Street, Otto & Frank serves delicious morning options such as fried eggs with bacon, oatmeal with apple and cinnamon, Nutella and banana French toast that will undoubtedly brighten up your morning. We highly recommend you to try their signature dish, the modern Zagreb breakfast – softly poached eggs served with grilled ham, accompanied by horseradish infused cottage cheese, sour cream, radicchio and spring onions.
Phone number:+385 1 4824 288
Address: Tkalčićeva 20, Zagreb
Website: https://www.otto-frank.com/
photo: Hemingway Bar & Bistrot
Hemingway Bar & Bistrot
Located just across the National Theatre, the Hemingway Bar & Bistrot with charming 1930’s stylish interior and a sophisticated atmosphere is a perfect place to spend the morning. Breakfast menu includes options like omelettes, toast sandwiches and, in the true spirit of Paris, croissants, accompanied by a great selection of hot and cold drinks.
Phone number: +385 98 384 284
Address: Trg Maršala Tita 1, Zagreb
Website: http://bistro.hr/
photo: Bistroteka
Bistroteka
Bistroteka is a chic place with fresh, crisp deco, serving up international breakfast favourites like oatmeal with different extras, granola with fruit, toast, eggs, smoothies and other healthy classics. Fine crafted breakfasts and brunches are served until 11 a.m. during weekdays, until 12.30 p.m. on weekends, and followed by lunch and dinner menu throughout the day.
Phone number: +385 1 4837 711
Address: Nikole Tesle 14, Zagreb, Croatia
Website: http://bistroteka.hr/
photo: La Štruk
La Štruk
La Štruk is one of a kind little restaurant that serves a great variety of traditional Croatian speciality and a delicious comfort food, Zagorski štrukli. Big plus: their quiet garden terrace is a great place to slowly start your day.
Phone number: +385 1 4837 701
Address: Skalinska Ulica 5, Zagreb
Website: https://www.facebook.com/La-Štruk-1423984021186239/
… for lunch or dinner?
photo: Time Restaurant&Bar
Time Restaurant & Bar
Located in the heart of Zagreb, Time Restaurant & Bar is contemporary, urban restaurant offering Asian cuisine with a modern twist. Its beautiful interior is set in what used to be big warehouse and hardware store and converted into an amazing space by the well-known Croatian architect, Kristijan Rendulić.
Phone number: +385 1 3333 660
Address: Petrinjska 7, Zagreb
Website: https://www.timerestaurant.hr/
photo: Barbieri’s
Barbieri’s
Close to the city center but a bit tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city hides one of the nicest restaurants in Zagreb, opened by renowned Croatian chef Andrej Barbieri. Perfect place to order a full meal (great Mediterranean food and wine) or just have a snack and a glass of wine or cocktail (wink, wink) in a cosy, but aesthetically very pleasing interior.
Phone number: +385 1 6446 502
Address: Ul. Ivana Tkalčića 90
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbieris/371473046562094?nr
photo: Bistro Apetit
Bistro Apetit
Hidden in a hedged garden on a tranquil residential street, Bistro Apetit mixes the best of Croatian/Adriatic cuisine with the contemporary European mainstream dishes. The menu consist of a small selection of imaginative dishes tailored to the season and some truly outstanding desserts.
Phone number: +385 1 467 7335
Address: Jurjevska 65
Website: https://bistroapetit.com/en/
photo: Noel
Noel
Noel is a buzzing new restaurant run by renowned participants of Zagreb’s gastronomic scene – chef Goran Kočiš and sommelier Ivan Jug. The menu mixes the best of Croatian cuisine with European experimentation, and is served as daily lunches or the more lavish and layered dinners of five, seven, or nine courses, as well as separate dishes from their 16-meal à la carte menu.
Phone number: +385 1 4844 297
Address: Ulica popa Dukljanina 1
Website: http://www.noel.hr/
Coffee time!
photo: Velvet
Velvet
Velvet is a lavish place, eclectically decorated by its co-owner Saša Šekoranja, the renowned artist and florist. Apart from extraordinary interior, treat yourself with a tasty coffee, freshly made juices, toasts and their own made cakes and pies while observing the pace of Dežmanova street.
Phone number: +385 1 4846 743
Address: Dežmanova ulica 9
Website: http://www.velvet.hr/caffe.html
photo: Botaničar
Botaničar
Botaničar is a mix of café, art gallery and culture venue, situated only a few minutes from the Botanical Gardens and slightly hidden from the main tourist attractions. Worth the visit during the day or at night, this café is a great place to enjoy your coffee while reading the book and visit one of the book launches or poetry nights they organize regularly.
Phone number:/
Address: Trg Marka Marulića 6
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BotanicarZagreb/
After dark
photo: Dežman Bar
Dežman Bar
Dežman Bar is only one of the great places, hidden on Dežmanova – Zagreb’s most hip passage with great fast food joints and cafes. Bar’s menu displays a delightful balance of local and international entries, long list of cocktails, Croatian beers, snacks and gluten free pastries.
Phone number: +385 1 4846 160
Address: Dežmanova ul. 3
Website: http://www.dezman.hr/
photo: Pločnik
Pločnik
Pločnik is Zagreb’s latest drinking den, well worth the walk from the city centre, with it’s cool interior, decent craft-beer and wine selection and late-night music sessions. We suggest you to visit their ground floor to chat and socialize or their basement for a proper DJ experience. The music programme is diverse, with everything from roots and reggae to hip hop and acoustic.
Phone number: +385 91 430 0733
Address: Medjimurska Ulica 21
Website: https://www.facebook.com/plocnikzg/
photo: The Most Unusual Garden
A Most Unusual Garden
A Most Unusual Garden is an amazing place with a great atmosphere that can be enjoyed in a lush bohemian style garden or at their tree house turned café. The place offers one of the best selections of gins and cocktails in the city, served with the magical experience of art and freedom of imagination.
Phone number +385 91 464 6900
Address: Horvaćanska 3
Website: https://www.facebook.com/amostunusualgingarden/
photo: Kino Europa
Kino Europa
Built in 1924, Kino Europa is the oldest still-functioning cinema in Zagreb, but also the place to enjoy grappa, beer or excellent wine in their café that spills from the spacious lobby to a glass-enclosed atrium with outdoor terrace. DJ nights fill the foyer following the final film screenings on Friday and Saturday, with DJs spinning an eclectic mix of rock, pop and retro-disco.
Phone number:+385 01 48 72 888
Address: Varšavska 3
Website: http://www.kinoeuropa.hr/cafe/
Our Favourite Things to Do in Zagreb
Start the day at Dolac Market
Forego your standard morning routine and experience the life of locals at Zagreb’s central open-air market – Dolac. Located just north of the main square (Trg Bana Jelačića) and visited by hundreds of people every day, the market is an inseparable part of the city since the 1930s. Farmers and traders from all over Croatia come here to offer the locally produced honey, fruits, vegetables, meat and flowers, every day from 6.30 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Address: Dolac 9
Visit Museum of Broken Relationships
One of the most unique venues to visit in Zagreb, Museum of Broken Relationships, will definitely peak your interest and take you on a trip down memory lane. This quirky museum displays uncommon mementos of past lovers donated from all over the globe and tells the universal tales of love and break-up. Hundreds of personal belongings and heartbreaking stories first toured the world until the exhibition settled in Zagreb in its permanent home. Check out also the lovely museum store – the ‘bad memories eraser’ is a bestseller.
Address: Ćirilometodska 2
Take a break at Botanical Gardens
Take a break from museums and galleries for a moment and visit an island of tranquility, Zagreb Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1889 and populated with over 10,000 plant species mainly from Croatia, the place is an idyllic spot to walk down its pathways or rest on a shaded bench. Once you are already there don’t forget to check also Botaničar – a mix of art gallery, café and culture venue, situated only a few minutes from the gardens.
Address: Trg Marka Marulića 9A
Visit Lauba
Lauba is a privately owned contemporary art gallery, located in impressive building that once served as the weaving mill. Since its opening in 2011, it has become a creative place and exhibition space for many Croatian and international contemporary artists. Although it’s located off the main tourist sites, Lauba is an interesting place to visit for its large private collection of works by modern and postmodern Croatian artists and its various arts-related events.
Address: Baruna Filipovića 23A
Take “The Secrets of Grič” night tour
The interactive theater night tour of Zagreb shows the history and legends of Zagreb through the eyes of Marija Jurić Zagorka, the first female journalist in Croatia and one of the most popular Croatian writers of all time. The tour takes place on Saturday evening, from May to September, its meeting point is the crossing of Ilica and Mesnička street, by the statue of Andrija Kačić Miošić.
Website: http://www.tajnegrica.hr/
Share this:
Related Posts
City Escape: Ljubljana
Share this:
City Escape: Budapest
Share this: