Zagreb's food scene is a genuine mix of Austro-Hungarian Central Europe, Balkan tradition, and Adriatic coastal influence. Štrukli — a baked cheese pastry — is the city's signature dish, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and Dolac market is the beating heart of local food culture every morning. Zagreb cooks take pride in local ingredients and flavours that need no dressing up.
#1 Štrukli
Zagreb's emblematic dish, listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Thin pastry wraps a filling of fresh cheese, egg, and sour cream, then the parcel is either baked or boiled and served hot. Both savoury and sweet versions (dusted with powdered sugar) exist. The flavour is mellow — soft melting cheese, a lightly crisp exterior — and it has been eaten in Zagreb for centuries. You'll find it across every neighbourhood and every price bracket. If you try only one dish in Zagreb, make it Štrukli.
- La Štruk on Skalinska Street in the old town specialises exclusively in Štrukli, with more than 15 styles on the menu at 4–7 euros a plate.
- Order both the baked version (zapečeni) and the boiled version (kuhani) to compare — baked is the local favourite in Zagreb.
- The sweet Štrukli works as a dessert or breakfast alongside coffee — don't miss the strawberry version when it's in season.
#2 Zagrebački odrezak
Zagreb's own main-course icon, similar to Cordon Bleu but with a local identity that the city takes seriously. Thin pork escalope is pounded flat, stuffed with local cheese and smoked ham, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden. The inside is tender and juicy; the outside is crisp. Served with roasted potatoes or salad, it's priced accessibly and available at every level of restaurant. Travellers tend to order it again before leaving Croatia.
- Choose a restaurant that fries each schnitzel to order rather than preparing them in advance — ask the staff directly whether it's cooked fresh.
- Portions are generous by Central European standards; two people can share one, or order a salad on the side.
- It pairs very well with Croatian white wine — Graševina is widely available in Zagreb.
#3 Ćevapi
A street-food staple with roots in Balkan and Ottoman tradition. Minced beef or lamb is seasoned with garlic and spices, shaped into small cylinders, and grilled over charcoal until the outside is crisp and smoky. Served inside a soft lepinja flatbread with ajvar (roasted red pepper sauce) and raw onion, the flavour is bold and smoky. It's an inexpensive dish locals eat as a snack or a late-night meal — available around the clock.
- Try Ćevapi made with a beef-lamb mix rather than pure beef; the flavour is notably better — ask the restaurant what meat they use.
- Ajvar, the red pepper sauce that comes with it, is the star condiment — pile it on generously. It's not spicy, just sweet and deeply savoury.
- An authentic Ćevabdžinica is usually small and unassuming, with locals eating standing up — that's a good sign.
#4 Sarma
A slow-braised main course at the heart of Croatian home cooking, particularly during winter and the festive season. Pickled cabbage leaves (kiseli kupus) are wrapped around a filling of minced meat, rice, and spices, then slow-cooked for hours in a tomato and herb sauce. The cabbage absorbs a gentle sourness from the pickling that plays against the richness of the meat. Served hot with rustic bread or polenta, it's genuinely warming in cold weather — locals say it's the dish they miss most when they're away from home.
- Sarma improves with reheating — a restaurant that made it yesterday will serve a deeper, more developed flavour than one made that morning.
- It's served with sour cream (kiselo vrhnje) on top, which is the Croatian way — spoon some on before eating.
- Easiest to find October–March, though many traditional restaurants serve it year-round.
#5 Kobasice and Smoked Meats
Croatia has a rich regional tradition of sausages and smoked meats. In Zagreb you'll find Kobasice (garlic-smoked pork sausage), Kulen (paprika sausage from Slavonia), and various air-dried meats. Dolac market is the best place to buy directly from producers — many stalls source from family farms just outside the city, and the difference from supermarket versions is striking.
- Try Kulen, Croatia's most celebrated red paprika sausage from Slavonia — mildly spicy with a strong paprika aroma.
- Tasting before buying is standard at Dolac market; most vendors are happy to offer a sample and explain where their products come from.
- Vacuum-packed smoked meats travel well as gifts, but check customs rules for your home country before buying.
#6 Croatian Wine and Gemišt
Croatia has more than 2,500 years of winemaking history and is earning increasing international recognition. White Graševina from Slavonia and Malvazija from Istria are the reliable entry points; red Plavac Mali from Dalmatia is full and bold. The local signature drink is Gemišt — white wine topped up with sparkling water — which Zagreb residents drink in the late afternoon and early evening. It's refreshing, lower in alcohol, and a good way to try Croatian wine without committing to a full glass.
- A good vinoteka in Zagreb will let you taste before you buy — ask for a chilled Graševina to start.
- Gemišt goes well with food or with simply sitting at a pavement café; the flavour is similar to a Central European Spritz and costs less than a full glass of wine.
- Croatian wine is good value in supermarkets — bottles range from 5 to 15 euros, considerably less than you'd pay at home.
Where to stay in Zagreb for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Zagreb — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Le Premier Boutique Hotel
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Amadria Park Hotel Capital Heritage Zagreb
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Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
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Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre
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Tours, tickets & activities in Zagreb
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Zagreb — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Zagreb's best restaurants are often tucked into narrow lanes in the old town or Donji Grad, the kind of places locals return to week after week. Don't miss sitting down for a coffee at a pavement table in the špica style — that unhurried mid-morning ritual is as much a part of eating in Zagreb as any dish on this list.