Zagreb One Day Travel and Food Guide

The advice I often get when I say I am going to Zagreb is to leave Zagreb and visit Split or Dubrovnik. When the Dalmatian coast exists, boasting its natural beauty, fresh wines, and food - it's hard to disagree. But Zagreb has had a hold on me, and it's not a typical capital city in its expanse or worldly ways. It's its own thing, brimming with culture, art, and collective regional gastronomy from all over the country. So try to carve out a day or do to experience this Zagreb food and travel guide. This single-day itinerary will optimize your time and help you choose where to eat fantastic food Croatia's capital city.

Start Your Day with Coffee

Cafe culture runs deep through Zagreb, and there is much to explore. I recommend either Monocycle, a specialty coffee house. A second trendier option is Mr. Fogg, a steampunk-themed cafe with an extensive coffee list in the daytime and creative cocktails at night.

Zagreb has many attractions within a small radius. For example, the fine arts building is steps away from Monocycle, where you can easily spend your morning musing at the various paintings and installments. Another option nearby is Ban Jelačić Square, the city's main square. It is also an appropriate place to people watch and be seen.

Keep walking north to discover the farmer's market pavilion to see what souvenirs you can pick up. Or marvel at the grandness of Zagreb cathedral. 

Where to Eat Lunch in Zagreb

You won't be short on options of where to eat in Zagreb once you're in the heart of the city, but I'm partial to La Štruk. The quaint restaurant gets its name after a traditional cheese-layered dish from the region of Zagorje. At La Štruk, they serve a wide variety of humble and tasty cottage cheese dishes along with some innovative takes, such as their chocolate special. This popular food in Zagreb is probably most enjoyed at home but you can try a slice of comfort at this restaurant!

Go up, Then Underground

Party on a Plateau

After lunch, move on to Plato Gradec, a place with one of the most highly regarded views of the city. Here you can get a 180 degrees view of the city. This location is a dedicated space for seasonal festivals, such as a beer garden in the summer months. Baš Naš Advent was in full swing when I visited, which I like to describe as a Christmas market party as you've never seen before. The plateau for the season featured impressive two-story gourmet food and drink markets (as with other seasonal festivals) offering holiday specialties. There are installments for photo ops and a DJ set up on a two-story bar so everyone on the plateau can see the entertainment.

Look at Art in a Tunnel

Another advantage of going to Plato Gradec is that it is located at the end of interconnected walkways that also lead to the Grič tunnel. Walk through the Strossmayer promenade to check out quirky art, and stop at park Bele to see the current exhibit. Keep heading west as the path moves down to the entrance of the Grič tunnel.

This tunnel, which connects all the other city tunnels, served as shelter to civilians during the Second World War. Nowadays it consists of seasonal exhibits, and the only expense required is the energy spent walking through the middle of the tunnel to see the art. I had the pleasure of walking through Polar Dream (part of the city's Advent program), a dreamy and ambient experience to welcome the new year.

Dinner Options in Zagreb

Balkan Style Food

The exit spits you out a few alleyways from Opatovina ulica, a famous street lined with breweries and restaurants. Additionally, the street parallel to it, Tkalčićeva ulica, has some great options. Both areas are touristy, but the key here is to look at places with a crowd. If you see a place brimming with people speaking Croatian, you have found a good choice. The pick of the day was Mali Medo, run by Croatia's largest craft brewery, Pivovara Medvedgrad. 

Most beer pubs are also grills and allow you to try Balkan specialties, including the popular ćevapčići and the lesser-known mazalica. Ćevapčići are minced meat sausages that typically come with a side of potatoes. Mazalica (something you spread on meat) consists of seasoned beef spread on slices of rustic bread and then toasted so that the meat melts onto the bread to form one cohesive unit. These went perfectly with the craft beers at Mali Medo.

Italian Food; Similar to Istria

Consider an Italian restaurant if you'd like to explore what food is like in the Istrian region. Although the food at Canzona Trattoria is obviously Italian, it reminded me of the dishes from the coastal town of Pula. Here you can try black ink risotto or black truffle pasta. These dishes are as ubiquitous in the Istria region as they are in the Italian cities that share the Mediterranean. 

There is also an extensive local wine list at this restaurant that boasts the strong wine culture of the lower part of the country. Mellow whites, fruity reds, and refreshing rosés are available. The servers are happy to advise on which wines to pair with your food.

Additional Sights in Zagreb

Zagreb is full of sights, and I picked a few locations that can quickly fill your day.

• Art Park: Nicknamed "Art Park," which is different from the official Art Park of the city, this area is located at a small children's park. It transforms into a meeting place filled with art, benches/tables for picnicking, and pop-ups such as cafes and a brewery during the summer.
• St. Mark's Church: This 13th century church with its colorful tiles it the most iconic landmark in Zagreb. In front is a square with lots of space for picture-taking.
• 80's Museum: A place to visit with an open mind and intention to explore. The 80's Museum is immersive where you are encouraged to touch and play with artifacts of a time long gone.
• Museum of Broken Relationships: This museum will leave you feeling somber and reflective about your past and present. But most of all, you'll find something to relate to in the exhibitions, and perhaps you will not feel so alone once you leave.
• Zrinjevac, Strossmayer Square & Tomislavac: Three blocks of three different parks. In winter, the parks are dressed as massive Christmas markets where each block is a different theme. One block is a traditional Christmas market. Another block is designed to look like a large outdoor beer garden. The final block is taken over by a giant ice rink with narrow, winding skate paths that release skaters onto a large disco rink.

Zagreb Food Guide Breakdown

BREAKFAST: MONOCYCLE or MR. FOGG

• Go local with a simple espresso. Milk and espresso choices include cortado and macchiato. Mr. Fogg has a tea box that comes highly recommended.  

LUNCH:  LA ŠTRUK

• Roasted Pepper
• Walnut & Honey
• Chocolate

DINNER: CANZONA TRATTORIA

• Gnocchi with Chicken in Blue Cheese Sauce
• Black Cuttlefish Risotto

Tried Some of These Places?