Zagreb's Best Restaurants

Restaurants in Zagreb are improving dramatically as Croatia's capital takes its place in Europe. As in the rest of the country, Zagreb chefs take a great deal of pride in their cooking. Even the simplest dishes contain fresh ingredients, correctly prepared.   Prices are extremely reasonable given the quality. Excellent thick pizza pies start at 30HRK; a simple three-course meal with a glass of wine starts at about 100HRK.
     You can usually get a meal any time between noon and midnight although some of the finer establishments close for a few hours in the afternoon. Many restaurants are closed Sunday however. It may be best to head to a hotel restaurant.
     All regions of Croatia are represented on the Zagreb dining scene with a particular emphasis on Zagreb and northern Croatian cuisine. There is an increasing smattering of foreign restaurants including Italian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Mexican. Following is a highly personal list of my favorite Zagreb restaurants:

• Zinfandel's Restaurant--In the Esplanade hotel, this is undoubtedly Zagreb's finest and most expensive dining experience. Dishes are complicated but perfectly executed.

• Dubravkin Put--As the name implies, this chef looks south towards the coast for inspiration. In a bright airy room, the fish and seafood are outstanding.

• Boban--Call me the princess of pasta but I can't get enough of it, especially here. It would be hard to find a place in Italy that does pasta this well.

• Kaptolska Klet--It's big and sometimes touristy, but this traditional place across from the cathedral does Zagreb dishes the way they should be done. Plus, the service is friendly and it's open on Sunday.

• Nova--Vegetarians have a tough time in meaty Zagreb, let alone vegans. Both sects are well cared-for here on Ilica street.

• Mimice--Just off Trg Jelacica, this place is crowded for lunch as everyone pours in for the unbelievably cheap fried fish and seafood.

• Ivica I Marica--It's a hip place on hip Tkalciceva (see a video of Tkalciceva) with good prices, a selection of veggie plates and an annex that serves up scrumptious pastries.

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