Restaurants

Some say that eating is a Croatian sport and Zagreb is full of places to train. Until recently, the range of cuisine choices in Zagreb was narrow because most restaurants offered nearly identical bills of fare heavy with grilled meat and fish, Italian pastas and risottos, and a few traditional Croatian dishes. That has changed dramatically in the last 3 years as young chefs with a locavore bent create culinary excitement by interpreting traditional recipes with a refined touch. Pizzerias still are the most common types of casual dining spots around the city, and Croatian pizza is remarkably good and inexpensive, but restaurants offering a wide range of ethnic cuisines (Thai, Istrian, Bosnian, Tapas, Mexican, Middle Eastern) are making inroads. These days bar snacks can be as exotic as sea urchin or as familiar as chips. Fast food tends to be pizza by the slice, meat- and cheese-filled burek (think phyllo "Hot Pockets") or baguette sandwiches. For sweets, the city's ubiquitous cafes and slasticarnicas (ice-cream/pastry shops) provide indulgent treats in a dizzying array of types and flavors.