Tried & Tested Bars & Cheap Restaurants in Zagreb

Zagreb has plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from, with options for most tastes and budgets. Over multiple visits, we often ate in the city’s cheaper spots and found some excellent options. As a bonus, many of these places were pet-friendly and certainly very hospitable.

One of the most popular streets in Zagreb for bars and restaurants is Ul. Ivana Tkalčića. There are many options here, and it can be quite vibrant in the evenings. Food available includes traditional Croatian cuisine and some international options too.

Bars & Restaurants in Zagreb

These are some of the bars and affordable restaurants we enjoyed in Zagreb.

Bistro Amfora

For something a bit local, we enjoyed dining out at Bistro Amfora, which is in the main markets in the city centre. It is a small cafe-style restaurant with upstairs seating and a terrace overlooking the farmer’s market. They specialise in seafood and are right next door to the Ribarnica, so everything is fresh.

Their concept is based on what is fresh at the market, so there is no set menu. On our visit, we had the choice of tuna steaks, sardines or sea bream. Their sea bream was delicious and served with blitva. This was a sizeable portion and a very succulent meal. As a bonus, the prices were great too. Note: they close at 4 pm, so it’s a great place for lunch or afternoon food.

Mali Medo

Mali Medo is a fantastic bar and restaurant near the cathedral and Stone Gate. They serve very good value food, which is ideal for those on a budget. They brew their own beer, and both the Weissbier and pilsner were good.

The food menu was cheap; this is why we dined out here a few times. Their ham with cabbage and wedges was delicious, as was their version of goulash.

Cheese Bar

Near the cathedral and Ban Josip Jelačić Square is the delightful Cheese Bar. This is a fantastic place to go for a drink or food if you enjoy cheese or wine. They have many options for Croatian artisan cheeses and wines. During our visit, we tried some Istrian white wine with a sharing board. They have lots of options on their menu for cheese and charcuterie boards.

We opted for the mixed cheese and charcuterie board. This included something from every region of Croatia. This was delicious and came with olives, bread and chutney.

KIC Klub: A Chilled Cafe Bar

Near Crkva Preobraženja Gospodnjeg and the Hangover Museum is KIC Klub, a lovely cafe bar. It is a great place for coffee or beer during the day. KIC Klub has inside and outside seating. The outside area is a sun trap and a fantastic place to sit. I recommend their local Croatian beer, Karlovačko. I found the servers here quick and friendly. One note: to pay by card, you have to venture inside.

Stella Bar

In the central areas of the city is Stella Bar, a great place to dine out, with budget-friendly prices. They have indoor and outdoor seating options, and we tried both. They have a range of beers, including draught Stella, hence the name, and many options for local bottled beers.

Their food is delicious, and they have a diverse menu, from snacks to more substantial meals. Stella Bar brings a tablet to the table as their menu, so you can find out all about the dishes before you order. They serve some fantastic soups, including the delicious red scorpionfish soup.

They have some other interesting starters, including homemade Zagorje-style strukli, which is a cottage cheese strudel. This is a very filling dish, although it is served as an appetiser.

They do some fantastically cooked mains too, including risottos, the most popular of which is the traditional black risotto. I also enjoyed the pork fillet mignon with croquettes, which was delicious, as was the stuffed chicken.

A few other dishes that were delicious on subsequent visits include the baked cheese, ćevapi and Zagreb steak. This was a bit like a schnitzel, with additional ham and cheese inside the crust.

Mio Corazón a Tapas Bar

Near the Stone Gate is Mio Corazon, a Spanish tapas bar. We enjoyed a few beers on their street-side terrace, which was nice. The service was great and hospitable, and we really enjoyed our visit. Note that they only accept cash, so you might need to visit an ATM before visiting.

Karaoke Club Praćka

We often try to find a karaoke night when travelling, and Zagreb was no different. We found Karaoke Club Praćka on Google Maps and headed down for a night out. It’s a pleasant venue with a good crowd that got into the singing. They have drink options, including beer and cocktails. Note they only open at 9 pm, so it is a late bar, and they only accept cash. If you enjoy karaoke, then this is a great option for you.

Serbus

For an early beer or coffee, Serbus in the Dolac market is a great option. This is a small place with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a good choice of local coffees and beers. I really enjoyed a beer here a few times while taking in the goings-on in the square. The staff are also friendly, which was nice.

Nikki’s Street Food Cafe

A nice place for street food or drinks in central Zagreb is Nikki’s Street Food Cafe. They are on the popular Tkalčićeva, a vibrant spot for a fun outing. They serve Croatian beers, wines and soft drinks, which we enjoyed a few of with our meal out.

For food, we opted to have the popular Croatian street food, ćevapi. They served this in flatbread with raw onions and relish. They were filling, and we really enjoyed a cheap meal out here.

Carpe Diem

The Carpe Diem bar is a short walk from the cathedral and near the city’s markets. We ended up here after watching some traditional dancing in a nearby square. They serve a range of beers, including some Croatian favourites. They seem to have a wider variety than many other bars.

Orient Express

A unique place we visited was the Orient Express. Basically, the interior looks like the inside of an Orient Express carriage, the famous train. We really enjoyed it, and it was appropriate, as we were on a railway adventure. They serve a variety of drinks here, including cocktails and beers. I enjoyed a few local beers here. The Orient Express is a fun place to visit, and I would certainly return.

Garden Bar

You never need to be lonely at the Garden Bar near the railway station. Their tables have big teddy bears for company. This is a great bar for beer or coffee while waiting for a train, or just for fun. We have visited a few times and enjoyed our time here. They serve you at the table, and the prices are good value. As a bonus, they also have self-service water.

Dubravica

Not a restaurant; however, Dubravica is a fantastic place to grab some food to eat in the parks of Zagreb. Dubravica is located in various parts of the city. They sell a variety of sandwiches, which are all nice; however, their roast beef is the best. Dubravica also sells drinks, pastries and cakes.

Leggiero Bar

If you visit City Center One East shopping mall, a nice cafe for drinks and a snack is Leggiero Bar. They have a nice indoor seating area and a terrace at the mall entrance. I enjoyed a few beers while on a shopping mission to replace my walking boots and found it to be a great place. As well as beer, they also serve sandwiches and cakes.

Chillout Hostel

Our accommodation in Zagreb, Chillout Hostel, also has a great bar which is very vibrant. They have a lovely seating area, including on a balcony. This had some comfy seats and was a great place for a drink out. As a bonus, it’s a great place to meet people. They host many events throughout the week and can get lively.

Caffe Bar Argentina

Another place I was partial to stopping by for a quick rest was Caffe Bar Argentina. They are near the main square and the open markets. Caffe Bar Argentina provides at-the-table service and has a good selection of beers and coffees. I found this place to be good value.