Barbecue in Zagreb still attracts the most guests. There are many barbecue places, but most of them have poor ingredients, which is a shame. However, there are a few places in Zagreb that offer excellent meat, ćevapi and pljeskavice. The popularity of barbecue joints largely stems from the fact that Croats traditionally love meat and barbecue is an accessible option for a quality meal. Therefore, we bring you a list of proven places that still offer excellent barbecue, guaranteed. They stand out for the quality of their meat and different preparations. Prices also play a role.
Stari Kotač(i)
A branch of the popular barbecue restaurant from Prečko, opened in 2023, which quickly became so in demand that table reservations are almost mandatory. They offer excellent beef ćevapi stuffed with cheese, colorful pljeskavica and shish ćevapi. Fresh flatbreads are included in the price, and for dessert they serve only kremšnita as their trademark. A strong recommendation to try the colorful beef pljeskavica which contains three types of cheese and three types of peppers plus smoked beef. Reservations are mandatory because without one you will hardly get a table.
The barbecue restaurant at Medulićeva 6 has an impressive capacity of about a hundred seats - the indoor area seats about fifty guests, the large courtyard terrace up to 60 people, plus an outdoor hall for an additional 30 guests. The kitchen works extremely fast so dishes arrive within 15 minutes, and the quality of the meat far surpasses most of Zagreb‘s competition.
Pljeskavica Factory TPK
The Pljeskavica Factory TPK was established in Zagreb‘s Cvjetno naselje, across from the Cvjetno Student Dormitory, after the paths split between experienced barbecue chef Kosta Stefanović and his Zagreb business partners. Several of them had previously managed the successful Pljeskavica Factory Kosta on Savska Street together, but business disagreements led to a split.
TPK has retained the recognizable concept of a traditional barbecue restaurant with a deliberately simple, conservative menu focused on the quality execution of basic specialties. The menu includes several versions of classic pljeskavica made from fresh minced meat, various types of ćevapi, crispy uštipci as an appetizer, juicy pork tenderloin for those who prefer bigger bites, and a basic selection of chicken dishes. The side dishes are equally traditional.
The restaurant‘s atmosphere has remained casual and relaxed, attracting both students from the nearby dorm and residents of Cvjetno naselje who appreciate authentic taste and affordable prices in a pleasant setting.
Pljeskavica Factory Kosta - Kod Koste
Pljeskavica Factory Kosta on Savska cesta 107 is a Zagreb legend of Leskovac barbecue run by chef Kosta Kostadin Stefanović. This modest establishment is hidden in a small house with only seven tables, and all dishes are grilled exclusively on charcoal immediately after ordering, so the smell of smoke and rustic preparation create a distinctive, almost homely atmosphere. In addition to the indoor space, a small courtyard terrace opens in summer, while drinks are limited to a short but carefully selected list of local beers and a few labels of Macedonian wine, further emphasizing the Balkan character of the place.
The biggest attraction is the "Leskovac Train," a sequence of pure beef ćevapi, small cheese pljeskavice, stuffed vešalica and uštipci arriving in waves straight from the grill. There are also Leskovac mućkalica, beans in a skillet and seasonal salads, while the pure beef pljeskavica, prepared without additives and served with flatbread baked on embers, is reputed to be one of the best in town. Portions are large and prices are quite reasonable.
Šareni Leptir
A relatively new player on the Zagreb scene, bistro Šareni Leptir is already, according to many, a place with some of the best charcoal barbecue in the city. Šareni Leptir is located at the former Bonaca Nova site and stands out for its approach to charcoal-grilled meat and fresh ingredients from local farms, with a concise menu focused on quality. The ambiance is colorful, relaxed and functional, with two spacious terraces and good ventilation that removes all traces of smoke from the space.
Specialties include veal thick soup, uštipci with young kajmak and stuffed pljeskavica, but also a rare specialty—beefsteak in three types of oil, which makes the restaurant interesting even for more discerning guests. Cheese ćevapi are fantastic. Drinks are based on local wines and classic beers, and the portions are generous. With professional service and atmospheric charm, Šareni Leptir has already established itself as one of the better places for barbecue in Zagreb and has the potential to become a well-known address for all lovers of top-quality meat and a relaxed atmosphere.
Magazinska klet - By Cyrano
Although there is no complete consistency in quality among all Magazinska Klet locations, the restaurant near Avenue Mall is by far the best – the location is extremely convenient, the interior is comfortable and modern with a large terrace, and the special trump card is the fantastic, juicy pljeskavica with kajmak that meets the high expectations of barbecue lovers.
The menu is based on classic barbecue specialties prepared on charcoal, where their signature pljeskavica stands out – hand-formed from quality minced meat with a rich center of kajmak that melts perfectly with every bite. In addition to pljeskavica, the offer includes various types of ćevapi, stuffed vešalica, barbecue sausages and a selection of chicken specialties. Among the side dishes, the homemade potatoes baked with the main dishes, freshly prepared salads such as Šopska and country salad, and traditional pot beans are particularly praised.
The service is mostly very professional and helpful. Be sure to reserve a table as it can get very crowded.
Grill by Public
The Grill by Public in Zagreb‘s Voltino was created as an extension of the successful Public pizzeria from the same Golikova street, focusing on barbecue specialties prepared in the traditional way. The restaurant offers a wide selection of grilled meats, from signature sharing platters to individual dishes, with the beef ćevapi standing out in particular—they are a real hit: the excellent meat is juicy and tender, which clearly speaks to the quality of the ingredients and expertise in preparation. The offer also includes gourmet pljeskavica, stuffed vešalica and veal roast with Mediterranean herbs.
The ambiance is very pleasant and combines modern elements with an industrial style in an elegantly decorated space with an outdoor garden, and the professional service further enhances the overall experience. The restaurant is often full, especially on weekends and in the evenings, so it is recommended to call ahead and check the situation with seating. Their excellent sharing platters, which include a variety of barbecue specialties, uštipci, roasted potatoes and grilled mushrooms, are particularly noteworthy.
Batak
Batak is above all an example of a chain that is expanding so quickly that many classic Zagreb barbecue places can no longer keep up. Locations are popping up in all major neighborhoods, from the city center to new shopping zones, and there is hardly any noticeable difference between them in terms of equipment, recipes or hygiene levels, so there‘s no point debating which is best—the standard is set high and is very consistent.
What sets Batak apart from the competition is the wide range of appetizers: smoked and dried delicacies, creamy homemade spreads, fresh seasonal salads, ajvar and urnebes made in their own kitchen, and various types of hot bites such as mini-uštipci or corn bread rolls with kajmak. The main part of the menu is, as expected, taken up by pljeskavica, ćevapi, ribs, grilled chicken thighs and pork tenderloin, all charcoal-grilled, with recipes adapted for mass production without losing juiciness: the meat is evenly seasoned, portions are generous, and the presentation is neat and repeatable from location to location.
In addition, the chain has developed one of the most professional services in the city. Waiters undergo internal training, work is organized in teams, waiting times for dishes rarely exceed fifteen minutes, and the level of communication with guests remains equally polite and efficient regardless of the time of day or how full the restaurant is.
Tavern Kod Marka
Tavern Kod Marka in Rakitje is a unique Zagreb gastronomic institution that has been serving only two dishes—ćevapi and skewers for €6.60—at the same location at Dr. Franje Tuđmana 21 for almost 65 years. This family restaurant, recently taken over by the younger generation, has kept exactly the same recipe and preparation method as decades ago.
The offer is deliberately limited—10 ćevapi or 3 skewer sticks come with purple onion, two mounds of salt and toasted white bread (not flatbread), which sounds shocking but works excellently. The ćevapi are served lightly sprinkled with finely ground pepper, and the meat is grilled over charcoal, giving it depth of flavor through the Maillard reaction and rich smoky aromas. The skewers are marinated and tender "like cotton", and the external browning adds fullness of aroma.
Portions are quite small, so it is recommended to order a portion and a half for about €10. The restaurant has a large shaded terrace and winter heating with a cast-iron stove, and the interior has deliberately remained old-fashioned and unchanged. For those who have not yet visited this authentic place, Tavern Kod Marka is a true gastronomic time machine that proves that simplicity and quality can be a formula for success through almost seven decades of existence.
Bistro Ponikve
Bistro Ponikve, hidden next to the NK Ponikve football field at Jagnjedje 1, stands out for its authentic approach to barbecue and the special quality of its ćevapi that wins over even the most demanding guests.
Here, everything is subordinated to the quality of the meat and authentic preparation: the owner personally sources the meat from reliable suppliers, grinds it himself, seasons and shapes it, so the ćevapi made from finely ground beef are extremely juicy, well seasoned and perfectly grilled. A portion of ćevapi comes with homemade flatbread and plenty of onion, and the special feature is the friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a view of the sports field, where guests can also enjoy good beer, wine or coffee.
Bistro Ponikve also offers a large terrace, the possibility of reservations and an impressive level of clean, professional service. This is a place where you will experience a sincere, traditional taste of ćevapi made with special care, which is why guests often return. Highly recommended.
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