Novi Zagreb, a city within a city, with its wide roads, spacious parks, and unique modernist architecture, boasts a specific character. However, for a long time, its gastronomic scene was considered not to match the dynamic spirit of its neighborhoods. For years, the offer was dull and predictable. It mostly boiled down to neighborhood pizzerias and a few good grill houses, especially those gathered around the lively Utrine market. There was a noticeable lack of more serious, creative, and conceptually interesting restaurants.
However, the past few years have brought a real shift to the south side of the Sava. Novi Zagreb is finally getting a new, exciting gastronomic look. Numerous restaurants have opened, attracting guests from all over the city, from those with refined signature cuisine to places baking top-notch Neapolitan-style pizzas and charming bistros with a touch of Italy. Some traditional restaurants are also doing better than ever.
To help you navigate the ever-growing and richer offer, we have prepared a list of key places you should have on your radar when your path takes you to Novi Zagreb.
PIZZAS
Medena
Located near Avenue Mall, Pizzeria Medena is a place that has quietly and persistently worked on improving quality since its opening. Their approach is based on using tried-and-true Italian ingredients to prepare Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The tomato sauce they use is rich in flavor and well balanced, but what particularly stands out is the quality of the dough. This is a direct result of the fact that the head pizzaiolo spent a long time training in Naples, learning the craft at its source.
In addition to the standard menu, Medena regularly offers interesting seasonal pizzas. For example, we remember their brutally good porcini pizza, which stuck in our memory thanks to its juicy mushrooms, just coming into season. The space is pleasant and the service is good, which makes Medena the first choice for pizza in Novi Zagreb.
Pizzeria Medena is located at Sortina St. 1E and is open every day from 11:00 to 23:00.
Duksa
Duksa at Bundek is the second location of this now legendary pizzeria, which started in Maksimir. The scenario here is well known and proven: thin pizzas and excellent ingredients. In fact, we can safely say that Duksa has perfected the thin romana in Croatia. Of course, it always comes down to personal preference, but at Duksa you are guaranteed a high level of quality on every visit. We especially like the detail with fresh basil and three types of spicy sauces waiting for you on the table.
The space at Bundek is large and airy, and we particularly love their big, somewhat hidden backyard terrace. The atmosphere here is relaxed, making Duksa a great choice both for a family lunch and an evening get-together with friends.
The ingredients are consistently good, and the pizza combinations are imaginative, for which they are well known. Although it’s hard to go wrong with the choice, we keep coming back to the Špeksa pizza. In our opinion, it has perfected the combination of sweet onions and salty bacon, ideal for all of us who love juicy and substantial bites. This pizza has become one of their classics and the reason we gladly return.
Duksa is located at Ede Murtića St. 11 and is open daily from 11:00 to 23:00.
Mrs Fogg
Pizzeria Mrs. Fogg was created as a sort of extension of the popular Mr. Fogg bar from downtown, bringing part of that recognizable atmosphere to the Novi Zagreb side. The Fogg family recently got a third member, Grandma Fogg, focusing on tray-baked pizza, but our personal favorite remains the Mrs. Fogg location, situated right next to the Most slobode bridge.
This is a very fun and elegantly decorated place, whose interior exudes charm. In addition to pizzas, they also offer excellent pizza sandwiches (panuozze). We would especially highlight their Margherita, which comes with a rich basil pesto, and the pizza with pickled red onions and pancetta, offering a great combination of acidity and saltiness. Also, last time we had a very good yuzu cheesecake for dessert.
What completes the experience is the atmosphere. The staff is extremely well-trained, fast and professional, and the ambiance is more than pleasant, with subtle background music and the smell of the wood-fired oven wafting through the air, creating a feeling that makes this our warm recommendation for a relaxed evening with excellent pizza.
You will find Mrs. Fogg at Karla Metikoša St. 2b and it is open every day from 11:00 to 23:00.
Meat, Grill, and Butcher Shops
Marble
Marble is a place that is sometimes hard for us to unequivocally recommend. It is a restaurant that, with its ambiance and prices, seems to want to be ranked among fine dining establishments, but that experience is not always consistently delivered in all aspects. However, what is absolutely indisputable and the reason Marble must be on every serious gastronomic list is the fact that they probably prepare the best steaks in the city.
The meat selection is truly commendable. Here you can find everything from top-quality ribeye, T-bone, and fiorentina to the impressive tomahawk. They specialize in dry-aged meat, and often offer exclusive cuts like Japanese Wagyu beef. The ambiance is a story in itself, and you’ll see that when you enter Marble.
Also, their extensive wine list is worth praising. As is most of the staff, when things run smoothly. In the end, if you’re looking for a place with good steaks in the city, to enjoy with a glass of wine, Marble is the address for you.
Marble is located at Ede Murtića St. 2d and is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 23:00, closed on Sundays.
Magazinska klet - By Cyrano
Honestly, we have to say that the quality is not always consistent in all Magazinska klet restaurants. Still, the one near Avenue Mall is, in our opinion, a story of its own and by far the best in the chain. The location is excellent, the interior is pleasant and nicely decorated, and there is a large terrace. But the main reason for our visits and what sets this restaurant apart is the fantastic, juicy burger with kajmak, which always meets high expectations.
The menu is dedicated to classics from the charcoal grill. Their famous burger, stuffed with a generous amount of kajmak that melts and permeates the juicy meat, is an absolute favorite. Of course, alongside it, there are many other favorites like ćevapi, stuffed pork rolls, and grilled sausages. As for sides, we would definitely highlight their excellent homemade potatoes and fresh salads, like the indispensable shopska.
The service is mostly fast and professional, but what you have to keep in mind is the popularity of this place. It’s almost always crowded, so our warm recommendation is to definitely reserve a table in advance, especially if you’re coming on the weekend. If you’re looking for reliably good barbecue in Novi Zagreb, you can’t go wrong with this choice.
This restaurant is located at prilaz Vladislava Brajkovića 1 (near Avenue Mall) and is open every day from 09:00 to 23:00.
The Meat
Although at first glance it looks like a butcher shop, this is actually a small gourmet store. They offer fresh cuts of meat, but what they are best known for are their dry-aged steaks. They primarily use Simmental and Black Angus beef, and in their aging chamber you can always find impressive cuts like rib-eye, T-bone, and rump steak.
In addition to steaks, they offer a wide selection of fresh meat products of their own production, such as excellent burgers, ćevapi, and grill sausages. The section with pre-marinated cuts (like pork ribs or chicken wings) ready for the oven or grill is especially practical. Of course, there’s also the classic offer of their famous cured meats, from kulen and bacon to homemade pork cracklings.
You can also buy everything you need for a good lunch or dinner – from meat to wine and beer, olive oil, spice mixes, ajvar, homemade mlinci, and pasta.
The Meat is located at Stonska St. 1a and is open from 08:00 to 20:00 (Saturdays until 15:00, closed on Sundays).
Igomat
When talking about butcher shops in Novi Zagreb, Igomat in Dugave is something of an institution. It is a family butcher shop with roots in Samobor that started operating at this location back in 1995. This is a true neighborhood butcher shop with an old spirit, a place with loyal customers and, which is always the best sign, an almost constant line in front of the entrance.
Although the entire offer of fresh meat (from lamb to veal) is top-notch, Igomat has achieved cult status because of its barbecue meat. Their ćevapi and burgers are among the best in the city, always fresh, juicy, and prepared according to traditional recipes. We must also mention that although we rarely eat frankfurters (veal), at Igomat we know we’ll get the real, homemade ones, so we often get them there, along with their boiled ham and homemade sausages.
The staff is very professional, and despite the crowds, the line moves quickly. For us, Igomat is synonymous with proven quality and reliable, old-school butchery.
Igomat is located at Vajdin vijenac 20 in Dugave, and is open from 07:00 to 20:00 (Saturdays until 15:00, closed on Sundays).
Restaurants
Il secondo
You can reliably have good homemade pasta, made in-house, at Il Secondo. This is the address you go to specifically for that. Their black linguine with wild Adriatic tuna, homemade ravioli stuffed with ricotta in a rich white truffle sauce, or paccheri with veal are just some of the excellent dishes that confirm their status.
Although pasta is what they are best known for, the kitchen is equally skilled with meat dishes. The beefsteak, cooked exactly to the guest‘s liking, is always a safe choice, and the offer is regularly supplemented with fresh fish specialties.
The restaurant is elegantly decorated, with professional and unobtrusive service, making it suitable for occasions that require a slightly more serious ambiance. In short, Il Secondo is a classic of the Novi Zagreb restaurant scene that successfully maintains a high level of quality.
Il Secondo is located at Avenija Dubrovnik 12 and is open from 12:00 to 23:00 (Sundays until 22:00).
Potkova Restaurant
Potkova Restaurant in Kajzerica, located right next to the hippodrome, is one of those Zagreb classics with a long and rich history. This is a restaurant with a broad offer, where the menu covers dishes from all over the country, from charcoal grill and peka specialties, all the way to, which particularly attracted us, fresh Adriatic fish.
The reputation for fresh fish is evident as soon as you enter, where the day‘s catch on ice awaits you in the display case. We tried an excellently grilled John Dory, which was perfectly juicy. As well as a very tasty sea bream. But what we would especially highlight and what would always bring us back is their black risotto, simply excellent, cooked in a rich broth and with plenty of cuttlefish.
The space is truly large, with several terraces and separate areas that provide guests with privacy, and there is also a small playground for children. Although the kitchen maintains a fairly traditional and basic approach, they do it with very high-quality ingredients. If you are looking for reliably good black risotto or fresh grilled fish, Potkova is the address that delivers it consistently.
Potkova Restaurant is located at Radoslava Cimermana St. 5 in Kajzerica and is open every day from 12:00 to 23:00.
Rougemarin Bar&Ton
Rougemarin Bar&Ton, the new restaurant by chef Marin Medak, recently opened on the ground floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art. At first glance, it’s clear this is not an ordinary restaurant; it is visually playful and colorful, just as befits a space within the MSU. That playfulness is also reflected on the plates, which, we must say, pleasantly surprised us.
Although the entire menu was interesting, two dishes stuck in our memory. The Skradin risotto, which we tried as a starter, absolutely delighted us – velvety texture, rich flavor, and perfectly rounded off with goat cheese foam. Among the main courses, the star of the evening was the Milanese tuna steak: perfectly cooked medium rare, with crispy flavored crumbs and an excellent sauce.
Along with very good starters such as steak tartare and burrata, the imaginative cocktails are also worth mentioning. Although the desserts may not match the same level of excitement as the main dishes, Rougemarin Bar&Ton is a very welcome refreshment for Novi Zagreb. It is a place with a great atmosphere and several dishes that are definitely worth coming back for.
Rougemarin Bar&Ton is located in the MSU at Avenija Dubrovnik 17 and is open from 12:00 to 22:00 (Saturday until 23:00, closed on Sundays).
Matsu
Matsu in Buzin is a relatively new address for Asian cuisine, located within the Supernova center. It is a large and modern space with a spacious terrace, which, due to its popularity, is often full, so the atmosphere is always lively.
Although it is probably not the best Asian restaurant in Zagreb, Matsu is a very solid option for lunch or an informal dinner. We tried some of their dishes, such as the chicken wok, which was quite decent and plentiful. Their sushi is also not bad, and the gyoza and bao buns turned out to be really good.
Matsu‘s main advantage is the good price-quality ratio, especially for this type of cuisine, making it accessible to a wider range of guests. If you are looking for a place for a casual gathering with Asian food in a pleasant setting, Matsu is quite a good and reliable choice.
Matsu is located in the Supernova center Buzin, Av. Većeslava Holjevca 62, and is open from 11:00 to 22:30 (Friday/Saturday until 23:00).
Something Sweet..
Noublie Pâtisserie
Noublie Pâtisserie in Središće is a charming patisserie with a French flair, one of those places where we really love to sit for coffee and cake. What makes them special is that they make all their desserts themselves, and we have to say, they do it quite well.
The best proof of this is that when we don’t feel like baking for the holidays, we order boxes of homemade cookies and small cakes from them. Without exception, those boxes are always the first to disappear from the table, which is probably the best recommendation.
Although the entire display case is always tempting, if we had to highlight something, it would probably be their famous pistachio and raspberry cake or the imaginative Babushka. In addition to sweets, they also have a good savory program, which is an added plus. All in all, Noublie is a great addition to the neighborhood and an address with reliably good desserts.
Noublie is located at Brune Bušića St. 16 in Središće and is open from 08:00 to 20:00 (Saturdays from 09:00, closed on Sundays).
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