There is something universally comforting about pizza. It is a symbol of informal gatherings, a quick fix for hunger and, when made right, pure hedonism on a plate. However, this very universality has unfortunately become its curse. In a city full of gastronomic options, it seems that pizza has become a safe bet, a backup option that many restaurants add to their menu without real passion or understanding of the craft. This approach not only underestimates the dish, but also dilutes what makes pizza truly great and important.
This realization led us in recent years through Zagreb‘s neighborhoods. Our mission was not only to find a good pizza, but to separate true masters from mere imitators. We did not manage to visit every pizzeria, but our goal was to find those who offer something different, who respect the ingredients and understand that perfect dough is the foundation of everything. The criteria were clear - top-quality dough in the first place, quality ingredients, reasonable prices, and a positive overall impression. The ambiance is also important, but pizzas are the focus.
Therefore, we bring you a list of recommendations - these are the best neighborhood pizzas that Zagreb currently offers.
PIZZA&PUB CORTES
Right at the exit of the city, in Buzin, inside the Aristos hotel, hides a pizzeria that still does not have the reputation it deserves, which is a great injustice. The kitchen conductor Berislav Fabijanić at Cortes probably creates the best Neapolitan pizza in Croatia, and certainly the best canotto style pizza. His dough with 80% hydration results in an incredibly soft and airy edge that is light and firm. Along with top-quality dough, the ingredients are of high quality, and pay special attention to the imaginative sauces. Cortes is without a doubt the best-kept secret in the city, a place for true connoisseurs.
PIZZA FACTORY
Located in Gračani, Pizza Factory is the embodiment of the philosophy "those who know, know". Don‘t be fooled by the relaxed atmosphere of a true neighborhood pizzeria where people watch football and drink good beer, here you eat one of the best pizzas in town. Their dough, made from certified Smorfia 0 flour, is an interesting variation on the Neapolitan style; the edges are not extremely high, but are airy, and the whole pizza is surprisingly light. What sets them apart are signature pizza combinations you won‘t find elsewhere in the city and very special sauces, from an interesting take on pesto, excellent horseradish sauce, to a juicy ricotta-based sauce. In addition, they also bake fantastic pizza sandwiches, which are a story of their own.
PIZZERIA MEDENA
Pizzeria Medena, located near Avenue Mall, has been quietly and steadily improving in quality since its opening a few years ago. At Medena, they rely on proven Italian ingredients, bake a very convincing Neapolitan pizza, and their basic tomato sauce is rich and perfectly balanced. In addition to the standard offer, they always have interesting seasonal pizzas. We especially fondly remember their porcini pizza, which is probably the best porcini pizza we‘ve tried. The main pizzaiolo spent a long time in Naples learning the craft, and that stamp of authenticity is especially visible in the quality of the dough. With a charming ambiance and good service, Medena is a safe choice.
PIZZA SHANGO
We cannot emphasize how important Shango is for the Zagreb pizza scene. Their dough combines the best of both worlds – the airiness of Neapolitan and the crispness of Roman, creating a light yet characterful base. Add to that fantastic, often lacto-fermented ingredients, good sauces, and very imaginative original combinations. In addition to pizzas, they also make serious panuozze. Recently, they have enriched their offer with a great selection of natural wines, which we welcome as a big step forward. With this, Shango, along with the pizzeria Goat!, is among the only pizzerias with a proper natural wine list, and stands out for its unique and commendable focus on wines signed exclusively by female winemakers. Also, at Shango we‘ve tried most of their offer and can comfortably say you can‘t go wrong with any pizza. Head to Sveti Duh, sit on the terrace, buy a bottle of wine and enjoy wonderful pizzas.
PIZZERIA BUTLER
Hidden near the Bus Station, Butler is another gem that bakes excellent Neapolitan canotto style pizza with a thicker, but extremely airy and soft edge. The combination of top-quality dough, good ingredients, and friendly service makes Butler a place we warmly recommend. Their outdoor terrace is a pleasant refuge from the city bustle, and the drink offer is quite solid. This is an example of a neighborhood pizzeria that operates without much hype, but with a lot of knowledge and passion, consistently delivering very good pizzas.
Of course, the Zagreb scene is vibrant and there are other places worth mentioning that we also recommend exploring, such as pizzerias Toccare in Vukomerec, Nu in Središće, Nautic near Tuđman Park, Re in Lanište, Papavero in Mlinovi, and Goat! in Knežija. They also do a great job and contribute to the quality of Zagreb‘s offer. However, if you are looking for the absolute top of the neighborhood scene, pizzerias that set the standards and from which others should learn, this list is all you need.
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