Zagreb Food Tours: Dolac Market & Croatian Cuisine

As the capital of wonderful Croatia, you’ll find plenty of things to do and great foodie experiences in Zagreb. The city is small but known for its vibrant cafe culture and food markets.

You’ll find incredible high-end restaurants, rooftop bars, outstanding bakeries, street food and farmers’ markets.

In this guide, I share the best Zagreb food tours that will introduce you to delicious Croatian cuisine and regional specialties.

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Zagreb Food Tours

Zagreb is split into two main areas, the Upper Town and the Lower Town, joined by a historic funicular.

The medieval Upper Town includes the Gradec and Kaptol districts, two of the most historic areas of Zagreb. It’s an area with narrow, cobblestone streets and great views over the centre of Zagreb.

You’ll find many historic sites and attractions in this area, including the Croatian Parliament, interesting museums and Tkalčićeva Street, a pedestrianised cafe strip and nightlife area.

The Lower Town is seen as Zagreb’s city centre. This district has wide open streets and boulevards with beautiful squares, green open spaces and Austro-Hungarian era architecture.

The Lower Town is where you’ll find Dolac Market, the fresh food hub of Zagreb.

A good food tour will cover both areas to give an overview of the city’s food history and culture.

Unfortunately, with Zagreb not being known as a foodie destination, there aren’t many other food tours in Zagreb. It’s a shame as I’ve spent a lot of time in this city and it’s a wonderfully relaxed place to visit and the food is always excellent.

If you’re visiting Zagreb and would like to experience the food on offer, I highly recommend taking the tour mentioned as our top pick.

Otherwise, you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the Dolac market on your own. This open-air farmers’ market is the most famous market in Croatia. If you visit during a less busy period, you’ll find plenty of locals happy to chat with you.

Traditional Zagreb & Croatian Cuisine

Zagreb offers a wide variety of traditional Croatian dishes that are unique to the region. Here are some typical Croatian cuisine that originates in Zagreb:

• Štrukli – Štrukli is a traditional Croatian dish that is typically made with a soft dough filled with cottage cheese, sour cream, and eggs. It’s usually served as a main course but can also be served as a dessert.
• Zagorski Štrukli – This type of Štrukli originates from the Zagorje region, near Zagreb. It’s made with a thicker dough and a filling of fresh cow’s milk cheese, sour cream, eggs, and sometimes bacon.
• Sir i Vino (Cheese and Wine) – Croatia is known for its wine and cheese, and Zagreb is no exception. You can find many restaurants and wine bars that offer a variety of local cheeses and wines.
• Peka – Peka is a traditional Croatian dish that is typically made with meat, vegetables, and potatoes. The ingredients are placed in a large pot or pan and covered with a lid. The dish is then cooked in the oven for several hours.
• Kremšnita – Kremšnita is a delicious Croatian dessert that is made with layers of puff pastry and custard cream. It’s usually served cold and dusted with powdered sugar. Some might argue that this dessert originates across the border in Bled, Slovenia.
• Strudel – Strudel is a sweet pastry that is typically made with apples, walnuts, or cherries. It’s a popular dessert in Croatia (and elsewhere), and you can find it in many cafes and pastry shops in Zagreb.
• Kulen – Kulen is a spicy sausage that is made with pork, garlic, and paprika. It’s a popular Croatian delicacy that is often served as an appetizer.
• Zagreb Schnitzel – This type of schnitzel is made with veal or pork and is typically served with potatoes or fries. It rivals that of those you find in Austria.

These are just a few of the many traditional Croatian dishes that originate from Zagreb. If you’re planning a food tour of the city, be sure to sample as many of these delicious dishes as possible.

This post is part of our series on discovering the best Croatian food for visitors to Croatia.

Dolac Market

Dolac Market is one of Zagreb’s most iconic and vibrant open-air markets. Here are a few things that make it unique:

• Location – Dolac Market is located in the heart of Zagreb, in the historic Upper Town. It is situated between the main city square (Ban Jelačić Square) and the cathedral.
• Fresh Produce – Dolac Market is known for its fresh and locally grown produce. Farmers from the surrounding areas bring their goods to the market every day, and shoppers can find a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and other food products.
• Atmosphere – The atmosphere of Dolac Market is lively and bustling, with vendors calling out their prices and customers bargaining for the best deals. It’s a great place to experience the local culture and get a taste of everyday life in Zagreb.
• Red Umbrellas – The market is known for its iconic red umbrellas, which cover the outdoor stalls and give the market a colourful and vibrant appearance.
• Fish Market – In addition to the main market area, Dolac has a fish market in a nearby alley. Here, you can find a variety of fresh seafood caught in the Adriatic Sea.
• Flower Market – The flower market is located on the northern side of the market, near the entrance to the farmers’ market. Here, you can find a wide variety of locally grown flowers, including roses, tulips, daisies, and many others. The vendors at the flower market are often local growers, and you can buy fresh-cut flowers or potted plants to take home as a souvenir or gift.

All of these factors make Dolac Market a unique and special place to visit in Zagreb. Whether you’re a food lover or just looking for an authentic local experience, a trip to Dolac Market is not to be missed.

Map of Dolac Market

If you’re spending a few days in Zagreb, I recommend visiting the Zagreb tourism site to help plan your trip and itinerary. The site is especially useful for finding food events in Zagreb and gourmet shops and markets that might be of interest.

Sustainability

The City of Zagreb, Dolac Market, and local restaurants are all taking steps to make food and travel more sustainable. Here are a few examples:

• City of Zagreb – The City of Zagreb has implemented several initiatives to promote sustainability in the city. One of these initiatives is Zagreb Energy Week, an annual event that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The city has also introduced a bike-sharing program to encourage sustainable transportation, and it is working to improve the public transportation system to reduce carbon emissions. If you can, take advantage of safe cycling infrastructure in Zagreb to get out and explore more food markets, cafes and restaurants.
• Dolac Market – Dolac Market has implemented several measures to reduce waste and promote sustainability. For example, vendors at the market use reusable bags and containers instead of plastic bags, and the market has installed waste-sorting stations to encourage visitors to recycle. The market also supports local farmers who use sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming. Although, it’s worth noting that organic farming isn’t necessarily best for the climate.
• Local restaurants – Many restaurants in Zagreb are committed to promoting sustainability through their menu choices and business practices. For example, some restaurants source their ingredients locally, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Others offer vegetarian or vegan options to reduce the environmental impact of meat production. Some restaurants have also implemented energy-efficient equipment and lighting to reduce their energy consumption.

Overall, the City of Zagreb, Dolac Market, and local restaurants are all working to promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of food and travel in the city. These are important measures to consider when choosing a food tour in Zagreb.

By supporting these initiatives, you can enjoy Zagreb’s unique cuisine while supporting a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of life.

If you have any questions or want to leave a food tour review or share your experience, please do so in the comments.

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Recommendations are independently chosen by our travel editors. This post contains affiliate links to tours in Zagreb, Croatia. This means we get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.