Gastro Hot Spots: Favorite brunch spots in Zagreb

Too late for breakfast, too early for lunch, but perfectly timed somewhere around noon, when the sun is at its zenith. At that point, all ideas for brunch come together, for many the favorite part of the day, when life’s big topics are thoroughly discussed. Choose your company wisely and head to one of these Zagreb gastro addresses, where you will be served a whole spectrum of options, from classics such as cheese štrukli to beloved poached eggs with a slice of homemade bread or avocado toast. This is a brunch list of places in Zagreb worth bookmarking.

Hotel Esplanade

Address: Mihanovićeva street 1

The tradition of Sunday brunch at Hotel Esplanade has been going on for 20 years, and the famous štrukli from the Zinfandel restaurant are equally beloved by Zagreb locals and visitors seeking an authentic gastronomic taste of the city. In short, brunch at Esplanade is an experience everyone should try at least once. Relaxing in the elegant setting of the Zinfandel’s restaurant, and in summer on the Oleander Terrace, while enjoying a rich selection of dishes curated by head chef Ana Grgić Tomić, is pure pleasure. The offer includes a variety of cold starters, a selection of soups, the indispensable Esplanade baked štrukli, steak tartare, and diverse main courses with fresh fish, meat, and vegetarian options. Brunch ends with a collection of desserts and fresh fruit served on a tiered stand, and the menu changes every Sunday. Brunch is available from 12:30 pm to 3 pm at the Zinfandel’s restaurant, accompanied by pleasant piano music and an extensive selection of sparkling wines and wines.

Signature brunch dish:There are two brunch options at Esplanade we want to highlight here. The famous štrukli are prepared according to a recipe over 50 years old, with thin dough filled with fresh cheese and eggs, then additionally baked with cream in the oven. The second star of the Esplanade brunch menu is steak tartare. It is prepared in front of guests using the highest quality beef, seasoned with black pepper, egg yolks, olive oil, onion, mustard, cognac, and Worcestershire sauce. Served with toasted bread, including a gluten free option, and butter, the steak tartare represents a true culinary performance, with staff explaining each step and adapting the dish to guests’ preferences.

Boogie Lab

Address: Ulica kneza Borne 26

At Boogie, they like to say they are neither a bakery, nor a brunch bar, nor a restaurant. “We are a living room guided by the slogan: sunshine, moonlight, good times,” they say, because whenever you find yourself in one of the Boogie Labs, the goal is always the same, “to play the best food, cook the best music, and spread positive energy.” This positive energy is reflected in their interiors, inspired by the boogie music movement of the late seventies and early eighties. “We wanted to create a place where we would work, spend time, and explore everything that interests us within our LAB.” Their food offering starts as early as 7 am, with a choice of pastry hits from their display case, followed by brunch from 9 am, while lunch begins at 12:30 pm, “always as fresh and seasonal as possible.”

Signature brunch dish:Visitors have decided that Eggs Benedict are their signature favorite. “It is one of the few dishes that has been on the menu since Boogie first opened, and it seems it will stay there for a long time.” Served on toasted sourdough brioche from their own bakery, they pair prosciutto and poached eggs topped with béarnaise sauce with tarragon and cayenne pepper. A seasonal salad accompanies the dish, and like all ingredients in their kitchen, it comes from nearby markets and local family farms.

Dežman Bar

Address: Ulica Ivana Dežmana 3

A gastro gem close enough to the city center to be just a few minutes’ walk from the main square, yet secluded enough to feel the scent of forest and freshness from Tuškanac. Turning into Dežman Passage for brunch is a must, and when they tell us, “This space is not just a bar, it is a destination, a symbol of urban culture and elegance,” we are already on our way to our table. Add to that a carefully curated wine list and a cocktail menu that closely follows global trends in mixology and hospitality, and that is reason enough to seal any brunch plan.

Signature brunch dish:Here we highlight eggs as Dežman’s brunch ace. For the Eggs Benedict Classic, they use locally sourced organic eggs and homemade ham, served on an English muffin they bake themselves. Another option is poached eggs on avocado toast, again using organic local eggs, served on avocado cream and soda bread that they bake fresh every morning.

Photo: Lili Bašić

Fetiš Bistro & Deli

Address: Ulica Antuna Bauera 9

A small Zagreb oasis offering a fully gluten free menu. Until recently known primarily as a brunch destination, they now also offer daily bistro dishes and more substantial meals for lunch or early dinner, from street food bites to Italian classics, lasagna, gluten free pasta with various sauces, from classic tomato sauce to interesting seasonal dishes such as homemade gnocchi with wild garlic pesto and salmon. We still regularly brunch here with a good cup of coffee. The relaxed atmosphere attracts a like minded crowd that appreciates simple yet flavorful food. The drinks list is also excellent, featuring specialty coffee, homemade lemonades and iced teas that change seasonally, as well as Croatian wines and a selection of great cocktails.

Signature brunch dish:At the moment, it is still the autumn burrata that everyone loves for its flavors and colors. It combines fruity pear aromas with fragrant spices, creamy burrata, delicately toasted focaccia, and a baby spinach salad dressed with a sweet and tangy lime, olive oil, and chili dressing. Pomegranate adds freshness and playful color, while caramelized walnuts provide the crunchy element. “With the arrival of spring, a new menu is coming,” they announce.

Health ‘n’ Joy

Address: Palinovečka ulica 19 G-H

Although located outside the city center, where we usually go to catch up with what is current, this small bistro serves fine, tasty dishes in the Vrbani neighborhood. Trust us, the trip is worth it. Meals are conceived as wholesome and nutritionally balanced, made from trusted, high quality ingredients. “Everything is prepared by hand, without additives, from bread, pasta, and sauces to desserts and drinks. We collaborate with local family farms, and every ingredient on your plate has a known origin,” they tell us convincingly. It is an ideal neighborhood oasis if you are near Vrbani or in that part of the city, and you leave feeling full yet light, because “healthy and energizing” is the strong suit of this kitchen.

Signature brunch dish: Hot Chick is a dish you can eat at any time of day, filling yet light, leaving you energized and with the feeling that you have done something good for yourself. It includes bulgur, homemade chicken marinated in honey, soy sauce, and lemon, their sweet chili sauce, roasted carrots, baby salad with homemade dressing, roasted almonds, sesame seeds, and pomegranate.

Health ‘n’ Joy

Broom 44

Address: Dolac 8

Easy early mornings at Dolac Market before the daily headlong slide down the obligations chute begins? Priceless. Broom 44 is located exactly where you need to be to experience that. They offer exclusively vegetarian and vegan dishes that change seasonally, depending on the market’s selection and what local family farms provide. Beyond food, special emphasis is placed on specialty coffee from their own roastery, which regularly draws us here in the mornings. Broom’s barista and roaster, Vedran Peurača, launched it after just two years of the café’s operation. Together with the food and fresh juices prepared daily, it perfectly completes the overall atmosphere.

Signature brunch dish: While they emphasize that they are proud of all creations by chef Klara Bertek Jelisić, avocado toast is their signature dish. Why? “It is the only dish that has been on the menu since day one and has never changed.” It arrives at your table as sourdough focaccia, homemade guacamole, and free range eggs from a local farm, a true crowd pleaser that guests love to return to.

Photo: Veronika Lučić

Jolie Petite Patisserie

Address: Ujevićeva 17, Knežija

Conceived as a cozy and accessible place for all generations, with an emphasis on the quality of ingredients and products, Jolie Petite Patisserie has been operating in Knežija for six years. Although outside the official city center, it is well worth the trip, as a sweet break in every sense is guaranteed here. Alongside their appealing gastronomic offer, they have paid close attention to the interior design so guests feel as if they are in their second living room, “the perfect space for relaxed and carefree gatherings,” they say. Sweet treats take center stage here, but the brunch offering is also worth highlighting.

Signature brunch dish:From the very beginning, two dishes on the menu have convincingly led as top brunch choices. The Jolie Petite Hero consists of a crispy sourdough semolina roll and pistachio mayonnaise they make themselves, beet, apple, and mustard chutney, glazed ham, crispy bacon, and fresh arugula. The Nina Mia cake features dulcey Valrhona mousse, dulcey cremeux, raspberries, almond dacquoise, almond crunch, caramel mirror glaze, and a base of toasted almonds. We told you that the sweet and savory combination is the best choice here.

Roots

Address: Tomićeva 5

A walk from the main square to Tomićeva Street, a glance toward the funicular under renovation, and you are there, passing by the Roots bar. A unique place that merges two worlds, a daytime offering of fresh juices, coffee, and brunch dishes, and an evening concept of top tier cocktails inspired by countries around the world. “Our story is about travel, exploration, and connecting flavors from different cultures in a relaxed yet thoughtful setting,” says Tomislav Perko, a passionate traveler, author, bartender, and today the owner of this place.

Signature brunch dish:The avocado sandwich defines Roots during brunch hours. On aromatic focaccia from a local artisan bakery, they layer creamy avocado, fresh greens, and spices, while 63 degree sous vide local eggs provide perfect texture and depth of flavor. “This dish reflects the philosophy of Roots, simplicity, quality ingredients, and a fusion of influences, all with the goal of creating an unforgettable gastro experience.”

Kata Brunch Bar

Address: Petrinjska 29 i Martićeva 15

Two charming locations, one idea, “to create a place where gluten free food becomes an inspiring and delicious experience.” The menu features sandwiches, desserts, salads, and meals adapted to different dietary preferences, and in addition to gluten free options, they also offer keto, vegan, and lactose free choices. Kata Brunch Bar is not just a meal, it is an experience that blends health, innovation, and gastro creativity in a charming atmosphere. Their signature polka dots bring joy, while the flavors of carefully prepared dishes invite indulgence, “gluten free, without compromise,” they say.

Signature brunch dish: The best selling items are tapioca products, from crispy bites to soft sandwiches and pastries that win you over at the first bite. The irresistible gluten free burek has become a favorite choice among guests seeking a homestyle flavor without compromise.

Otto&Frank

Address: Tkalčićeva 20

Otto & Frank is already a long standing favorite among Zagreb’s brunch spots. Dolac Market is nearby, which means fresh and seasonal ingredients that land deliciously on your plates here. The recipes they have developed give a modern atmosphere to certain traditional dishes, although they also embrace street food influences.

Signature brunch dish: The dish they will mention first here, and have for years, is the Zagreb Breakfast with crispy breaded poached eggs, grilled ham, homemade cheese, and sour cream with horseradish, radishes, and spring onions. It is available all day, and it is not unusual for someone to order it in the evening as well. “It was created as an homage to the Zagreb Easter breakfast and is essentially a version of a traditional breakfast with our vision, in a more modern way,” the owners tell us. The eggs undergo two thermal processes, “first we poach them, then we fry or bread that poached egg in breadcrumbs. This way it is crispy on the outside and runny and soft when you cut into it.” A reason not to skip this central city spot.