When visiting Zagreb, most tourists flock to the well-known restaurants in the city center, following TripAdvisor recommendations and Instagram-friendly spots. But if you want to dine like a true local, escape the tourist traps, and experience Zagreb through the eyes (and taste buds) of its residents, you need to venture a little further.
This guide is not just another list of restaurants—it is an invitation to explore a side of Zagreb that most visitors never see. The places featured here are local institutions beloved by generations of Zagreb’s residents, where the focus isn’t on trendy décor or curated experiences but on simple, perfectly grilled meat that keeps people coming back for more.
If you’re a grill enthusiast, a meat lover, or simply someone who appreciates honest, no-frills cooking, this list is for you. These hidden roast meat spots serve up some of the best ćevapi, pljeskavice, ražnjići, and steaks in town, prepared the traditional way—over an open flame, with just the right amount of seasoning and served alongside rich kajmak, crispy potatoes, and fresh onions.
Unlike the polished, tourist-friendly restaurants in the city center, these eateries are authentic to the core. There are no overpriced menus, no waiters trying to lure you in with English pitches—just regulars who know exactly what they want and grill masters who have perfected their craft over decades. Eating here means experiencing Zagreb as a local in a setting where conversations flow naturally, where tables are packed with friends sharing a meal, and where food is a celebration of tradition and simplicity.
For anyone who loves exploring beyond the obvious, who enjoys discovering places that don’t make it into travel guides, and who wants a true taste of Zagreb’s everyday life, this guide is your key to some of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets. Get ready to step off the beaten path and indulge in the ultimate meat-lovers experience—one that only locals truly know about.
Not every traveler wants to follow the well-worn path of guidebook recommendations and Tripadvisor’s top lists. Some prefer to stray from the tourist-heavy districts, to find themselves in places where menus don’t come with English translations and the only people dining around them are locals who have been coming to the same spot for years. If you are one of those travelers, then these hidden roast meat restaurants in Zagreb might just be your perfect dining experience.
These are places where you can immerse yourself in local culture, far from the crowds, where the sounds of clinking glasses, the scent of sizzling meat, and the lively chatter of Zagreb’s residents create an atmosphere of authenticity. There are no gimmicks here, no carefully curated “authentic Croatian experience” tailored for visitors—just everyday people enjoying their favorite meals in places that feel like an extension of their own dining rooms.
For grilled meat enthusiasts, these spots are a dream come true. If you love the rich, smoky flavors of roasted and grilled meats, dishes like ćevapi, pljeskavica, and ražnjići will feel like a celebration of everything that makes this cuisine satisfying. The meats are carefully selected, seasoned with simple yet effective spices, and cooked over open flames to create the perfect balance of crispness on the outside and juiciness within.
Food lovers who have a passion for Mediterranean and Balkan flavors will also feel at home here. The influence of Turkish and Greek cuisine is evident in the preparation of many dishes, from the spices used in minced meat to the signature side dishes, such as kajmak —a rich dairy spread similar to clotted cream —and fresh onions that complement the meat perfectly. These restaurants serve food that speaks of the region’s history and cultural blending, where flavors have traveled and evolved over centuries.
Perhaps most importantly, these places are for those who see food as an adventure. If you enjoy exploring local neighborhoods, venturing into places that don’t make it onto travel blogs or glossy magazines, and discovering spots that feel like hidden treasures, then these restaurants are exactly what you’re looking for. There is a special kind of thrill in walking into a place where the regulars glance up, recognizing you as someone new, only for you to be welcomed just as warmly as any other guest once the first plate of steaming, perfectly grilled meat arrives at your table.
What sets these restaurants apart from the typical dining experiences recommended to tourists is their authenticity, affordability, and deeply rooted local popularity. These are the kinds of places that don’t rely on marketing or flashy promotions—word-of-mouth and loyal regulars keep them thriving. If you ask a Zagreb local where to get the best grilled meat, these names will come up time and time again even though they rarely, if ever, appear in mainstream tourist guides.
The first thing that makes them stand out is that they are true hidden gems unknown to most visitors. Unlike the popular restaurants in the city center that cater to tourists with multilingual menus and international dishes, these spots serve straightforward, traditional food designed for those who know exactly what they’re looking for—delicious, no-nonsense grilled meat.
Another key factor is location. Most of these restaurants are outside Zagreb’s city center, tucked away in residential neighborhoods where locals live and work. You won’t find them by casually strolling around the main squares; instead, you’ll have to venture into areas like Trešnjevka, Dubrava, Sesvete, or Novi Zagreb. While this might require a bit of effort, the reward is a truly authentic dining experience, far from the usual tourist crowds.
One of the biggest draws is their affordability. These restaurants cater to a local clientele, meaning the prices remain fair and reasonable, making them a fantastic choice for travelers on a low to mid-range budget. Unlike some high-end grill houses that charge premium prices for essentially the same dishes, here you’ll get generous portions of high-quality food without breaking the bank.
Despite their low-key appearance, these restaurants are constantly buzzing with customers. Regulars come back week after week, some even daily, reinforcing their reputation as beloved neighborhood institutions. Many of these spots have been serving the same classic dishes for decades, with little to no changes in their recipes—because when something is done right, there’s no need to fix it.
Their atmosphere is refreshingly simple. There are no elaborate decorations, themed interiors, or modern design elements. Instead, the focus is on the essentials: great food, friendly service, and a welcoming environment where everyone—from construction workers on their lunch break to families enjoying a casual dinner—feels at home.
The menus are heavily meat-focused, with specialties that revolve around grilled and roasted meats, all prepared over open flames for that signature smoky flavor. If you love ćevapi, pljeskavica, ražnjići, and juicy steaks, you’re in for a treat. However, it’s essential to note that vegan options are extremely limited—these are traditional Balkan-style grill restaurants, where meat is the main attraction. Vegetarians might find an occasional side dish, such as grilled mushrooms or baked beans, but for the most part, these places stay true to their roots as meat-lovers' havens.
If you’re looking for an authentic slice of Zagreb’s food scene beyond the neatly packaged experiences designed for tourists, these hidden roast meat spots offer something genuinely special. They are local institutions, kept alive by the people who eat there regularly, serving food that has remained unchanged for generations. It’s not just about the meal—it’s about stepping into a space where time slows down, where food is made the traditional way, and where you get to experience Zagreb not as a visitor, but as a local.
If you’re a fan of grilled meat, you’ll love what these spots have to offer. Here are some of the most popular dishes you should try:
Location: Antuna Augustinčića 8
Why go?: Famous for its fatty, juicy ćevapi, this place is a cult favorite among locals.
Why go?: A well-kept local secret, known for its authentic Balkan grill experience.
Location: Petrovaradinska 20
Why go?: Known for grilled dishes with perfect seasoning and a cozy, no-frills atmosphere.
Why go?: A small but highly respected local grill house where meat is grilled to perfection.
Location: Barčev Trg 16
Why go?: A legendary ćevapi spot in the Utrina neighborhood, famous for its juicy meat and loyal local following.
Location: Čulinečka cesta 31
Why go?: Traditional, family-run restaurant with unbeatable ćevapi and a loyal customer base.
Location: Bjelovarska 10
Why go?: Famous for huge portions and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Location: Savska 107
Why go?: Specializing in massive, juicy pljeskavica, this is the place for true meat lovers.
Location: Vukovarska 235
Why go?: Simple, authentic, and a go-to spot for a quick but delicious grilled meal.
Final Thoughts: A Taste of Local Zagreb
For those willing to step away from the usual tourist hotspots, Zagreb offers a rich, meat-lovers paradise hidden in its local neighborhoods. These restaurants might not have fancy interiors or Instagrammable presentations, but what they do have is incredible food, an authentic atmosphere, and the warm embrace of Zagreb’s locals.
So next time you visit Zagreb, skip the usual tourist menus and head to one of these hidden roast meat spots—you won’t regret it.
