Centre of Zagreb will become Little Italy

by croatiaweek
May 9, 2023
in Food & Wine

From 18th till 28th of May, J.J. Strossmayer’s Square in Croatia’s capital will host the second Pizza Festival Zagreb that brings creative and rich gastronomic experience, irresistible music delights, charity events and celebrities

Zagreb, May the 9th 2023 – Zagreb’s citizens and visitors will soon have the opportunity to enjoy supreme Italian pizza, have a romantic date in Italian style with backdrop of dreamy canzone, while appreciating unbelievably creamy artisanal gelato or a proper classic Negroni.

This unique festival dedicated to the most famous dish in the world will transform Zagreb’s J.J. Strossmayer square into a proper Little Italy.

Centre of Zagreb will become Little Italy

AL Dente (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Meticulously selected, experienced team of chefs and pizzaiolos will gather just for this occasion, and offer their newest creations. Apart from pizzas of all kinds and styles that you could imagine, they will delight you with original pastas, sourdough focaccias, and artisanal gelatos.

This truly unique gastronomic experience will be offered by: Mrs. Fogg pizzeria and bar – with their special Festival edition of pizzas in baking tin: Margherita, signature Pizza Bacon-Friarelli, Pepperoni, and one special kind every day.

Mrs Fogg – Pepperoni (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Mrs Fogg – Bacon-Friarelli (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Mrs Fogg – Margherita (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

The uniqueness of their pizza, among other things, lies in the five-day fermentation of the dough, love and enthusiasm. Italian restaurant Al Dente will present pizza Contemporanea that is being described as contemporary Napoletana. They will also offer mouthwatering Pizza Fritta.

AL Dente (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

You can expect to be delighted with creative selection of unparalleled pizzas made by passionate pizza enthusiasts from Pizza Social Club, followed closely by Full Circle Pizza by Marko Palfi i Lana Bene. Marin Medak and RougeMarin will be making five kinds of pizza Siciliana that was one of the greatest hits at last year’s Pizza Festival.

RougeMarinMafia_Palermo (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

RougeMarinMafia_Capo_di_Tutti_Capi (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić will seduce you with 6 kinds of pizza and 5 kinds of pasta. Specialty that they are keen to share with you is Wheel of Cheese pasta – homemade pasta immersed in a wheel of Grana Padano cheese.

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić – Crispy bacon (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić – Basil (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić – Grana Padano (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić – Stracciatella

Bite of Fun by Melkior Bašić – Spicy (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Poma Food Boutique will amaze you with completely new and creative concept and tastes of their Sourdough Focaccias: Pistachio, Roast beef, Truffle and Caprese.

Poma Food Boutique – Prosciutto (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Poma Food Boutique – Caprese (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

With the raising trend of plant-based diet, flexitarian way of living, caring about the environment and our bodies Beg’s Plant Based are fully dedicated and invested in becoming a small window of big plant-based world out there.

Beg’s Plant Based – Quattro Formaggi (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Beg’s Plant Based pizzas (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

They will amaze you with combinations like Meet The Fig and Beg’s Salmon & Avocado pizzas, and are welcoming everyone – weather you are a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or a hardcore meat lover – because for all of you they have something of interest. To complete this Festa Italiana there will be Pizza Fritta – Ispirato al Napoli and Luxury Gelato Pri suncu with their artisanal premium ice creams.

Luxury Gelato Pri suncu (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

You will be able to enjoy full flavour and balanced textures of perfectly smooth and creamy pistachio, almond and honey, baileys, white chocolate with cinnamon and cocoa. They will also offer Croatia’s first popsicles.

Luxury Gelato Pri suncu (Photo: Pizza Festival press)

Musical part of program Festa Italiana is created by Ozren Kanceljak and is entirely dedicated to Italian music.

On Thursday, the18th of May DJ Kanca will entertain you with FESTA FELICITÀ, programe that includes hits from Dean Martin to Maneskin. On Friday the 19th of May you can enjoy in TUTTI FRUTTI BY DJ Robert Mareković, Saturday 20th of May is reserved for a musical delight by The Griff ZUCCHERO Celebration Band – genius musicians from Istria and their frontman Goran Griff Kauzlarić. This singer-songwriter, talented guitar and sax player also looks like a twin brother of Zuchhero and promise you unforgettable night of fun.

(Photo credit: Sandro Sklepić)

Sunday the 21st of May will be hosting Festa Domenica, Monday the 22nd L’ITALIANO, Tuesday 23rd PORTO AZZURRO, and on Wednesday the 24th of May GIORNO FESTIVO. After DJ Kanca’s BUONA SERA onThursday the 25th, on Friday the 26th you can dance at GLORIA PARTY by DJ Stanko Bondža. Saturday the 27th is reserved for DJ Filip Jelaš and Jovannotti Beach Party. Festival will end on Sunday, the 28th of May with FESTA DOMENICA.

To make sure that nobody stays thirsty there will be Gingle Bells with their amazing signature cocktails, Šoškić Winery will present their new premium wines and a Central Bar will offer you ice cold Staropramen beer.

We are extremely proud to be able to announce Celebrity Pizza Challenge for Down Association. During 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th for two hours (14-16h) celebrities will be making their own signature pizzas. By trying pizzas made by actor Goran Bogdan, influencer Sandi Pego, TV presenters Antonija Blaće and Minea you will contribute to Down Association – those are more than great reasons not to miss this challenge, organisers said.

(Photo credit: Sandro Sklepić)

During the whole Festival there will be Zagi Kids Zone – offering creative workshops, magician shows, trampoline and bungee trampoline.

Join us at this unique Festa Italiana starting on the 18th of May at 14:00 hours when the Festival will be officially opened by an Italian Embassy representative. Come and visit every day from noon till midnight, entrance is free and a smile on your face is guaranteed.