VIDEO: Zlatko Dalić opens unique restaurant in Varaždin, Modrić and Kovačić attend opening 

Varaždin (Photo: Thaler Tamas/CC-4.0)

Croatia football coach Zlatko Dalić has opened a restaurant in the city of Varaždin. Attending the soft opening to give their support on Sunday were national team players Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić.

Called ”The Family”, the restaurant spans approximately 600 square meters with around 150 seats. The restaurant is also a sort of museum dedicated to the Croatian national football team, from its beginnings to the present, with a particular focus on Dalić’s era.

Nowhere else will you find so many Croatian jerseys from matches that have written the history of the Croatian national team. A special wall is dedicated to the team captains, followed by goalkeepers and carefully selected jerseys from every competition Croatia has played in. 

“I didn’t primarily think about the restaurant. This is a presentation of the history of our national team, with over 40 original jerseys all in one place, starting with the one against the USA, medals, photos, memories, my story in the team, and the story of family. It had been brewing in me for a long time, to create something. I kept receiving gifts, shirts, jerseys, awards… I was looking for a way to bring it all together in one place. Thanks to everyone who helped me with this idea. Everyone who comes to Varaždin will come to see this story. There’s nothing like this anywhere in Croatia, Dalić told daily Vecernji list reported.

Medals from two World Cups and the UEFA Nations League Finals hold a special place in the restaurant. Dalić deemed it important for these three medals to be prominently displayed and has revealed some of his highly significant mementos to the public, such as books given to him by fans or various organisations, often bearing dedications. 

He proudly pointed out those of religious content and stories about the journey of the Croatian military unit Tigers, and books about his home town of Livno. At the same location, berets from the Puma and Fourth Split Guard Brigades, a police cap received prior to the trip to Russia, all stand.

Descending the stairs, visitors are greeted by a statue of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by dozens of rosaries and religious images and icons, all gifts received by Dalić in recent years on his journey with the national team. 

Within the three-story establishment, visitors can witness a significant part of Croatian football history, with enlarged and recognisable photographs of celebrations.

With this project completed in just a few months, the city of Varaždin has gained a special treasure. Because anyone who visits this city will want to see Zlatko Dalić’s world-renowned story all in one place. 

Along the way, Dalić and his team paid attention to every detail, not only in the architectural and technical aspects of the venue but also in the gastronomic offerings, which are exclusively comprised of Croatian products. In this carefully crafted concept that even the most prestigious international destinations would envy, you have the opportunity to purchase authentic Croatian food products and Croatian national team merchandise.

You can’t miss the restaurant; it’s right in the center of Varaždin, with an old Golf parked out front, which Dalić purchased at a charity auction two years ago. It’s adorned with Croatian checkers and signed by Croatian national team players.