The best Croatian restaurants of 2023 named
- by croatiaweek
- in Food & Wine
(Photo: Korak)
ZAGREB, 03 October 2023 – The best restaurants and chefs in Croatia for 2023 have been awarded last night in Zagreb.
The awards, now in their 12th year, are organised by leading Croatian daily newspaper Jutarnji list and magazine Dobra hrana. The main partner sponsors this year were the Croatian National Tourist Board.
The goal of the awards is to recognise those that excel and maintain consistent quality, to acknowledge those who contribute to the development of the culinary scene in Croatia through their hard work, and to elevate those with the potential to achieve more, as well as to uncover hidden gems that often go unnoticed.
This year, awards were given out in four categories: traditional restaurant, creative urban cuisine restaurant, fine dining restaurant, and high-category hotel restaurant.
Additionally, awards were presented for Chef of the Year, the “Andrej Barbieri” award for the best up-and-coming young chef, and the recognition of “Wine List of the Year.”
It’s important to mention that each restaurant which was visited was evaluated based on four criteria – the quality of food and service, the ambiance, and value for money. The final decision on the winners was made by the jury after lengthy and spirited deliberation.
In the Traditional Restaurant category, the finalists were Vinarija Josić in Zmajevac, Mala hiža in Mačkovec, and Tač in Zagreb.
The first place went to Tač, the well-known family restaurant run by Vesna and Tihomir Miletić. Tač is located in Vrhovec, and according to the jury, it represents the epitome of the best in traditional Croatian cuisine.
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Their continuous quest for top-quality ingredients, collaboration with local producers, farmers, and fishermen, along with precise execution in the kitchen, earned them the top spot. Their excellent service and intriguing wine selection are also worth mentioning.
In the Creative Urban Cuisine Restaurant category, the top three spots were taken by Zijavica in Mošćenička Dragi, Sopal in Zagreb, and Ignis in Korčula.
The victory was awarded to Zijavica, owned by the talented duo Stiven and Tea Vunić. Despite being called a tavern, their cuisine is far from traditional. They promote the flavors of the sea and elevate tradition to a whole new level in their own playful, witty, original, and innovative way.
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The Fine Dining category posed a significant challenge for the jury. In recent years, so many excellent restaurants have emerged that choosing just one was a truly tough task. In fierce competition, involving two Zagreb restaurants, ManO2 and Nav, as well as Boškinac in Pag, ManO2 emerged victorious.
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After securing the second place in the same category last year and winning the Chef of the Year title, Hrvoje Kroflin and his team reached the pinnacle this year with bold cooking, powerful flavors, harmony with seasonality, continuous refinement in both techniques and presentation.
In the High-Category Hotel Restaurants category, the top three finalists were Alfred Keller at Hotel Alhambra in Mali Lošinj, Spinnaker in Poreč, and Zinfandel’s at Esplanade in Zagreb. The title of the best went to Alfred Keller. Chef Michael Gollenz received the award for their fantastic menu, exceptional wine list, and impeccable service.
Alfred Keller (Photo: LH&V)
The jury, comprised of the best Croatian chefs, most of whom were present at the ceremony, selected the Young Chef on the Rise, who was awarded the “Andrej Barbieri” prize, in honour of the late great chef. After tallying the votes from the Good Food editorial team, Grgo Bačelić was declared the winner. Today, he leads the kitchen at the Visiani restaurant in Šibenik.
Bačelić began his culinary journey at the age of 15 and took significant steps in the kitchen at Pelegrini restaurant in Šibenik, under the mentorship of Chef Rudolf Štefan. He continued his career at the popular Kut Ivane Bekavac, and now, the talented, young, and exceptionally humble Grgo Bačelić rightfully leads his own kitchen.
The Chef of the Year honour went to Bernard Korak. The chef of the family restaurant Korak on Plešivica relies on the traditions of the region in his kitchen, and his plates leave no one indifferent.
(Photo: Korak)
Every year, a special award is given to a restaurant that pays special attention to its wine list and approach to wine. The Wine List of the Year award this time went to the Neba restaurant at the Hilton Costabella hotel. The award was accepted by sommelier Tomislav Mikinac.
