Croatian restaurants around the world: The Concord

by croatiaweek
November 7, 2024
in Food & Wine

(Photo: The Concord)

In the new series ‘Croatian restaurants around the world’ we showcase places where you can enjoy Croatian cuisine abroad.

Our next stop is Sydney, Australia, where The Concod recently opened. The restaurant is part of the new Croatian club which officially opened its doors back in June.

The restaurant combines the warmth of tradition with a contemporary Australian-Croatian fusion menu, attracting a wide range of patrons.

(Photo: The Concord)

“We designed our club to cater for all three generations, older members our babe and dide, middle aged families with kids and the 20-35 year olds, with a modern, comfortable family friendly hotel vibe. Our menu has been inspired by Hatted Chef Tomislav Martinovic who has created a modern Australian-Croatian blend,” they revealed to us.

(Photo: The Concord)

A Diverse Customer Base

Since its opening, the restaurant has attracted a membership of 9,500, a reflection of its broad appeal. About 70% of these patrons are non-Croatian, while 30% identify with Croatian heritage.

(Photo: The Concord)

The menu’s tasty offerings have been met with enthusiasm, with some dishes quickly becoming customer favourites.

(Photo: The Concord)

“The locals love the menu as its different to the other cuisines in the local area. Our pizzas, grilled squid, Croatian mixed grill and Lipinje – Croatian flatbread – are very popular. Decision is easy, if your hungry the Croatian mixed grill, if you want something light the grilled squid or Lepinje,” they add.

(Photo: The Concord)

Curating the Menu and Seasonal Specials

The restaurant’s menu is thoughtfully curated to ensure a mix of Croatian authenticity and modern appeal. The selections are updated every six months, with additional weekly specials to keep the dining experience fresh and exciting.

(Photo: The Concord)

This approach ensures regular guests always have something new to try while keeping the tried-and-true favourites.

(Photo: The Concord)

Challenges in Consistency and Seasonality

Running a restaurant that combines high-quality food with consistency does often present its own challenges.

(Photo: The Concord)

“Our biggest challenge is delivering a consistent high quality food seven days a week considering chef rosters along with fresh produce in different seasons,” they say.

Croatian restaurants around the world: The Concord

(Photo: The Concord)

The Concord,m Sydney bistro

Future Plans

Looking forward, the restaurant aims to expand its offerings by hosting regional tasting nights, featuring cuisine from different parts of Croatia as well as broader European specialties.

(Photo: The Concord)

“Our plan is to keep reinventing the menu to coincide with seasons and events within club. We are also planning regional cuisine tasting nights from all different parts of Croatia but also different parts of Europe to appease the local ethnic community,” they conclude.