From pizza-burger hybrids to wagyu-coffee creations – we check out Zagreb Burger Festival

by croatiaweek
September 9, 2023
in Food & Wine

Zagreb Burger Festival has opened (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Eagerly anticipated Burger Festival Zagreb is open in Dr. Franjo Tuđman Park and for the next ten days will be an oasis of great food and fun.

When you set foot onto Festival Square surrounded by the lush greenery of the park, you are instantly transported to a world where nothing is to be missed, and you know you will be happy to return as soon as possible.

Pizza-burger hybrid, wagyu & coffee burger and more - we check out the Zagreb Burger Festival

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Charmingly decorated, with just enough seating places as well as chilling areas, the festival square is circled by 20 food stalls offering burgers of all sorts. There are two large kids’ zones with trampolines and creative kids workshops. There is also the Zagreb Street Art Zone with an exhibition hosting 183 artists from all over the world as well as live art performances and entrance-free Street Art tours around the city.

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

The Festival will offer five entrance-free live concerts, two gratis silent cinema projections and two entrance-free cooking shows.

Karlo Vulin – Boogie Lab (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

As seen on the opening day, visitors are happy to try out everything that this Festival has to offer – and this year it truly is an imaginative and diversified display of delicacies.

Cheesy Burger – Daria Zalović – Jucy Lucy burger – (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Besides food, locals are drawn to this Festival for being able to meet and chat with some of the most famous chefs in Croatia who are rarely seen all together. And, indeed, it’s not every day that you are served with burgers made in front of you by MasterChef judges and a Michelin star chef.

Bistro Funk – Dušan Žarkov – Lamb burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

There is a vast choice to choose from: we tried some of the most extravagant burgers with Wagyu beef and coffee (Full Circle by Marko Palfi) those with blueberry jam (Burger Jam), burgers with shrimp (Picnic Mingle and Fun), a burger with guacamole (4 Burgers), a burger with mushroom ragu (Hidden Wine Bistro by Deni Srdoč), lamb burger with mint (Bistro Funk).

Full Circle by Marko Palfi – Dekadent 2.0 burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Those of you who prefer classic combinations will be happy to try Juicy Lucy (Cheesy Burger), Signature 2.0 from Burger Bar, Creamy Pomodoro (Chefs Burger by Ivan Pažanin), Mum’s, Dad’s, Granny’s or Grandpa’s Polpette Burgers (Bite of Fun by Melkior), Greek burger (Submarine), or Grandmaster Smash at Boogie Lab, where you can see them kneading and baking your brioche bun in front of you.

Ivan Pažanin – Creamy pomodoro (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Melkior Bašić – Dad’s Polpette Burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

One of the stalls is dedicated only to making fries and sweet potato fries with numerous toppings and sauces. If you are searching for a kick of Asian flavours there is Spicy Korean burger (Burger Institute by Mate Janković).

Spicy Korean burger – Burger Institute by Mate Janković (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

This is also a perfect opportunity for you to try out plant-based burgers and plant-based eggs that Beg’s Plant Based is serving every day from noon to 4 PM as Brunch Burger.

Picnic Mingle _ Fun – Blackie (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

You can also try the Brunch Bubbles combo served by Picninc Mingle and Fun’s bubbly cocktails together with Beg’s Brunch Burger.

4 Burgers – El Guaco burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Burger Jam – Smokey Blueberry Jam

One of the stalls is Mrs. Fogg to all the locals very well-known and loved pizza and bar, that serves a unique dish named Pannicarno. It is a hybrid of panuozzo and meat patty served in double-baked pizza dough in a shape of a bun.

Mrs. Fogg – Pannicarno (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

At the beginning or the end of your tour through Burger Festival (depending on where you started) you will find Gingle Bells , famous cocktail heaven and this year they are proud to offer TerraGino Fusion, alongside to already much loved Mojitos, London Mules, Skinny Beach and other mixed beauties.

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

If you are in the mood for dessert go and visit pink truck Pri suncu because they will delight you with artisanal gelatos that are incredibly creamy but light and come in creative combinations of flavours like almond and honey.

Submarine – Greek burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Central Bar is well stocked with premium liquors, Staropramen beer, top wines and non-alcoholic beverages.

Boogie Lab – Grandmaster Smash burger (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

When you try and find your favourite burger, you are invited to vote for it by scanning the QR code displayed at each stall and the winner will be announced on the last day of the Festival, on Sunday, September 17th.