Guide to ‘Fooling Around’ on Zagreb’s most beautiful terrace this Advent

Oleander terrace (Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

The Advent in Zagreb spectacle FOOLING AROUND will transform the Oleander terrace of the Esplanade Hotel into the epicenter of the city’s social life, featuring a phenomenal gastronomic scene, top chefs, and excellent musical programs.

This December, the most beautiful terrace in Zagreb will host a dazzling cosmopolitan holiday event. FOOLING AROUND, now in its third year on the Oleander terrace of the Esplanade Hotel, presents the Sparkling Edition, where from December 1st to January 1st, 2024, everyone eager for good company and unforgettable entertainment in a enchanting holiday atmosphere can indulge.

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

FOOLING AROUND: Sparkling Edition adorns Zagreb’s Advent with a brilliantly decorated location, a rich musical program, gastronomic creations from renowned Croatian chefs, and a lavish selection of sparkling wines to toast the outgoing year and express sincere wishes for the upcoming one.

The concept of high-class cuisine presented in a street-style version with delicacies signed by key figures in the Croatian gastronomic scene is unique to the epicenter of the city’s social life, at this simultaneously elegant and urban Advent location, the haven for hedonists, gastronomes, and holiday enthusiasts alike.

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

This year’s edition of the most charming Advent festival will enrich its creative gourmet concept with Ana Grgić Tomić, the multi-award-winning chef of Esplanade, who holds a special recognition from the World Gastronomic Organization and a green Michelin star for the sustainable concept of Zinfandel’s restaurant. Ana, with her team, is making her third consecutive appearance on the Fooling Around street scene, bringing delicious dishes such as cod crostata and hot croquettes with kulen, along with Esplanade’s štrukle, which never fail to make the list of beloved dishes.

(Photo: Sandro Sklepić)

Chef Deni Srdoč, recipient of Michelin stars for two restaurants, will exclusively offer his creative signature dishes to the Zagreb audience during FOOLING AROUND, dishes otherwise available to guests of the Hidden wine bistro in Rijeka. Burgers, lamb pita bread, and a sea hot dog will be served with unexpectedly entertaining accompaniments.

The street food concept by Mario Mandarić, La Porchetteria, is inspired by Italian porchetta sandwiches prepared by this chef with extensive international experience, now the head chef of Noel, Zagreb’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Chefs Matija Bogdan & Marko Palfi, inspired by last year’s collaboration, continue with their proven successful fusion of culinary skills.

These two top chefs will present a concept based on Middle Eastern cuisine, sure to delight fans of various spices. Vid Nikolić, recognized as the foremost authority in the world of Asian cuisine on the domestic gastronomic scene, will premiere a part of the offer that will announce KIYOMI – a new restaurant and bar in the heart of Zagreb, a unique environment dedicated to flavors and gastronomy with style. Chef Mati Janković has succeeded in turning one of the most popular Advent dishes into a true gastronomic pleasure through his popular Sausage Institute.

This year, guests will enjoy the finest handmade sausages according to his recipe, combined with specially designed side dishes. The irresistible composition of seven gastro huts is completed by the favorite, traditional, and sung-about Dalmatian delicacy – Fritula. Whose signature will Fritula bear? The one who sang about it. Fritula by Grašo remains the loudest, and this Advent, immersed in unexpected flavors, it becomes the most delicious.

There is no better time of the year than the December days to toast to everything behind and ahead of us. Along with the richest selection of Croatian and international sparkling wines at FOOLING AROUND: Sparkling Edition, festival guests will warm up with hot cocktails and an exclusive selection of drinks at the Bubble Bar, as well as with the best domestic craft Old Pilot’s Gin, prepared by the Gingle Bells team.

The Advent magic filled with irresistible scents and flavors that this gastronomic composition will spread will be rounded off by a rich musical program powered by OTP bank, whose aim is to spread the holiday vibe, dance, and sing with performances by Novi Fosili, Swingers, and Soul Fingers. Two evenings are reserved for performances by fantastic tribute bands: Abba Real Tribute Band and Dino Dvornik Tribute, and numerous popular DJs from the Zagreb club scene will be responsible for a consistently good atmosphere.

FOOLING AROUND: Sparkling Edition this Advent will be the place to create unforgettable memories, dazzling gastronomic, and musical stories. It will be a meeting place for smiling faces and the creation of happy stories in a magical holiday atmosphere.

The opening of FOOLING AROUND: Sparkling Edition is on December 1st at 5:00 PM, and the festival will be open every day from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Follow all details about the rich gastronomic and musical content on FOOLING AROUND social media: Instagram and Facebook.