One of the world’s best vegan restaurants has arrived in Zagreb

by croatiaweek
December 30, 2024
in Food & Wine

(Photo: Biomania)

100% plant-based, sustainable, and proven delicious, the Brač-based restaurant BioMania, ranked in the top 10 vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the world according to TripAdvisor, opened on Tkalčićeva Street on December 28.

BioMania, a 100% plant-based restaurant that has been at the top of TripAdvisor for some time, is opening its first franchise in Zagreb.

The restaurant, which first opened in 2018 on the Croatian island of Brač, opened its doors at Tkalčićeva 65 on December 28.

The restaurant sources the majority of its ingredients from local family farms in Zagreb and Dalmatia.

For the second consecutive year, it has been awarded TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best recognition and a position within the top 10 vegan and vegetarian restaurants globally, with an exemplary rating of 5.0.

This success can be attributed to its innovative cuisine and flavors that satisfy even the most discerning palates. As a result, the Croatian BioMania restaurant has been included among the ranks of world-renowned plant-based restaurants, including Chia Vegan Kitchen from Cusco, Blue Bar from Barcelona, India’s Time Traveler, and Veggie Pause from Morocco.

(Photo: Biomania)

100% organic, plant-based, and ready to become your favorite restaurant

Six years ago, Dario Kožul launched the first plant-based street food concept in Croatia. He began in a beach house at the newly formed food court on the Zlatni Rat beach.

A year later, he opened a bistro in the center of Bol. From the outset, BioMania has distinguished itself with a unique approach that emphasizes sustainable principles, quality, and flavor.

The menu now includes 100% plant-based and organic omelets, burgers, gnocchi with truffles, bureks, and other seasonal favorites such as sarma and plum dumplings.

(Photo: Biomania)

BioMania has been a leader in the vegan-vegetarian culinary scene for years, and the new location at Tkalčićeva Street will allow it to continue that tradition.

BioMania has expanded its sustainable, healthy, and organic offerings with a selection of biodynamic wines, produced naturally without additives and with an extremely low sulfite content.

(Photo: Biomania)

BioMania Does Not Take Its Success for Granted

The team of enthusiasts behind this restaurant are justifiably proud of their use of the word “healthy” in their marketing, which is backed up by their hard work and the fact that all the ingredients they use in the preparation of dishes are organically grown.

This means that they are completely devoid of GMOs, antibiotics, and chemicals.

BioMania sources over 90% of its fruits and vegetables from local farmers with whom they have established strong relationships. For items not available in Croatia, such as bananas, quinoa, and avocados, the restaurant partners with certified organic farms and verified producers. Additionally, the majority of dishes are gluten-free.

(Photo: Biomania)

Food is of Better Quality When Sourced from Sustainable Fields

While many merely discuss the issue, the BioMania team has been putting its philosophy and principles into practice on a daily basis for several years now.

At the core of their operations is a commitment to sustainability and the implementation of sustainable practices across a range of areas, including the impact on the local community, waste management, energy and water usage, circular economy initiatives, and operational procedures.

How does this manifest in practice?

By procuring food from local producers, BioMania provides support to local organic agriculture and frequently promotes the work of these producers through various channels.

The network of OPG suppliers is extensive, with produce sourced from locations across the country. Lettuce, beetroot, Swiss chard, and pumpkin are sourced from Sveti Petar Čvrstec, microgreens from Poljana Čičko, sweet potatoes from Pakrac, hazelnuts from Koprivnica, and biodynamic wines from Stari Grad on Hvar.

In the kitchen, BioMania adheres to a zero-waste policy, separating waste for optimal recycling and composting.

(Photo: Biomania)

In terms of water, their objective is to reduce consumption. What sets BioMania apart from the competition is a patented water filtration system that not only purifies water but also restores its original structure.

Zagreb’s plant-based dining options has now expanded by 80 seats. The city’s plant-based offerings will include 25 pet-friendly seats on the terrace at Tkalčićeva Street 65, with service from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.