Best Burgers in Zagreb – Insider’s Guide

By Mate Lovrić

So where do you go for the best hamburger in Zagreb? That answer is keenly debated and always changing, but here are 8 places worth checking out.

1. Burgeraj

Purgeraj (photo credit: Facebook)

Using a play on the slang word for Zagreb locals ‘Purgeri’, Burgeraj’s real American style burgers come in 5 tasty styles – hamburger, bacon cheeseburger, onion jam, pepper jam and tamari mushroom (all come with homemade fries). The caramelized onion and pepper jam burger is my favourite. One warning, if you are hungry you need to go for the triple burger as the buns are a touch small. Burgeraj also does a number of American IPA’s (India Pale Ale).

Location: Preradovićeva 13

2. Bistro Šalša

Bistro Šalša (photo credit: Salsa)

Tucked away in a side street in Trešnjevka in Zagreb’s west, Bistro Šalša offer a simple daily burger menu, usually two burger choices. Their 200g of ground steak, green salad, panceta, roasted fried paprika, local smoked cheese, fresh tomatoes, pickle, onion with joghurt dressing burger comes with homemade fries and does not disappoint. Bistro Šalša also have Nova runda craft beer on tap.

Location: Kostelska 11

3. Rocket Burger

Rocket Burger (photo credit: Facebook)

Run by passionate Canadian foodies from Vancouver, all Rocket Burger’s beef is ground on site using only prime cuts and not trims, meaning customers are served with the freshest and tastiest 100% beef patties, and it’s not the only thing freshly made on site. Barclay and Briana make all the sauces used for their burgers (BBQ, ketchup, mayonnaise), the hamburger buns, using only fresh milk and butter, and they even make their own pickles. The Cheddar Bacon Supreme – Cheddar cheese, bacon, beer-caramelized onions and Rodeo sauce is mouth-watering.

Location: Tkalčićeva 44

4. Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine (photo credit: YellowSubmarine)

Located just off Zagreb’s main high street, Yellow Submarine’s burgers are made exclusively from organic, locally grown ingredients. Their burgers don’t contain additives, antibiotics or GMOs. I recommend the country burger (100% pure, once minced meat, fresh cabbage, tomato, caramelized onion, škripavac cheese, crispy bacon, mustard and honey sauce). They also do the 1.3kg giant burger. The atmosphere is also vibrant and the staff extremely friendly.

Location: Frankopanska 11

5. Papa’s

Papa’s (photo: Papa’s Facebook)

Papa’s is a burger bar which has a sports bar atmosphere inside and a relaxing terrace out, Papa’s have more of a ‘Croatian’ taste to their burgers due to the seasoning of the patties (pljeskavice). Their MOM’s FAVORITE BURGER (100% beef pattie, lettuce,tomato, fresh cucumber, cottage cheese, and chipotle sauce) is delicious. Condiments, such as mayo and Heinz ketchup, are freely on hand to use which is a plus.

Location: Tuškanac 1

6. Maximilian 

Maximilian (photo credit: Facebook Maximilian)

If gourmet burgers are your thing then you should check out Maximilian’s specialty burger. Black buns, onion rings, spinach, rested beef from Meet the King, French blue cheese, bacon and coleslaw salad all included in their tasty burgers which arrives on a board. A great combo and very filing.

Location: Radnička cesta 37

7. Craft Room

Craft Room (photo credit: craftroom)

Better known for its 13 beer taps and over 150 different types of beer, Craft Room offers serves some decent food. The added standout of their burgers is the fantastic homemade onion relish which is in the burger. It is worth ordering just for the relish.

Location: Opatovina 35