Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian martial arts legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split
- by croatiaweek
- in Food & Wine
![](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/branko-cikatric-bistro-tigra-split-croatia.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
The family of the legendary late Croatian fighter Branko Cikatić have opened a bistro in his honour in the city of Split.
Cikatić, who was nicknamed The Croatian Tiger during his illustrious career, was the first Croatian-born fighter to achieve international success and the first K-1 World Grand Prix Champion.
Bistro Tigar (Tiger in Croatian) is a family-run gastro-museum where guests can enjoy local cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, and see up close history, memories and achievements of Branko Cikatić’s great sporting career.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-1.jpg?x69906)
Bistro Tigar (Photo: Private album)
His belts, trophies, martial art equipment and memorabilia are on display at the bistro in cabinets.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-2.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
Cikatić surprised the martial arts world by taking the 1993 K-1 Grand Prix tournament by storm, knocking out all three of his opponents in one evening. He is the oldest winner of the K-1 Grand Prix at 38 years and 208 days.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-4.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-7.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
He went on to fight also in the Pride Fighting Championships before trying his hand at acting towards the end of his career, playing a villain in the 1997 movie Skyscraper, starring Anna Nicole Smith.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/tigra-bistro.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
In 2018, Cikatić had a pulmonary embolism and whilst in hospital he acquired an infection causing sepsis and was later diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He died on 23 March 2020 aged 65.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-6.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
“We have been working hard to open this bistro and make the dream and wish of our late father and husband come true,” said Ivana Cikatić.
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-3.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
![Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split](https://www.croatiaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Bistro-Tigar-branko-cikatic-5.jpg?x69906)
(Photo: Private album)
Bistro Tigar is located at Ulica domovinskog rata 54 in Split.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 10:00-17:00
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