Croatia’s best restaurants named at awards in Zagreb

by croatiaweek
September 30, 2025
in Food & Wine

(Photo: Korak)

ZAGREB, 30 September 2025 – In front of a packed crowd at Zagreb’s Peti Kupe, the prestigious Dobri Restorani Awards were presented on Monday evening, celebrating the very best of Croatia’s gastronomy for the 14th consecutive year.

The awards, organised by Dobra hrana, once again highlighted the country’s top restaurants and chefs across four main categories, while also recognising individual excellence with special prizes, including Chef of the Year and the first-ever award for pastry.

Best Restaurants in Croatia

After visiting more than 120 restaurants nationwide, the jury awarded prizes in the following categories:

Traditional cuisine

• 1st place: Dvor (Split) – chef Hrvoje Zirojević accepted the award

• 2nd place: Konoba Jakan (Jasenice)

• 3rd place: Konoba Griblja (Sukošan)

Creative urban cuisine

• 1st place: Fogo by Bekal (Poreč) – a new project by Valamar with chefs Tvrtko Šakota and Marko Turković

• 2nd place: Zijavica (Mošćenička Draga)

• 3rd place: Visiani (Šibenik)

Hotel fine dining

• 1st place: Vila Rovi (Krk) – chef Marin Pleše

• 2nd place: Cap Aureo (Rovinj)

• 3rd place: Zinfandel’s (Esplanade Zagreb Hotel)

Fine dining

• 1st place: Boškinac (Novalja) – chef Matija Bregeš

• 2nd place: Korak (Plešivica)

• 3rd place: LD Restaurant (Korčula)

Special Individual Awards

In addition to restaurants, the evening also shone a spotlight on individuals making a mark on Croatia’s culinary scene:

• Chef of the Year: Matija Bogdan – greeted with thunderous applause on announcement

• Young Chef Award (“Andrej Barbieri”): Jurica Obrol (Ganeum, Lovran)

• Pastry Chef of the Year: Nika Čavlović (ManO2, Zagreb)

• Grand Prix for outstanding contribution: Tvrtko Šakota

• Best Wine List: Cap Aureo Signature Restaurant (Rovinj)

The event began with an opening address from Dobra hrana editor Gordan Zečić, before hosts and guests from the culinary and hospitality world joined in celebrating Croatia’s most innovative and inspiring chefs.