Flavours of Croatian Tradition guide launched

ZAGREB, 16 Jan (Hina) – The diversity of Croatia’s gastronomic offer, with traditional flavours forming an important part of it, represents a strong motive for travellers to visit Croatia, it was emphasised on Wednesday at the presentation of the guide Flavours of Croatian Tradition.

On that occasion, the Heart of Tradition awards were given to hospitality businesses that promote traditional Croatian cuisine.

The gastro guide, the first of its kind in Croatia, presents 162 traditional hospitality establishments: 155 restaurants and seven tasting rooms from 14 counties, which have been included in the Flavours of Croatian Tradition project through their local tourist boards and restaurateurs.

The establishments featured in the guide were selected on the basis of their offer of traditional dishes and drinks, the richness of their menus, and two years of guest reviews and ratings across several platforms, said project manager Borislav Šimenc.

The Flavours of Croatian Tradition project has been running for ten years.

To date, two catalogues of traditional establishments have been published, and now the first proper guide has been released.

It is expected to become a valuable tool and a pathway to top-quality venues that respect heritage and traditional flavours.

The project was launched in 2016 by Borislav Šimenc and the Varaždin-based destination management company DMK Vall 042, with the involvement of county tourist boards and hospitality providers.

In 2025, the Croatian National Tourist Board’s Head Office joined in the project as the main partner.

According to Šimenc, this is one of the strongest examples of public–private partnership in Croatian tourism.

The Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ), Kristjan Staničić, said that the project promotes the flavours and experiences of Croatia’s rich wine and gastronomic tradition.

The first Heart of Tradition awards within the Flavours of Croatian Tradition project were presented to 14 hospitality establishments.

The awards went to Krčma Gabreku from Zagreb County; Klijet Lojzekova hiža from Krapina-Zagorje County; Zlatne gorice from Varaždin County; and Gornja vinska klet from Koprivnica-Križevci County.

Heart of Tradition awards were also given to Kod bake from Bjelovar-Bilogora County, Moslavačka priča from Sisak-Moslavina County, Zlatni klas from Virovitica-Podravina County, Stari fenjeri from Požega-Slavonia County, and Stupnički dvori from Brod-Posavina County.

Among the award winners are also the Aquarius venue from Vukovar-Srijem County, Ribič from Lika-Senj County, and Stari Puntijar from the City of Zagreb.

A special award was given to the Zagreb restaurant Potkova, which has been part of the project from the very beginning and where the presentation of the guide and the awards ceremony were held.