Fooling Around is back: What to expect at Zagreb’s Advent hotspot

(Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Zagreb’s favourite festive afterwork spot is gearing up for a bold new edition. At a relaxed preview event held at Esplanade’s 1925 Lobby & Cocktail Bar, organisers Kokoš ili jaje, MPG and Hotel Esplanade Zagreb revealed what visitors can expect when Fooling Around by Fuliranje returns from 26 November 2025 to 1 January 2026.

This year’s standout novelty is the return of the beloved holiday Orient Express, transformed into a creative nine-carriage concept where each “wagon” pairs a trendy restaurant with an exciting bar.

The result is a fresh mix-and-match experience that blends top bistro talents, established chefs, celebrated mixologists and guest bars.

5Kupe (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

The new bistro concept champions relaxed yet thoughtful cuisine built on quality ingredients and inventive flavour pairings.

Expect a fusion of modern bistro classics, signature creations from rising culinary stars and a notably rich gluten-free and vegan offering.

Acrobat (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Alongside delicious bites, the terrace will host popular club programmes RNB Confusion and FRKA, lively Latin dance sessions and bubbly weekend brunches.

BioMania (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Guests at the preview sampled dishes by Esplanade’s Ana Grgić Tomić, including crispy salmon sticks and prosciutto croquettes, alongside iconic štrukli and Mirjana Špoljar’s warming chocolate mousse.

Esplanade (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Cocktails took centre stage too, led by the aromatic winter selection of the Esplanade 1925 team. The headline drink, The Štrukli Affair, blends yoghurt liqueur, salted caramel, pear juice and gin, topped with a parmesan crisp.

Esplanade (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

A long list of standout collaborations adds to the appeal. Michelin-starred Noel* returns with festive street-gourmet twists, Peti Kupe x Bora Winery brings Italian-inspired sandwiches and fine wines, while BioMania introduces a fully vegan, organic and gluten-free gastro wagon.

NOEL* (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Debeli Dabar x Urania Bar offers comforting seasonal street food, SoHo Sushi x KOi Bar delivers Japanese flavours and winter cocktails, and Melt x Ginglebells add festive brunches and warm gin classics.

SoHo Sushi (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Acrobat Svijet Vina presents KOBE specialities, while Mate Janković’s Institute za kobasice keeps Advent tradition alive with signature sausages in soft brioche rolls.

Urania Bar (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

This year’s Central Station features hot cocktails, boozy hot chocolates and guest bars from across the region, plus a sweet highlight by pastry star Juraj Klepić.

Debeli Dabar (Photo: Fooling Around PR)

(Photo: Fooling Around PR)

Daily programming promises something new every evening, culminating in festive celebrations marking the Esplanade’s 100th anniversary.

Place: Oleander terrace hotel Esplanade, Zagreb
From: 26 November 2025 – 01 January 2026
Times: Mon–Fri 12:00–23:00h, Sat–Sun 11:00–23:00h
Christmas: 17:00–24:00h
Boxing Day: 12:00–24:00h
New Year’s: 12:00–21:00h
Entry: Free