Zagreb’s Pizza Festival returns in May – what to expect

by croatiaweek
April 29, 2025
in Food & Wine

(Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Zagreb will once again host one of its most popular culinary events this spring, as the Pizza Festival returns to Trg dr. Franje Tuđmana from 8 to 18 May 2025.

Now in its fourth edition, the festival celebrates Italy’s most iconic dish through a variety of street food offerings, entertainment, and cultural experiences.

This year’s event brings together 11 carefully selected food vendors, offering a diverse range of Italian-inspired pizza, pasta, desserts, and drinks – as well as a full programme of workshops, film screenings, live music and family-friendly activities.

(Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Food Highlights

Visitors can look forward to traditional Napoletana-style pizzas, Sicilian sfincione, and fried calzone, along with modern takes on Italian classics and new flavour combinations created especially for the festival.

Al Dente, a respected Zagreb-based pizzeria, will serve six pizzas that merge Napoletana and Canotto styles, featuring air-filled crusts and premium ingredients such as Fior di Latte mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes. Their offer includes Margherita di Bufala, Prosciutto & Stracciatella, and the spicy Piccante 2.0.

Al Dente (Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Pizza Re, known for its authentic 48-hour fermented dough and AVPN-certified flour, returns with five pizzas. Among them, the Mortadela pizza stands out with its rich pesto Genovese, creamy mozzarella, and pistachio topping, delivering a refined balance of savoury and nutty notes.

(Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Pizza Social Club brings a unique hybrid style between Napoletana and Romana, known for its crisp, slightly thicker edge. After impressing last year with a truffle ricotta Bianca, the team has promised new additions to the menu for 2025.

Pizza Social Club (Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Fans of Sicilian-style pizza can visit RougeMarin, which is offering five focaccia-like pizzas named after Italian volcanoes. The ‘Etna’ features bolognese sauce, mozzarella, gouda, artichokes and pickled vegetables, while the ‘Magma’ combines spicy salami and chilli honey for a bold taste.

RougeMarin (Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Returning to the festival is Zagyland, the only pizzeria from eastern Zagorje specialising in traditional Italian pizza. Known for quality and humour, they will offer four options this year, including a surprise pizza said to break away from conventional toppings.

(Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Pizza Fritta is the go-to stall for deep-fried pizza calzones, with new fillings and crispy textures. Pastamisee offers fresh pasta prepared live in wheels of Grana Padano cheese, with dishes such as Cacio e pepe and truffle pasta freshly shaved per serving.

Pizza Fritta (Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

For dessert, pastry chef Juraj Klepić returns after successful showings at Advent and the Asian Street Food Festival. His new gelato creation is expected to be a highlight of the sweet section.

Drinks & Cocktails

The Ginglebells cocktail bar will present a new range of Spritzes and herb-infused drinks inspired by Italy’s dolce vita lifestyle. The central bar will serve wines, prosecco, cocktails, beer, and soft drinks, with ZABA Mastercard users receiving a 10% discount during daily happy hours (18:00–19:00).

Ginglebells (Photo: PR Pizza Festivala Zagreb)

Events & Activities

The festival’s side programme includes:

Outdoor pizza-making workshop (15 May): Led by chef Vedran Bošković and hosted by KitchenAid Croatia, this hands-on class will guide 10 participants through dough preparation and baking techniques using professional tools and authentic ingredients.

Food quiz hosted by Domagoj Jakopović, supported by METRO.

Two Staropramen Movie Nights (9 and 16 May).

Children’s play zone with trampolines and inflatables by Zagi events.

Art and wine workshop (Pinelli i vino).

Live DJ performances curated by Ozren Kanceljak, featuring Italian music and international hits.