Vegetarian restaurants in Zagreb

Hidden behind Kota, this smart bright bistro serves up dedicated vegan fare, with the accent on wok, noodle and pasta-based recipes. Ingredients are sourced from a local organic farm. There’s a reasonable choice of desserts and the courtyard setting provides something of a calming oasis in this busy downtown neighbourhood. 

Vegetarianism has been slow to catch on in many corners of this meat-crazed country, but progressive-minded Zagreb is beginning to buck the trend. This snack bar diagonally opposite noted hipster-hangout Kino Europa is arguably the capital’s leading exponent of fast food with a healthy-living bent. Burgers made from tofu, seitan and hemp (the latter is more mind-blowing in term of taste than you might immediately think) are the big sellers, although the salads, Asian-spiced wok dishes and cups of soup (including excellent recent menu addition Russian borscht) are well worth trying. And if you can’t get enough of the hemp, it also features as an ingredient in Green Point’s long list of excellent shakes.

A solid choice for vegetarians, Gajbica is a fast food restaurant with a cheap, cheerful and mostly meat-free menu. Dishes change daily, but Gajbica majors in inventive salads, veggie sandwiches and deliciously gooey vegan cakes - a far cry from the usual dry, dairy-free vegan desserts. They also operate as a small grocers - you'll find fresh fruit and veg for sale, alongside health food ingredients and colourful pressed juices.