Zagreb, 16 October 2026. Alongside an ever richer offer of foreign cuisines, Zagreb should continue to cherish its culinary tradition and local wines. Restaurateurs and winemakers warned of the importance of preserving authentic Zagreb food and wine culture ahead of the 5th BregFest, the wine festival of Bregovita Hrvatska.
„Foreign guests in Zagreb should, alongside the international culinary offer, have the chance to get to know our cuisine and wines too and to experience the true spirit of the city. It would be nice to bring back the authenticity of the hospitality offer we had until the early nineties“, said Tomislav Bolfan, vice-president of the Bregovita Hrvatska association of winemakers and winegrowers.
Restaurants with a long history play an important role in preserving tradition, among them the oldest Zagreb inn, Skenderica 1912 in Remete.
„An inn is a place where people gather around the table, socialise and enjoy food. At Skenderica we cherish the Zagreb culture of preparing dishes from local ingredients according to old recipes, adapting them to the present day. Guests recognise and appreciate our history and cultural heritage“, said Ana Lisak, director of Catering Tim Lisak, which runs Skenderica.
Miroslav Polovanec, president of the Bregovita Hrvatska association of winemakers and winegrowers, congratulated Skenderica on the award for its contribution to Zagreb’s hospitality, which it recently received at the 38th Congress of Restaurateurs and Tourism Professionals of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
He also highlighted the diversity of the central Bregovita Hrvatska wine region, known for its indigenous and naturalised international varieties and a long tradition of sparkling wine production.
„Local food and wine are often foreign guests’ first encounter with the culture of the destination they are visiting. That is why our culinary specialities and wines should have an important place on menus and wine lists“, Polovanec said.
Cheese with cream, cured meats, ajngemahtec, štrukli, strudels and dumplings are just some of the flavours that make up Zagreb’s culinary identity. They pair excellently with the wines of Bregovita Hrvatska, among which, alongside fresh and light wines, the varieties Škrlet, Pušipel and Kraljevina stand out.
In search of flavours that remind them of childhood, people from Zagreb increasingly head to the city’s edges and the surrounding counties. David Štampar of the Štampar winery, vice-president of the Bregovita Hrvatska association, pointed to the example of Međimurje family restaurants that successfully preserve local cuisine and work with winemakers. He also believes wineries should further develop their hospitality offer and let visitors taste wine with suitable bites where it is made.
BregFest presents more than 400 wines
To bring the richness of the Bregovita Hrvatska wine offer closer to the people of Zagreb and their guests, the organisers are preparing the fifth edition of BregFest on Friday, 23 October, at Lauba, the house for people and art.
„From the first edition with 36 exhibitors the festival has grown to this year’s 70, who will present more than 400 wines. We will pay special attention to indigenous varieties, while the food offer will be prepared by Metro Hrvatska and the Croatian Culinary Federation“, announced Suzana Operman, director of Bregovita Hrvatska.
The festival will take place from 13:00 to 20:00, and tickets are available through the Eventim system: https://www.eventim.hr/eventseries/festival-vina-bregovite-hrvatske-4231164/
