Here’s our roundup of the best Cheap Eats in Zagreb for tasty food and unforgettable culinary experiences
Just arrived in Zagreb and don’t know good dining spots in the neighborhood yet? No more struggles with finding a budget-friendly and tasty place to eat! We’ve put together a list of the Top 5 Cheap Eats in Zagreb. Scroll down to find out the best dishes that will satisfy your wallet and taste buds! We’ve got something for everyone: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free… you name it.
Ficlek: Authentic Croatian Comfort Food
Location: Pod zidom 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Opening Hours: Every day 11am – 11pm
Imagine waking up on a crisp Sunday morning knowing that you’ll finally visit your grandma, who prepared your favorite dish. You’ve been waiting for this day to come the entire week. This is how you feel when you enter Ficlek!
Sit among locals and indulge in the typical Croatian cuisine. The whole offer is reminiscent of old Zagreb eateries and drinks that were popular among guests in the 1900s. The value for money is unbeatable. Additionally, you’ll always be served fresh food, as all the ingredients are bought at the nearby Dolac Market. The owners carefully select everything they offer and truly value local traditions. With your purchase you directly support regional producers. If that’s not reason enough to eat there, I don’t know what is.
Be sure to try their specialty: Ficleki translates to small bite — although small, the taste is immaculate! They are the perfect appetizer to share with friends and go perfectly along with a wine from one of their collaborated wineries. The other dishes, though, are just as outstanding.
La Struk: Pocket-Friendly, Intimate, Timeless Restaurant
Location: Skalinska ul. 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Opening Hours: Every day 11am – 10pm
Immerse yourself in the rustic, warm ambiance of this charming restaurant—perfect for a quick meal to recharge between sightseeing or for sitting down to enjoy a special moment with your loved ones. You’ll fall in love with this place and might even discover your new comfort dish.
Be sure to try the traditional Štrukli—a hand-stretched dough filled with fresh cottage cheese. However, choosing between the sweet and savory versions can be a real challenge. Here’s my tip: order one of each and ask for an extra plate so you can all share these masterpieces.
What’s even better is that all main dishes cost less than 10€, which definitely earns this spot a place on our cheap eats in Zagreb list! They even offer a gluten-free version. Of course, you know best what works for you, so don’t hesitate to ask about cross-contamination or preparation details.
Once you’ve chosen your meal, you also get to decide where to sit. If you’re visiting in summer, I highly recommend grabbing a seat in the beautiful backyard.
To make sure you don’t miss out, I suggest booking a table in advance.
Simple Green by Jelena: Budget-friendly vegan and vegetarian food
Location: Sutlanska ul. 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 7am – 7pm
This restaurant is a dream come true—not just for vegans, but for everyone. Whether you grab your favorite fast food to go or enjoy their daily changing menu, you’ll be fueled by fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Opening as early as 7 a.m. and featuring its own bakery, it’s also the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch. Don’t miss the chance to try their delicious pastries. While they do offer many gluten-free options, please note that due to possible cross-contamination, they may not be suitable for celiac patients.
Melt: Affordable Gluten-Free Spot
Location: Dalmatinska ul. 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Opening Hours: Every day 9am – 6pm
Traveling can be tough when you can’t try all the delicious-looking food you see everywhere. But let’s be honest—being stuck with just a side salad or, if you’re lucky, a plate of fries is no longer enough. Thankfully, this is just one of many gluten-free spots in Zagreb.
It may not be a full-on restaurant—its vibe is more café-meets-bar—but don’t underestimate the menu. While small, the dishes are carefully curated, and depending on the time of day, you can choose from three different menus. And whatever you do, never skip the gelato! It’s bursting with flavor and truly feels like a dream you’ll never want to wake up from.
I also highly recommend their iced coffee, priced at just 2.6€—a true steal for coffee lovers.
Here, you’ll only find honest, high-quality ingredients. There’s simply no room for artificial flavors.
Leggiero FOOD: Cheap and Convenient Eats in Zagreb
Location: Bogovićeva ul. 1b, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Opening Hours: Every day 7am – 9pm
Last but not least, here’s a true cheap eats gem in Zagreb. Possibly the insider tip you’ve been searching for. Every budget traveler knows the struggle of wandering through a city in winter, hungry but not wanting to head back to the hostel just to eat and warm up (although, if you’re staying at the Whole Wide World Hostel, you’ll always find a reason to return :) but you get what I mean). If you’ve ever experienced this, Leggiero might just be the solution.
It works a bit like a self-service restaurant, which makes it much more affordable. The bonus compared to a store-bought meal is that you can actually sit down and enjoy it! The variety is surprisingly wide too—soups, sushi, salads, sandwiches, and more. Sometimes that’s all you need to fuel up before starting the second half of your day.
Still hungry?
We hear you loud and clear. Take a look at our Anti-Tourist Guide for Zagreb—just scroll down to find it. This time we listed some fancier restaurants.
Like this article? Check out our Instagram and TikTok page to see more of these!
…
