Summer Beer Getaway

One of life’s little pleasures when summer hits the city and the streets are sizzling hot is to find a quiet shaded terrace and enjoy a cold beer. Sounds very simple and available at every corner, but a lot depends on which place you choose and what you want out of it. If you’re a finicky craft beer drinker and also appreciative of a nice outdoor setting, the choice narrows down a bit, but there is still plenty of options to find in Zagreb. I present you my list of the places that combine best possible local beer, cool shelter and good vibes.

“Beer gardens, or many people’s living rooms during the summer.” Image credit: Garden Brewery FB

For starters, not only is Medvedgrad the oldest and the most active microbrewery in Zagreb, but their pub and restaurant in Ilica Street has maybe even the best summer terrace of all. Tucked away in the back garden, under the shade of huge chestnut trees, it’s spacious enough to accommodate all sorts of people, so it’s almost always full, but in a good way. With its massive wooden tables and benches, affordable price and the merry atmosphere, it’s kind of like Zagreb’s version of a German bierstube. You’ll find something similar in Mlinarica, a family-owned traditional Zagreb restaurant where they make their own beer. Located in a peaceful, low-rise residential area on the way to Medvednica Mountain, it’s certainly like a little oasis away in the bustling city. Good-value local food and homemade cured meats just add more bonus points.

“Friendly staff and a typical daily menu at Mlinarica pub and restaurant.” Image credit: Mlinarica FB

One of the first beer joints in Zagreb, Tolkien’s pub on top of Opatovina, is still one of my favourites. The terrace is not so big and not in the perfect natural shade, but with their wide selection of beers, relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and good music, there’s a reason why they attract a loyal crowd of returning customers. Located in the same street, nowadays nicknamed the Beer Street of Zagreb, you’ll find the central temple of all the beer geeks – the Craft Room. Forget the front terrace and the indoor area, go to the roof terrace. Overlooking the crowded Tkalčićeva Street, in the evening it becomes the perfect spot to hang out and watch life go by beneath you. Not to mention the amazing selection of Croatian beers that’s changing all the time.

“You’re lucky if you have a nice beer garden in your neighbourhood, like Iks in Trešnjevka.” Image credit: Iks FB

Hop In, another cosy little craft beer bar, relatively new, and on a little less attractive location in the neighbourhood across the main Bus Station, finally gets a terrace. Since there’s actually a green park right in front of it, I predict this terrace will become a popular summer hideout. For all you cool and hip people, Garden Brewery is the place to go, although it’s a little bit out of the way, in the eastern industrial district of the city. Open only a year, they already have an impressive portfolio of beers, and the brewery facility also functions as a pub, street food restaurant and club. If you prefer something more local and off-the-beaten path, little neighbourhood places not well known outside their quarters are your thing. Since I speak for myself, I can recommend my spots, like the snug Horvati, that’s been transformed into a modern and laid-back local bar from an old-school joint with dating back to 1967. Another one is Iks, a not so little place hidden in the shade behind the department store on the central square in Trešnjevka neighbourhood. No wonder that local beer makers often choose it as the place for their informal beer and BBQ gatherings.

“One of the biggest and most popular beer gardens belongs to Medvedgrad in Ilica.” Image credit: Medvedgrad FB

And to wrap it up, one name really pops up. If you like it artsy and outdoorsy, the legendary Art Park is once again the place to be in the summer, since it opened last year. This unique mixture of a children’s park 80s style, open-air gallery, music stage and a bar is like a mini Woodstock in the middle of central Zagreb. There’s always something going on and it’s filled completely on a nice evening. And the best part, they have their own beer label, a lager custom-made by Medvedgrad brewery. The list could go on and on, so feel free to fill the map of Zagreb’s shady craft beer hideouts with your own discoveries. As long there as you have a good cold beer in your hand and a pleasant place to drink it, the summer can last forever, if you ask me.

“Art park in the afternoon, when things are only starting to warm up.” Image credit: Art park FB

Header image credit: Medvedgrad FB

Author: Taste of Croatia