Discover the Streets with a Soul: Teslina and Masarykova
Have you ever heard of Tomáš Masaryk? He is known as a founder of Czechoslovakia and was its first president. Besides that, he had a great political career and was an excellent philosopher. If you haven't heard of him, you have undoubtedly heard of Nikola Tesla, the great mind with a long list of inventions among which, the most important one would be the new electrical supply system design.
Now that you are familiar with these historical names, you wonder why I wrote about them. Well, it was a short story that stands behind the names of our two famous streets in Zagreb: Masarykova and Teslina Street. The two streets have experienced a significant boom lately. They are filled with places worth visiting. So, let's start the tour!
Teslina street
Somehow, I always find myself in the main square so, I start my journey from that point. You need to walk towards Zrinjevac and when you get at the very beginning of the park, don't walk across the zebra crossing but look at your right, and there it is - Teslina Street.
- Pizzeria Lira
After walking down Teslina Street for just a few meters, you will see the pizzeria Lira on your left. It's tough to find a good pizza, and it's even harder to do so in a big city such as Zagreb because there are so many pizzerias and they are all situated in different parts of the town. So, no need to wander around. Now you know where you can eat a perfectly delicious pizza, and I can tell you that from my own experience.
- Good Food
Good Food is an excellent place to have a bite when you are hungry but want to have something on the go, or simply if you like a faster option than a restaurant. For me, it's much better than the McDonald's or KFC with the same old menu. Good Food offers something different, and it has gluten-free products as well, so there's a little bit of something for everyone. There are just a few tables inside, but you have a terrace outside if you want to stop for a while. Also, if you happen to find yourself there at the weekend, prepare for a small queue.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
- Pingvin
Similar to Good Food, Pingvin is a fast food joint which has an innovative offer as well. For me, Good Food is more familiar, but Pingvin is a real discovery! My favourite is the dark toast with ham and a big portion of fries which are, by the way, absolutely delicious! They have a small space to accommodate inside, but it's not nearly as lovely as it is the terrace, so that's what I would recommend.
- Torte i to
After fast food, it's only logical to go for some sweets, and the best place for that is the pastry shop Torte i to. Their famous cakes are heavenly! My favourite is the Ledeni vjetar (ice-cold wind), and you can choose if you want the fruity or chocolate version. My choice is always chocolate. Oh, and one more thing, the plates in which they bring you the cake have a message on them and are adorable!
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
- Zagreb Youth Theatre
Zagreb Youth Theatre is a modern theatre with a bundle of great performances. They are concentrated on the younger audience bringing them all the content in a way that occupies their attention. The theme is, therefore, always current and interesting. I would recommend watching the current performance "Alisa u zemlji čudesa", just make sure that you reserve your tickets on time because they are sold in a blink of an eye. However, if you don't want to spend money on something you are not sure you're going to like but want to experience the spirit of the theatre first, you can follow the schedule on the official web page because, now and then, there is a free entrance performance. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
- Vinodol
If you're getting tired of fast food places and want to eat something that will keep your stomach full for a longer time, it's time to find the right restaurant. Another word for the best restaurant is - Vinodol. I always want to try something new and don't want to try things from the same place more than once, but this is the restaurant I always go back to. On the outside, I must admit it looks costly, but if you stop and look at the menu at the entrance, you'll see that the prices are decent. Speaking of the menu, they have so many different meals to offer, the kind that I don't see in any other "normal" restaurant. And don't worry! Whatever your choice might be, it will be exquisite.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
- Quahwa
A unique coffee shop, with the interior that makes me want to sit there for hours! It's for all the coffee lovers that enjoy good coffee, although it has excellent choices for those who prefer something else over coffee as well. When I don't drink coffee, I take a freshly squeezed juice. The best thing ever! Even if you didn't plan on stopping for a cup of coffee, just enter this coffee shop, because I tell you, this kind of design isn't seen often.
At the end of Teslina Street (or the very beginning, depends on where you started), there is a Tesla monument made by Ivan Meštrović, Tesla's friend. The memorial is very effective, and it makes you slow down and admire this piece of art.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
Masarykova street
Just as Teslina ends, Masarykova Street starts. What does that mean? We have even more places to visit, so let's begin!
- Garden
For all of you who are in love with natural, organic food like I am, I have great news for you! In Masarykova street you can find this cute, little store called "Garden". Here you can buy all kinds of healthy, organic products, with certificates guaranteeing their high quality. You can buy coconut oil, baking soda, and all different products to bring home, or you can buy something you can eat along the way, a healthy snack on the go!
- Le Mika
Moving on from super-healthy to something a little less healthy but inevitable - pancakes! When you pass by this little shop, you can't just move along, the smell of these pancakes brings you back to them. You might think to yourselves: "Why do I need to go and visit another pancake shop, we have them all over the city". That's true, but these are something special. Prepare yourselves to see pancakes in a different way than the one we are used to. These types of pancakes are a French delicacy. Both the looks and the taste of the pancakes is different from our traditional pancakes. Le Mika is the corner where you can feel like you're in France enjoying their delicacies.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
- Hov-Hov Dog Bakery
For all of you who own a dog, this dog bakery is the perfect place for your four-legged friend. It's one of a kind store, perfectly adapted for the care of your pets. It has all kinds of treats customised for dogs. The beauty of these products is in the quality of the treats, which are all organic. They have even biscuits with veggies or fish. How awesome is that?
- Bastion No.19
If you happen to be in Masarykova in the evening, make sure you stop by the wine bar Bastion No.19. A small glass of wine after dinner can't hurt anybody, right? Firstly, their interior design is based on wood, a lot of trees inside, so it makes you feel welcomed and cosy. And secondly, which is a problem for the indecisive ones, you can choose from numerous wines to try! You might think that good wines are expensive, well, they usually are, but here you can try any wine in a glass, and that's really not that expensive. All in all, it's perfect if you're up for trying something new and relaxing with your friends.
- Chocolat 041
Enormously big glass windows allow you to take a peek at this sweet kingdom. Behind the glass a real rhapsody of tastes is hidden! All kinds of ice-cream flavours are waiting for you in this super-cool, modern interior. Chocolat 041 gives you the sweets with a perfect taste of Italian recipes. It's an excellent choice for all chocolate lovers, and I believe there are a lot of us. The interior is a perfect fit for the younger generation, especially the second floor.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
After all these impressive places, Masarykova Street gives us yet another one, the end of the street and its amazing view - the Croatian National Theatre. This imposing building is the perfect ending to these two streets - Teslina and Masarykova.
Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
To conclude, there are plenty of places to visit and many things to try while walking down these two streets. You definitely can't just pass through them. Also, everything that the street offers can't be seen in just one day, and that's also the beauty of it because every time you come to the city centre, you can walk over there and try something new. There are, of course, even more things to see in these streets, but the mentioned ones are my personal favourite, and which ones will be yours are yet to be discovered.
Header Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni
Author: Aleta Brattoni