The story
Karlo sits in Samobor, serving traditional Croatian cuisine where the landscape dictates the menu. The weathered wooden house opens onto a terrace overlooking the rolling Plešivica vineyards. Spring brings bright green slopes, while autumn paints them in yellow and red. The Gault&Millau guide awarded this steady kitchen a 13.5 rating for its consistent approach to Croatian cooking.
Generations of the Navoj family have kept the handwritten menu intact, relying on familiar techniques rather than fleeting trends. Guests begin with fresh loaves alongside the Plešivička daska, a wooden board piled with house-smoked bacon, artisan sausages, and thick cream. Forest mushroom soup provides a fragrant start, heavy with wild boletus. The main courses rotate through poultry, veal, and hunted game, all prepared using time-tested methods that prioritize substance over presentation.
The dining space feels built for long conversations, with sturdy furniture and low lighting that softens the evening hours. Signature plates include marinated boar chops paired with stuffed potatoes and tender veal served underneath a savory crust. Duck arrives in small ceramic bowls alongside homemade mlinci noodles that soak up the rich gravy. Desserts follow the harvest calendar, shifting between blueberry strudel, Prekmurska gibanica, and chestnut cake finished with white chocolate.
Recognition
Details
