Korak

The story

Korak – Michelin-Starred Contemporary Croatian Dining in Samobor

The Estate

Korak sits on the hilly slopes of the Plešivica wine region, often called the Croatian Champagne. The family estate, run by the fourth and fifth generations, was born from a farmhouse dating to 1900, completely renovated in 2019 while keeping the family spirit alive. The estate includes a winery, a restaurant, and a conference room, all surrounded by a hundred-year-old linden tree, vineyards, and stunning views.

Chef Bernard

The restaurant is the project of young chef Bernard, whose culinary roots trace back to Zagreb’s Dubravkin put under chef Priska Thuring. Self-taught, he quickly advanced, interning at Slovenia’s Hiša Franko under Ana Roš, who soon offered him a full-time position. He became her sous-chef and spent winters at Osteria Francescana with Massimo Bottura. Returning home, Bernard opened Korak to serve the local community. His work creates a network of growers, hunters, and foragers, strengthening the local food system.

The Tasting Menu

Bernard’s unwritten rule: “If it’s not in season, it’s not on the table.” His contemporary Croatian cuisine focuses on the Plešivica terroir and the current micro-season. Dishes feature ingredients like raw cow’s milk from a neighbor’s farm, fresh cheese made by an 80-year-old grandmother in honor of family tradition, wild herbs harvested just before service, and trout from a nearby stream. The clean, precise aesthetics and play of textures create a unique gastronomic identity.

Two tasting menus are available: an eight-course menu at €141 per person and a five-course menu at €118. The kitchen accommodates pescatarians and vegetarians but cannot adapt for vegans or dairy-free diets, as the menu is rooted in local dairy.

Wine Pairing

As an estate winery, Korak offers wine pairings that showcase its small-batch wines. The standard pairing includes current vintages (€47 for short menu, €68 for long). The Best Vintages pairing adds archive wines (€65 and €135). An alcohol-free pairing is also available.

Recognition

In 2023, Korak earned its first Michelin star, along with a Green Star for its sustainable approach. That same year, Bernard was named Chef of the Year. In 2024, the restaurant was awarded Best Fine Dining in Croatia by the Good Food Guide “Dobra hrana.” The Michelin star confirms the high quality of Bernard’s cooking, rooted in the land and community.