The story
On the ground floor of Zagreb’s historic Esplanade Hotel, Le Bistro has long been a beloved local destination. Its sun-drenched glassed dining room and leafy green terrace offer a relaxed, theatrical street-side atmosphere, while the service is polished, swift, and unfailingly warm. The restaurant’s Michelin Recommended status reflects the consistent quality that keeps guests returning.
Since 2012, executive chef Ana Grgić Tomić has been the first woman to lead the Esplanade’s kitchen. Her career includes stages at two-Michelin-starred restaurants Sea Grill in Brussels (with Yves Mattagne) and Fisher’s Fritz in Berlin (with Christian Lohse). She has cooked for heads of state and royalty, from Prince Charles to Joe Biden, and for luminaries such as David Beckham and Sting. Her style is refined yet personal, rooted in French technique but open to global influences—she even introduced a Korean menu after training with the head of the Korean Royal Cuisine Institute.
Le Bistro’s à la carte menu changes seasonally, offering chef Ana’s original creations alongside beloved bistro classics. Standouts include steak tartare, Caesar salad, and the house specialty: Esplanade štrukli, a traditional Croatian dish of hand-rolled pastry filled with fresh cheese, baked until golden, and finished with cream. The restaurant claims to have been making the best štrukli in Zagreb for nearly a century. Breakfast is also a highlight, with croissants, eggs Benedict, and French toast served in a chic setting.
The extensive wine list features top labels from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and France, with many available by the glass. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet unstuffy, perfect for a leisurely lunch or a lively dinner. Le Bistro’s French-inspired cuisine, anchored by local ingredients and a chef with an extraordinary track record, makes it a cornerstone of Zagreb’s dining scene.
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