Stari Kotač 2

The story

Stari Kotač 2 Zagreb: Award-Winning Traditional Croatian Grill Since 1982

A decades-long tradition of wood charcoal

Stari Kotač 2 delivers traditional Croatian grill cuisine in Zagreb, functioning as the city-centre expansion of a restaurant founded in the Prečko neighbourhood in 1982. The kitchen has spent 38 years refining recipes cooked over wood charcoal, a method that draws patrons looking for authentic flavours rooted in regional habits. Interest in the food is steady enough that visitors typically need to make a reservation ahead of time to secure a seat.

Signature grilled dishes and stuffed classics

Head chef Ksenija guides a menu built around substantial meat preparations where texture and filling matter as much as the char. Diners regularly order ćevapčići stuffed with cheese or shish kebabs, while the "šarena juneća pljeskavica" presents a layered combination of cheese, smoked veal neck, and pepper within the patty. Those seeking heavier fare can request a biftek wrapped in cheeses and domestic prosciutto or an Irish Angus rump steak. The meat rests comfortably alongside accompaniments like creamy kajmak, smoky ajvar, or roasted potato slices served on warm flatbread.

Recognition and a spacious, welcoming environment

Critics awarded the restaurant a Gault&Millau score of 12 points, praising a menu structure that clearly separates grilled dishes from salads and sides. The dining areas reflect this clear structure through two indoor rooms and an outdoor space, complemented by distinct terraces facing the courtyard and the street. Service remains efficient and unobtrusive, allowing conversation to flow during meals that often last into the evening. Guests appreciate the hospitality, which the team describes as the warmth of a hearth, creating a consistent backdrop for family gatherings and group visits.