Not so long ago, pizza in Croatia meant a familiar, hearty classic—generously topped, firmly baked, and often more about quantity than finesse. Today, however, the country is in the midst of a genuine pizza renaissance, driven by passionate pizzaiolos, carefully sourced ingredients, and a clear shift toward world-class quality.
At the heart of this transformation is the rise of Neapolitan-style pizza, now the dominant inspiration across Croatia’s best pizzerias. Characterized by long-fermented dough, soft and airy cornicione, a thin and elastic center, and high-temperature baking, this style places dough, balance, and simplicity above all else. The result is pizza that feels lighter, more aromatic, and deeply expressive of craftsmanship rather than excess.Across the country, a new generation of pizzerias is setting benchmarks and drawing both locals and travelers in search of exceptional flavor.
Cortes Club (Buzin, Zagreb)
Cortes blends a relaxed, lively atmosphere with serious pizza craftsmanship. Their light, airy dough and thoughtfully composed toppings, like the inventive Purple Rain or Excessive Love, showcase both technical skill and playful flair, making every slice a little celebration of flavor..Pizza Shango (Zagreb)
Here, the focus isn’t on fancy dining rooms but on superb dough (undergoing up to 72 hours of fermentation) and standout ingredients sourced from Italy and Croatia, including San Marzano tomatoes, hand‑fermented vegetables, and artisanal olive oil — resulting in pizzas that are inventive, deeply flavorful, and worth the buzz and queues.Pizzeria 14 (Zagreb)
Pizzeria 14 has quickly built a loyal following thanks to its excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas and clear attention to detail. Frequently praised for its light, well-fermented dough and balanced toppings, it features premium ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, creamy burrata, and delicate mortadella, making it a go-to spot for locals who value precision, simplicity, and reliably high quality.Pizzeria Antonio (Šišan)
Located in Istria, in Šišan, where a young and passionate pizzaiolo has turned his family-run pizzeria into a local favorite with pizzas that balance tradition and creativity. Antonio crafts every pie personally, from long-fermented dough to carefully chosen toppings, and his dedication to quality, fresh ingredients and genuine hospitality has won glowing praise from visitors and locals alike.Kono Napoletana Pizza&Bar (Šibenik)
Kono brings refined Neapolitan pizza to the Dalmatian coast with confidence and consistency. The menu emphasizes classic combinations, executed with precision and respect for tradition.Pizzaholic (Šibenik)
Its pizza is made from a custom flour blend of several wheat varieties, uses minimal yeast, and undergoes a unique three-stage preparation process—twice baked in advance, displayed in a showcase, and finished with a final bake once selected by the guest, giving it its crisp texture and final character.Bocconcino Pizza Bar (Osijek)
Bocconcino has positioned Osijek at the very top of Croatia’s Neapolitan pizza scene, backed by the expertise of a world champion pizzaiolo and its role as the home of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (APN). While the dough sets an exceptionally high standard, the carefully curated toppings elevate each pizza further, demonstrating a clear vision, restraint, and a sophisticated understanding of flavor harmony.Together, these pizzerias illustrate how Croatia has become exciting destinations for pizza lovers—where tradition, innovation, and local character meet in every slice. 🍕
Comments