From Zagreb to the Region: A Gastro Guide Through “Dobra Mjesta”

“I’m glad that, in the vastness of the internet, there’s a small gourmet corner for all of us who love to eat well and share experiences,” Viktor tells HEDONIST. A Zagreb native, he decided just a few months ago to turn his long-standing passion for restaurants into a concrete project.

The “Dobra Mjesta” profile was conceived as a platform for sharing authentic food recommendations through video - no exaggeration, no unnecessary gloss, just a clear focus on what matters most: enjoyment. His simple yet powerful philosophy says it all - enjoying food is enjoying life.

Although he had long considered opening his own restaurant, Viktor has, for now, chosen to stay on the other side of the table - as an explorer, observer, and chronicler of regional gastronomy. He combined his love for restaurants with a passion for video creation, publishing his first video in late summer 2025. The audience response exceeded all expectations.

In less than six months, a true “foodie army” gathered around his content - nearly 25,000 followers who not only watch but actively comment, debate, and visit the places he recommends. Viktor builds this relationship on trust, and that trust rests on a simple rule: he tells the truth.

“If I don’t like something, I simply don’t post it. I don’t want to harm anyone’s business. The profile isn’t called ‘Bad Places,’” he explains, emphasizing that while food quality always comes first, atmosphere, service, and the overall experience are just as important.

Although he admits it’s almost impossible to single out only a few favorites in a region with such a rich culinary scene, some places still hold a special status. Among them are the legendary Stari Kotač, known for its colorful pljeskavica and cheese-filled ćevapi; the cult-favorite Kod Vilima with, as he says, “the best skewers in the universe”; and Franko’s Pizza & Bar, which has been winning international awards for years and keeping pace with the best pizzas in Europe.

His videos about burek have perhaps drawn the most attention - unsurprisingly, given the dish’s almost cult status across the Balkans. One of his biggest surprises, however, came in Ljubljana, at Fast Food Gricko, where he tried what he describes as one of the best bureks of his life.

“Perfectly balanced, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - a pure rhapsody,” Viktor says.

When it comes to street food, he highlights a range of places proving that quality is no longer reserved for fine dining. Among them are Tasty Bites with top-tier smash burgers, Chubby Chuck’s, Rulla Street Food, and the ever-popular Jumbo Kebab.

On the other hand, for slower, more hedonistic enjoyment, he recommends places like Pizzeria Rumore in Labin, where exceptional pizza meets one of the most beautiful views of the Adriatic.

Still, as he admits, some of his favorite places aren’t necessarily the most famous. They are the ones tied to personal memories - spots like Pupa kod Ljubice or Stara Sava, where food carries an added emotional value.

For Viktor, food is not just a necessity - it’s a ritual. Tasting, he says, can be pure hedonism, but with one important note: balance is key. He finds that balance in boxing, which helps him maintain a rhythm between enjoyment and discipline.

In the end, with a smile and gratitude for his first interview, he leaves his audience with the phrase they already recognize him by:

“Until the next bite!”

• Written by Anđelka Marković / HEDONIST