Arigato by Hrvoje

Arigato by Hrvoje, tucked away in Berislavićeva Street, one of the streets of the Lower Town, in the very heart of Zagreb, captivates with its sincerity from the very first bite - and with each next one, it lures you into the world where Asian and Mediterranean flavours fuse smoothly. Guided by his rich culinary experience and deep curiosity about different cultures, chef Hrvoje has created a place that feels like an urban Japanese oasis - with dishes that are both local and unexpected, exotic, yet approachable. There is no room for pretentiousness here - just honest, tasty food powered by knowledge, effort and love for cooking.

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The interior is marked by urban and industrial style, dominated by a range of darker colours with red accents and brick walls which often display the works of fine artists. In addition to the main room, there is also a room for private dining with a commune high table and bright walls decorated with paintings. Arigato has also a street terrace, which becomes very popular with the first glimpse of sunshine. The atmosphere is pleasant, with friendly, ready-to-help yet unobtrusive staff. Arigato by Hrvoje is an excellent choice for an easy, relaxed lunch with friends or a solo comfort food experience in the very centre of the city.

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What is served?

The menu includes a variety of appetizers: from fresh nani ceviche and interesting yukhoe tuna, to crispy gyoza with shrimp, meat or vegetables, to sardines and anchovies with wasabi mayonnaise, which reinterpret familiar ingredients in an unusual or delicious way. Ramen comes in three versions, but there are also Hokkaido nabea and miso soups. Main dishes like teriyaki pork, salmon in sesame, cha-su pork or beef tongue show how combining cuisines can be both bold and thoughtful. Sushi lovers can enjoy four types of uramaki sushi rolls. Desserts - such as sesame pudding or mochi ice cream - close this gastronomic chapter.

Wines are served both by the glass and by the bottle, but the small selection is based on wines that pair well with this type of cuisine. There are also craft beers, cocktails and fine spirits such as sake and Japanese gins and whiskey.

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What our chefs had?

We visited Arigato by Hrvoje in time for lunch; a friendly waiter helped us start with a selection of appetizers — nani ceviche, shrimp mayo, and shrimp gyoza. Nani ceviche is a delicate and beautifully balanced dish of white sea fish with miso dressing, daikon, and tobiko, while shrimp mayo is a house specialty served with spicy sauce. Gyoza are a classic; here, they are made with Adriatic shrimp and served with oyster sauce. This was followed by sushi — age ebi with shrimp and spicy mayonnaise, tuna, cucumber with black sesame, and perfectly crispy tempura with sauce.

The menu also includes some interesting combinations of Eastern and Croatian cuisine, such as beef tongue with soy, mirin, and yuzu, but unfortunately, they are not always available. Even though we didn’t get a chance to try them this time, the mochi ice cream for the end was a winner.

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Arigato by Hrvoje is a restaurant that captivates with its straightforward, delicious cuisine and warm approach. It is an ideal place for anyone who wants to taste the Far East through the prism of Croatian cuisine.

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