Barbeerian BBQ and beer
Smoke, meat, beer – in no particular order!
In Opatovina, the old part of Zagreb where the city was born almost a thousand years ago, in the place which until recently housed the well-known Craft Room, today you can sense from afar the smell of smoke and spices coming from Barbeerian – a new stronghold for all those who take beer and strong food seriously. This project is an interesting and, we would say, a very successful collaboration between the owner of the famous Croatian hot sauce brand ‘Volim ljuto’ (I like it hot) and one of the most important craft beer importers in Croatia. The genuinely friendly and proactive service, and simple but modern and pleasant ambience immediately wowed us.
The food is, of course, real pub food but in 2.0 version, inspired by the combination of American and Mexican bbq/street food/comfort food heritage. Burgers (classic and smash), spicy wings, ribs, shrimp or pork tacos, pulled beef or pork sandwiches, quesadillas, taquitos – everything is bursting with spices, juiciness and smoke from the Traeger smoker. We should also mention the sides: a selection of fries and sweet potatoes, coleslaw, Texas potato salad or BBQ baked beans with Vrabasco sauce. There is even a hint of Asian and Italian cuisine in kimchi and arancini. For dessert, you can enjoy bread pudding and lava cake... because, hey, life is short :)
A selection of 122 beers will please any liquid hedonist, as well as a very good list of spirits. There is also delicious coffee from Lively Roasters and a nice selection of homemade juices, both frizzy and natural. Unfortunately, the wine selection requires a little more effort.
We started our tasting journey with kimchi – which was homemade, wickedly spicy and wonderfully seasoned. This was followed by shrimp tacos in a crispy tortilla, with sauce, juicy shrimp with a fine crust and white sesame. The Barbeerian double smash burger with jalapeño was a true meat explosion – complex, soft, and perfectly balanced. The baked beans with a smoky sour-spicy taste and slices of crispy bacon was a real surprise. And finally, a sandwich in a fragrant, soft bun, filled with smoked pork belly – juicy and delicious, aromatic, exciting.
As befits it, we washed it all down with a great Belladonna IPA on tap from Zagreb craft brewery Pulfer.
Barbeerian is not trying to please the crowds. It is what it is – loud, spicy, meaty and honest. And that suits it perfectly.
