The Great Gastro Guide to Baš Naš Advent Brings a Selection of Favorites You Must Try

The winter season of the Baš Naš festival has begun, and if you are looking for new, interesting dishes that attract attention with their original recipes and presentation, Baš Naš Advent gathers the best of gastronomy, renowned culinary names, and a breathtaking holiday menu. For a special gastro experience, it is worth waiting in line, as this year the most enticing aromas and flavors are brought to you by distinguished Croatian chefs: Marin Medak, Mario Mandarić, and Stjepan Gojšić, along with the most famous chef trio – Damir Tomljanović, Stjepan Vukadin, and Melkior Bašić. You will find a rich food offering at as many as 9 Advent huts, and we have highlighted some favorites you must not miss.

1. Ches’s trio by Damir Tomljanović, Stjepan Vukadin I Melkior Bašić

The most famous trio that has conquered television screens has drawn inspiration from holiday flavors and aromas. From the finest meat delicacies to sweet flavors, they will greet you with a smile, and candidates from the most-watched gastro show assist them in preparing the dishes. At the Chef’s trio hut, you can try dishes by Melikora Bašića, Faširanac with coleslaw and a milk bun that melts in your mouth, and the sweet delicacy Ima se, nema se, sweet fried bread with linseed in a forest fruit sauce, dusted with powdered sugar. Stjepan Vukadin prepares a rich-looking Strgalo se june, shredded beef with salad and chips in a bun, and a meatless dish Skoro pa vege bundevu, gnocchi with mushroom ragu. Damir Tomljenović has found an exceptional flavor combination in dishes like Zdimio buncek with sour cabbage and mustard, and Jagnje, ne dagnje, lamb sausage in dough with onion pesto. This combination has proven to be more than excellent, and who could resist good meat and fine dough in a refreshing sauce.

2. Porchetteria by Mario Mandarić

Mario Mandarić, an internationally recognized chef who continues to achieve success, included in the list of Forbers 30 under 30, received a recommendation for the Michelin guide this year, and is known for preparing top-notch meat specialties. At his hut, you can expect dishes like Pulled pork burger, made from slow-cooked pork shoulder with coleslaw, BBQ sauce, and a brioche bun that melts in your mouth. Pork poke bowl with potatoes is a bowl full of fine flavors that will satisfy you well, or the Porchetta sandwich made from rolled pork belly with walnuts, caramelized apple, honey dijon, and sweet raisins. Mario also offers veal sausage with dried onion, melted cheddar cheese, and salad, named Tele, a ne svinja. Fascinating and genius flavors and aromas of Christmas blend in all these dishes that will make you come back again.

3. RougeMarin by Marin Medak

Among the caterers at the Advent, the Rougemarin hut stands out, led by chef Marin Medak. With this year’s theme “Viennese School”, at the Rougemarin hut you can try specialties like kranjska sausage with melted cheese, debrecinke with pickled vegetables, Viennese sausages with potato salad, and for dessert, the imperial crumble, better known as Kezeršmarn, a traditional Austrian recipe that we also enjoyed as children. There are also other sweet delicacies like hot chocolate with marshmallow cookies or pretzels, which will leave no one indifferent.

4. Kobasito by Stjepan Gojšić

The recognized team at the Michelin star hut of Stjepan Gojšić offers as many as 7 different types of sausages and hot dogs, along with crispy fries and onion rings. They highlight the street food variant of beans with sausages, which consists of debrecinka in a bun with baked beans, sweet sauce, and salad, and they have complemented this bombastic combination with crispy fried sweet potato. Additionally, you can try various sausages with sauces made from Guinness, mustard, and honey in combinations with cheddar cheese, onion marmalade, salads, and the winter classic – sour stewed cabbage or kale. There are many variations, and it is up to you to choose the one that suits you best.

5. Alpine Hut

Just as in the Alps, where they serve real winter food for refreshment, at the Baš Naš Alpine Hut you will taste various variations and street food combinations of sausages and hot dogs made from different types of meat. The dish Ko konj is actually a horse sausage with baked beans, corn, salad, and a warm brioche bun. At this hut, you can also try Vege – san, a vegetarian sausage option with hummus, beet ketchup, salad, and a bun. Besides savory delicacies, you can expect sweet germknedle filled with plum and chocolate, along with various sauces and toppings.

6. La fiesta

There is never a shortage of fun here, and along with musical hits and lots of dancing, there is also good food to warm you up. At this hut, you can refresh yourself with meat dishes like La chica debrecen, which comes with two top-notch debrecinka sausages, fried onions, pickles, and sauce. Then, La gorda honey, smoked sausage with caramelized onions and BBQ honey sauce. There are also La picante slavonica, Happy hot dog, La chica wild, and La fiesta kids hot dog, for those who prefer light versions without too much sauce and spicy seasonings.

7. Magical Fritula

At the small hut under the music stage, food is prepared according to traditional recipes under the watchful eye of chefs from Michelin Bib Gourmet restaurants. The traditional dessert has adapted to some new trends, so they offer fritule and germknedle with various fillings, sauces, and toppings. They are always ready warm, and you can try Jaffa fritule with chocolate and orange, then chocolate ones with linseed, dark chocolate, and Oreo or Kit Kat topping. Other sauces you can choose from include caramel, strawberries, bourbon vanilla, and Baileys.

8. Winter House

The Advent hut Winter House offers various versions of burgers, sandwiches, tortillas, and quick bites like nachos with cheese, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, and fries. Among the large selection of dishes, burgers stand out in various combinations like chicken, classic, and italian burgers made from beef, and rustic with delicious dark rustic buns, salad, tomatoes, arugula, and cheese. For all sandwich lovers, you can find and try Zagreb and pulled pork sandwich. There is truly something for everyone, and we are sure you will not leave hungry.

9. Mangosta

If there is an Advent bucket list, we believe that Mangosta with popular hot cocktails is at the top, but at this hut, you can also have a good meal. Barba slaw, New York style, and češnjovka classic are variations of traditional sausages made from Slavonian, češnjovka, debrecinka, and veal meat. With quality ingredients, sauces, and additions, the phrase we hear most often these days is – “I have to get another one!”

10. Drinks at Baš Naš Advent

In addition to good snacks, at Baš Naš Advent you can warm up with black and white mulled wine Šoškić. Marin Medak has included hot apple and cinnamon liqueurs in his offer, as well as hunting tea, which is actually more than just tea. This warm drink is essentially rum and black tea enriched with spices and aromas of citrus, cinnamon, and cloves. Marin Medak has enriched his hunting tea with a bit of red wine and secret spices to make the aroma more intoxicating. If you are not a fan of wine and liqueurs, you can try hot Beefeater mulled gin with interesting names like Brbljava punica and Buddy the Elf with paragon, apple, and lemon. Jameson whiskey lovers can try hot cocktails like Whiskey sour and Figa u džepu with honey, orange liqueur, honey jam, and lemon. The biggest hit is the photogenic, colorful, and warm cocktails from the Mangosta bar with dry ice that you will surely capture with your cameras.

Haven’t you started yet? We believe you no longer need a reason to visit Baš Naš Advent. At least during Advent, you simply must forget about your diet and head to your favorite upper town plateau. Besides good food, you can expect salsa rhythms and hits from Cubisma on Friday, December 9. For good fun, numerous DJ performances are responsible every day – on Christmas Eve, RNB Confusion Santa’s Club, while performers and concerts by the group Vatra, Psihomodo Pop, then Vesna Pisarović and Zgroove band will be responsible for a great atmosphere throughout December. Until January 7, the Gradec plateau will surely be a popular Zagreb location and the main destination for all those eager for good company, lots of laughter, infectious songs, and dancing. You can follow the entire program on the official Facebook page and Instagram profile.