Zagreb’s Strossmayer Square has been transformed into a lively celebration of Latin American food, cocktails and culture, with 11 food and drink stands serving dishes inspired by Mexico, Peru and Cuba alongside creative interpretations by some of Croatia’s leading chefs.
Fiesta Latina, which opened on Monday, 24 August, has already attracted a large crowd, with the festival combining street food, cocktails, music and dancing in the heart of the Croatian capital.
During a visit on the opening day, we sampled dishes and drinks from all 11 stands, offering everything from Cuban classics and Mexican tacos to Peru
At Blend Bar by Filip Lipnik, visitors can
At Blend Bar by Filip Lipnik, visitors can choose from cocktails including Bloom, made with gin, green tea, mango and tonic, and Ginger Fiesta, combining tequila, passion fruit, fresh lime and ginger beer.
Cubano by Institut za burgere, led by chef Mate Janković, serves the classic Cuban sandwich with pulled pork, Emmental cheese, cooked ham, pickles and hot mustard. Other options include Caribbean Beef Quesadilla and Havana Sweet Potato.
Cuban sandwich (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Chef Mate Janković (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Nachurros focuses on loaded nachos with chicken, melted cheese, guacamole and salsa, alongside churros.
Cuban sandwich and Bloom koktel by Filip Lipnik (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Mexican flavours take centre stage
At Taquería Cato, the menu includes Spicy Margarita, Chorizo Mexicano, Carnitas and Birria Beef served with broth for dipping. There are also Frijoles de la Olla and Berenjenas con Mole Verde, combining grilled and pickled aubergine with a green mole sauce made from pumpkin seeds, chilli and herbs.
Cato – Chorizo Mexicano (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Cato – Birria (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Chef Tom Gretić brings his own take
Chef Tom Gretić brings his own take on Latin street food with the MexBurg, featuring mozzarella, guacamole, chipotle mayonnaise and pickled red onion, as well as a Choripan with grilled sausage, focaccia and chimichurri.
Chef Tom Gretić (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Tres Tacos by chef Mario Mihelj offers tacos including Tex Mex Chicken and Birria Beef, while Noel Street, led by chef Ivan Temšić, presents dishes such as Chicken Mole Tacos, pulled-pork empanadas, Tuna Tostada and CornRibs.
Noel Street (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Tres Tacos – Birria Beef (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
At Papoy Latina, chef Matija Pavlic has created Tuna Fiesta, combining fresh tuna and avocado with black bean and lime cream, chipotle mayonnaise, red onion, coriander and nachos. The menu also includes beef anticuchos, shrimp ceviche, quesadillas and nachos.
Papoy Latina – Tuna Fiesta (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Sabor by Soirée offers Tortilla Española con Carnitas,
Sabor by Soirée offers Tortilla Española con Carnitas, combining Spanish omelette with slow-roasted pork, as well as other Latin-inspired dishes.
Sabor by Soirée – chef Nikola Ljubojević (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
The final stop is Dónde está Jorge?, where pastry chef Juraj Klepić has introduced two new desserts. Dulce Corn combines cookie ice cream and caramel with fried corn and cinnamon popcorn, while Choco Fuego combines chocolate and chilli with ice cream and crispy nachos.
Choco Fuego and Tres Leches (Photo: Ante Dvoravić)
Alongside the food, the festival programme includes DJ performances, free dance, cooking and cocktail workshops, Wine & Paint sessions, a Saturday flea market and two themed parties.
The programme includes an RNB Confusion: Bad Bunny
The programme includes an RNB Confusion: Bad Bunny Special on Wednesday and a Bailar Latino Party on Saturday.
Fiesta Latina runs until 30 August, bringing together Zagreb residents and visitors for a week of Latin American-inspired food, music and entertainment.
Location: Josip Juraj Strossmayer Square, Zagreb
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00–00:00; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00–00:00
For the full programme, workshop registrations and daily updates, visitors can follow Fiesta Latina on Instagram and Facebook.
Source: www.croatiaweek.com
