Dining is more than just fueling your body; it's an experience, a memory, a journey, an explosion of emotions. Nothing else can make us smile or cry like food. Sometimes, it's magic. And NAV, under the culinary mastery of Chef Tvrtko Šakota, proves just that.
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Photo credit:
Igor Sitar
Creative Dishes from Organically Grown Ingredients
Located at Masarykova Street at the heart of Zagreb, NAV constantly pushes the boundaries by creating uncompromising and original dishes from organically grown ingredients. This unique niche restaurant emphasizes authentic and local cuisine, with a tasting menu based on seasonal ingredients at its peak. Each dish is a playful exploration of flavors, textures, and unusual combinations.
From meticulously prepared appetizers to outstanding main courses and irresistible desserts, every meal at NAV represents a true culinary journey through diverse tastes and textures. Exploring old, often forgotten Croatian dishes alongside modern techniques is fundamental to NAV's culinary approach. They focus on food preparation methods to extract the best flavors in a slightly different way.
"My desire is to cook freely, seeking perfect combinations of flavors, scents, and textures, and to bring out the best in every ingredient. I am happy to have the opportunity to do what I love, and I must thank my team who accompany me on this journey," says Chef Tvrtko Šakota.
NAV collaborates with local family farms, small producers, growers, and wild plant collectors, ensuring the highest quality and freshest ingredients. Best of all, their tasting menu is not fixed but tailored to each guest according to their personal preferences. Along with the tasting menu, they offer the possibility of wine pairing to perfectly complement each meal with selected wines.
Bread Lovers Will Love This
This Zagreb restaurant also has a special story about bread. Each day, they bake several types, each with its unique story. The bread is made using Tvrtko's 24-year-old starter and enhanced with seasonal ingredients for a richer flavor. They use biodynamic wheat, which is milled in-house at a stone mill in Rastoke. It is hand-kneaded and carefully baked in a gas oven to preserve the authenticity and taste of traditional bread. Each piece of bread has its own taste, scent, and color, served with carefully curated accompaniments that complement the entire gastronomic experience. Their ultimate goal is to evoke your emotions and provide a gastronomic experience that will linger in your memory.
VIP experience
Dining at NAV is not just about eating; it's about experiencing the artistry of a chef who sees cooking as a form of expression, a way to connect with people and evoke emotions through food. The ambiance, the flavors, and the personal touch of Chef Šakota and his team create a dining experience that transcends the ordinary and ventures into the extraordinary. The intimate setting, hosting only ten guests, makes dining at NAV feel like a VIP experience. The restaurant is often fully booked weeks in advance. Therefore, be sure to reserve your table in time and immerse yourself in Šakota's culinary magic.
For more information, check out their website or follow them on their Instagram page @navrestaurant.
Photo credit:
Igor Sitar