WHEN WORK ENDS, FOOLING AROUND BEGINS!
A new bistro concept has been introduced: unique collaborations between trendy bistros and top bars, combined with the most popular club programs, bringing irresistible energy and setting new trends.
At the relaxed Fooling Around gathering, guests had an exclusive first look at the offerings and program that will transform the Oleander Terrace at Hotel Esplanade into the most desirable afterwork destination in the city this year.
On Wednesday, November 19, at the Esplanade 1925 Lobby & Cocktail Bar, organizers – agencies Kokoš ili jaje, MPG, and Hotel Esplanade Zagreb – unveiled the details of this year’s Fooling Around by Fuliranje. They announced that from November 26, 2025, to January 1, 2026, the Oleander Terrace will once again host the festive Orient Express, with the innovation that each of the nine carriages will feature one restaurant and one bar.
Guests, along with numerous media representatives and social media creators, had the opportunity to experience and taste this year’s Fooling Around bistro concept, which offers relaxed yet thoughtfully crafted cuisine with a focus on high-quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations. This year’s edition merges the most popular creations of young bistro talents with the famous classics of top chefs, creating a modern and inspiring gastro-fusion that will undoubtedly be one of the city’s most special culinary experiences.
A rich gluten-free and vegan offering will delight visitors, and in addition to gathering the most creative bars and mixologists, bars from Zadar, Hvar, and Belgrade will also be featured. The Oleander Terrace will host two of the most popular club programs – RNB Confusion and FRKU – alongside Latin dance workshops and attractive weekend bubbly brunches.
Guests were able to experience the unique mix’n’match vibe brought by the original collaborations of popular restaurants and bars a full week before the official start and immerse themselves in the energy of the city’s best daytime (and afternoon) party this Advent.
At the presentation, crispy salmon sticks and prosciutto croquettes by chef Ana Grgić Tomić were served, along with the famous Esplanade štrukli and a spiced chocolate mousse by Mirjana Špoljar, head pastry chef. The Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar, led by Vjenceslav Madić, offered an unexpected cocktail twist with a pretasting of warm, aromatic cocktails designed as the perfect accompaniment to winter bites.
This year’s star cocktail is The Štrukli Affair, an innovative drink combining yogurt liqueur with salted caramel, fresh pear juice, and a touch of gin, served with a crispy parmesan disc for a surprisingly warm and velvety combination inspired by the famous Esplanade štrukli. For an exotic note, the Esplanade Punch offers a warm tropical-winter harmony of coconut, banana, apple,and cinnamon flavors.
After last year’s debut at Fooling Around, Noel* presents its signature menu again this winter in a funky holiday format, maintaining the Michelin-star standard. Chef Ivan Temšić brings traditional ingredients in unexpected techniques and formats, accompanied by warm-cold cocktails from top Noel* bartenders. At the presentation, smoked ham croquettes with sauerkraut, homemade pickles, young onion mayo, and sour cream were served. Guests can also expect Arancini (roasted turkey, aioli, pomegranate gel, chili oil) and Porchetta Burger (brioche bun, roasted pork roulade, fresh cheese, roasted peppers, honey, mustard).
Peti Kupe x Bora Winery promises plenty of delicious food, excellent wines, and the best atmosphere. The Oleander Terrace will feature Toni Mortadella, Gianna Parmigiana, and other gourmet sandwiches based on Italian delicacies, along with daily dishes like Homemade Lasagne and Pinsa Zagabria, complemented by carefully selected wines and oils from Bora Winery. Known restaurants will also make guest appearances with their specialties.
BioMania brings a fresh addition to the Advent culinary scene, offering exclusively vegan, organic, and gluten-free dishes along with bio wines. Highlights include the Sarma Burger (rice paper filled with sauerkraut, smoked tofu, and spices), Arancini with truffles, BioMania Winter Soup (red lentil, sweet potato, and carrot soup with coconut milk), Buća Burek, Red Curry Bowl, and Arancino Sweet (coconut rice ball filled with hazelnut cream and chocolate, with a crispy gluten-free crust).
Debuting this year at Fooling Around, Debeli Dabar in collaboration with Urania Bar presents a trendy comfort street food concept by Otto Grundman, inspired by local flavors and holiday traditions. We sampled their Legendary Chicken in a bun resembling mlince, finished in chicken fat and stock, filled with smoked pulled chicken, lightly spiced red cabbage, kimchi mayo, and crispy onions. Also featured will be Kobaja with sauerkraut in a flat bun, served with smoked mayo, sauerkraut, and crispy onions. Urania Bar offers a selection of current cocktails inspired by architecture and cinema, focusing on craft execution while remaining approachable.
SoHo Sushi and KOi Bar bring an explosion of Japanese flavors and sophisticated drinks. Highlights include SoHo Handmade Shrimp Balls, Tempura Shrimp, Spring Rolls, Spicy Squid, Chicken Karaage, and the ultimate Sushi Christmas Box with four types of sushi ideal for sharing. KOi Cocktail Bar, led by renowned bartender Marin Karinja, complements with skillfully crafted cocktails balancing winter spices and exotic flavors, both cold and warm. Cold cocktails include Dark & Spicy (Bacardi Spiced rum with ginger) and the floral Sakura Spritz, while bold options include Spiced Daiquiri Shot with winter spices. For warmth, KOi offers hot cocktails like Hot & Spicy (dark rum and butter), a mulled wine version of Sakura Spritz, or Pimento Pear (pear brandy, ginger, and honey).
Melt and Ginglebells bring a festive vibe with brunch and sweet creations, including Christmas Crumble (warm apple crumble with vanilla and cinnamon). Ginglebells will delight with hot and cold cocktails, including their legendary mulled gin and winter versions of favorite drinks.
Returning to the Oleander Terrace is Acrobat Svijet Vina, the exclusive distributor of KOBE products, offering authentic flavors. Visitors can enjoy Kobe steaks, burgers, pizzas, and carefully selected wine labels such as Ornellaia, Billecart-Salmon, Philipponnat, Bastianich, and Juve & Camps.
No Advent is complete without sausages: the Institute for Sausages by Mate Janković offers the finest debrecinkas, Kranjska sausages, and signature varieties in soft brioche buns with masterful sauces.
This year, Central Station brings a host of exciting novelties curated by top bartender and mixologist Filip Lipnik. For Fooling Around, he will present four hot cocktail variants to warm up cold days, two spiked hot chocolates for the perfect holiday mood, and two well-known classics with a “twist.” The central kiosk will also host Colona Bar from Zadar, Kultura Bar from Belgrade, and Lola Bar from Hvar. Additionally, Central Station will welcome the city’s most famous pastry chef, responsible for last year’s “Dubai craze.” So don’t stroll lightly—head straight to the Oleander Terrace, where Gdje je Jura x Mono by Klepić Juraj will serve desserts with realistic fruit.
The rhythm of Fooling Around brings a new afterwork vibe every day: acoustic performances on Tuesdays, Latin dance sessions on Wednesdays with top instructors, R’n’B Confusion on Fridays, and the iconic FRKA program with local urban music on Saturdays.
With numerous guest appearances, surprises, a party program celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hotel Esplanade, an unforgettable Christmas Eve, and the wildest daytime New Year’s celebration, Fooling Around this year combines all the essential ingredients of the holiday spirit: excellent music, creative bites, signature cocktails, and contagious energy leading visitors along a festive route of joy. “In honor of 100 years of Esplanade, we are creating moments to remember that become part of the city’s story, while the Oleander Terrace remains an essential stop on Zagreb’s Advent route,” say the organizers.
All interested visitors can follow Fooling Around on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates and surprises.
Location: Oleander Terrace, Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb
Dates: November 26, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 12:00–23:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–23:00
Christmas Day: 17:00–24:00
St. Stephen’s Day: 12:00–24:00
New Year’s Eve: 12:00–21:00
Entry: free
Photo by Esplanade Zagreb Hotel Archive and Bruno Fantulin
Published: Zagreb, 21 November 2025
