THE MOST MAGICAL LOCATION OF ZAGREB ADVENT

Magical Christmas celebrations, an amazing holiday atmosphere, divine seasonal menus, irresistible Christmas desserts, and hot signature cocktails, a glamorous New Year’s Eve and the Advent FOOLING AROUND spectacle: A sparkling edition on the Oleander Terrace with a fantastic culinary scene and excellent music program is not something to be missed.

The beloved Advent in Zagreb, which many consider one of the best, returns this December brighter than ever. The iconic Oleander Terrace of the Esplanade Hotel,  its magical view of art nouveau buildings and a park with a fountain, stands out among the numerous Advent locations in the city, shining in full splendour as the host this year to – FOOLING AROUND: Sparkling Edition – thereby confirming the status of an established Advent event that, in addition to fantastic energy and atmosphere, brings the finest and most exciting of Zagreb’s Advent – the very top of the local culinary scene and superb musical and stage performances.

The event starts this Friday, 1 December, and will last until 1 January 2024, thus making the Esplanade Hotel the perfect location for a stay in Zagreb and a luxurious base for having a good time. The best of all is that you do not even have to leave the hotel to experience the finest part of Advent in Zagreb. Follow @foolingaroundzagreb on social networks for daily announcements of attractive music and culinary events.

Plan your December gatherings and bring your friends to the Oleander Terrace, indulge in gourmet sensations, and delight in warming cocktails and the street food offer at the Esplanade’s food station. For yet another year, Executive Chef Ana Grgić Tomić is joining the street  scene with her team, bringing a creative collection of comfort food dishes, with delicious marinated beef in a milk bun with homemade shallot marmalade, crispy salad, and a fine yoghurt and cayenne pepper sauce, then oven-roasted crispy crostata with cod cream, pickled fennel in saffron and arugula, along with her must-try hot and delicious homemade croquettes, which Ana has this time prepared with Slavonian kulen and roasted pepper cream. For lovers of soups and stews, there is our hot creamy soup, fresh daily according to the chef’s choice, such as pumpkin or horseradish, while red and white wine cod stew will be traditionally prepared for Christmas Eve. The menu also includes the all-time favourite, legendary Esplanade štrukli filled with fresh cow’s cheese and oven-crisped in fine cream, all prepared by hand in the hotel’s pastry shop. Esplanade’s Pastry Chef and three-time pastry champion Mirjana Špoljar and her team are preparing hot clafoutis, a delicious oven-roasted aromatic dessert with poached pears, cinnamon, and toasted hazelnuts which definitely merits tasting, as well as chocolate and tonka brownies with spicy caramel sauce and peanut ganache. Last year’s hit at the Esplanade’s food station, perfectly pairing with the dishes, were the hot cocktails, which return this December in new sensational signature flavours by Vjenceslav Madić Master Kishoni, the Director of Food and Beverage. Honeymoon with mead, chestnut liqueur, cardamom, and cloves, then mulled wine with blackcurrant liqueur and dehydrated orange, Mr. Foolir with aromatic rum, amaretto liqueur, and local mandarin juice, or Shtrookla Punch – a must-try creative cocktail inspired by Esplanade štrukli that contains yoghurt liqueur, gin, oat milk, mozzarella foam, salted caramel, cardamom and raisins – a selection that will surely delight and warm your taste buds.

This sumptuous hotel has always held a special place in the hearts of the people of Zagreb and over the years has become a favourite place for family gatherings, socialising with friends and partners, Christmas celebrations, and the most glamorous New Year’s Eve in the city. Book your accommodation in one of the luxurious rooms or suites with a view of Zagreb Advent, be at the centre of everything and indulge in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Bar with Christmas Afternoon Tea and a selection of small snacks and desserts served on a tiered stand, warm up with a hot cocktail or hot chocolate with hazelnut and espresso flavour, or taste the Esplanade’s delicious Christmas cake with dried fruit and chocolate. This Advent, get together with you family over traditional Advent brunch at Zinfandel’s – a magical holiday atmosphere awaits you as well as a selection of fine delicacies accompanied by background piano music. Toast to the holidays in the charming Christmas atmosphere of Le Bistro, with special cod dishes and Christmas desserts. Experience the festive day of Christmas in the fairy-tale atmosphere of the Esplanade. And for the craziest night of the year, there is a magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration in the Emerald Ballroom and Zinfandel’s, with a red carpet, premium sparkling wine, a six-course dinner, a musical show program, as well as a children’s New Year’s party – all for a glamorous entry into 2024.

Indulge in the glittering holiday atmosphere of this unique historical hotel in the heart of Zagreb – where good fun is guaranteed.

• More about the holiday offer of the Esplanade Hotel is available at https://advent.esplanade.hr/
• Offer and price list for the Esplanade’s Advent Food Station: https://advent.esplanade.hr/esplanadina-kucica-by-chef-ana-grgic-tomic/
• Book your accommodation at the Esplanade at esplanade.hr

DOWNLOAD PHOTOS: Blagdani u Esplanadi- PR 2023

• PHOTOS THE HOTEL AND CULINARY OFFER AT THE ADVENT FOOD STATION (Esplanade Zagreb Hotel archive)
• PHOTOS – FOOLING AROUND (Photo by Sandro Sklepić, Lili Bašić)