NOIR 43

Large storefront windows, a ceiling-spanning mural, industrial lighting, matte black tiles at the bar, and a neon sign that catches your eye from the street all create a scene that feels made for social media. The setting is “Instagrammable”, which is evident in the fact that every frame has depth, texture and atmosphere.

What’s on offer?

This intimate space has an inviting evening ambiance – dim lighting and the glow of neon practically call you in to stop by with friends and stay awhile. Noir 43 also works as a daytime spot, starting with breakfast, where they offer sweet and savory croissants with eggs, different granola variations and small skillet dishes said to be perfect for sharing. In addition, there’s a daily lunch special. As for the à la carte lunch menu, it’s concise but diverse – alongside pâtés and traditional dishes such as krpice sa zeljem (pasta with cabbage), steak tartare and Wiener schnitzel, you’ll also find international classics like Caesar and Niçoise salads, beef bourguignon, the chef’s choice risotto, steak and mussels buzara-style. The evening menu brings a short yet eclectic selection of dishes such as burrata, pâté, Vis-style flatbread, modern takes on soparnik (traditional Dalmatian chard pie), steak tartare, skewers, risotto and ravioli – a combination of comfort food with a touch of culinary ambition.

The wine list is brief, featuring several very good labels that pair nicely with an evening out. Foreign wines prevail, alongside a handful of Croatian labels.

The cocktail list covers all the classics, organized by style, with familiar names and fair prices, nicely rounding out the evening offering.

What did our chefs try?

We started the evening with Vis-style flatbread and soparnik – two dishes with Dalmatian and Poljica roots, presented here in modern versions and served with sauces. Perfect for kicking things off and sharing a few bites over a glass of wine.

Next came the steak tartare, definitely the restaurant’s forte: fresh, hand-cut, well-balanced in flavor, properly seasoned and excellent in texture. It’s a dish that shows the kitchen has the potential to deliver great things. We then moved on to the Wiener schnitzel, the most classic part of the evening, fried in butter, which gave it a distinctive, indulgent touch.

Noir 43 is a great choice for a night out, socializing and soaking up a speakeasy vibe in downtown Zagreb. It’s the kind of place that looks effortlessly good in photos – dark tones, red accents and thoughtful details do half the work, while the atmosphere naturally invites you to capture the moment.