La Struk

La Struk is a small, casual restaurant at Skalinska ulica 5 in Gornji Grad, Zagreb's Upper Town, devoted entirely to strukli, the cheese pastry of Croatia's Zagorje region. Strukli is one of the dishes most closely associated with Zagreb and the surrounding Hrvatsko Zagorje, and La Struk makes it the whole point of the menu rather than a side offering. The pastry is a thin dough filled with fresh cheese and cooked in one of two traditional ways: baked in the oven until the top is golden and slightly crisp, or boiled for a softer, more delicate result. Both versions appear in savoury and sweet forms, and a variant with truffles is among the signature dishes, giving a richer take on the classic. Cuisine is firmly Zagorje home cooking, so there is no fine-dining pretension; portions are generous and the food is meant to be filling. The room is informal and busy at midday, with a quick-turnover, walk-in character that suits sightseers working through the Upper Town. It sits close to the Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), making it a convenient lunch stop between the cathedral, St Mark's Church and the Lotrscak Tower. Noise levels are moderate to lively when full, and dress is entirely casual. Drinks are simple, with local wine and soft drinks accompanying the pastry rather than a wine programme as such. Prices are low for central Zagreb: a typical meal costs about EUR 7-14 (approx USD 8-16), which makes it one of the more affordable ways to eat in the historic centre. Reservations are not normally needed, since it operates on a walk-in basis, though groups are advised to book ahead using the listed telephone number. Opening is generally daily from about 9AM to 10PM, with hours varying by season. The best strategy at peak lunchtime is to arrive slightly before noon or in the mid-afternoon lull to avoid waiting for a table.