Ante Trutin is director of operations at Konzum, the leading supermarket chain in Croatia. He was born in Imotski, near Dubrovnik, but has lived and worked in Zagreb for many years. He’s married with two small children.

Where do you live and why?

Malesnica, a neighbourhood in western Zagreb. Because it’s a new residential area, it’s well organised and has everything we need: schools, kindergartens, large shopping centres nearby, a library, medical centre and plenty of sports facilities.

What advice would you give a tourist? Any must-dos?

I think they definitely shouldn’t miss the Upper Town, the Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), the Croatian National Theatre, the Church of St Mark and the cathedral. Then there are museums such as the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the City of Zagreb and the Croatian History Museum, plus a few galleries. And if you like the outdoors, maybe Jarun Lake, Maksimir Park (and the zoo), the Botanical Gardens or Sljeme.

What advice would you give a visiting businessperson?

It’s really important to be flexible and adaptable. But since we Croatians are very open and always ready to make friends, I don’t think that anyone who comes to do business in Zagreb should have any particular problems.

What and where have been your most memorable meals?

In my personal opinion, the best restaurant in Zagreb is Stari Puntijar, which is in the hills below the Sljeme peak, because it’s a true Croatian restaurant in the traditional style.

They serve a variety of food such as game, wild mushrooms, Croatian pastries including strukli, and a whole range of local specialities made according to old recipes. If I had to choose the best meal there, it would have to be one of the dishes made with local beef. At Stari Puntijar you can still see old customs—such as opening champagne bottles with a sword!

Where would you take a client to wow them?

Of course, to Stari Puntijar, but also to Hrvatski Kulturni Klub, Vinodol, Pri Zvoncu, Dubravkin Put, Klub Knjizevnika, or Leut on Jarun Lake.

What do you miss about Zagreb when you’re away?

The fact that, in the main, everything’s close to hand and at any time of night or day—which isn’t the case in other Croatian cities.