Sacred sandwich shop Pingvin enjoys a cult-like status in Zagreb, having served the city's finest and most reasonably priced sandwiches for over 30 years. This carby-pitstop is a defining feature of Zagrebian nightlife, where the drunk and hungry congregate to eat extravagantly-stuffed 20 kuna sandwiches, served until 4 am every day. And not your standard post-night out fare, either - you can opt for sizzlingly fresh steak with roast peppers or a crispy fillet of seabass wrapped in an olive ciabatta. Kebab shop this is not.
So the sight of boarded-up windows at Pingvin has left us feeling rather shaken and confused. There's no way that this crazily popular sandwich bar could shut its doors on us, right? RIGHT?
Well, Pingvin has broken the uncomfortable silence to reassure us with the news that the city's beloved sandwich bar will be fully operational by May 17 after a refurb.
Maybe it's good news, too: the menu is undergoing some changes, with a new seasonal weekly menu plus new soups, salads and puddings. Now you know where to go for your late-night cheesecake fix.
You can find Pingvin on Teslina 7, reopening (soon) between 8 am and 4 am.