Made in Croatia

Volim Ljuto produces some of the finest hot sauces in this part of Europe. Croatian cuisine is generally light on the spice, so the popularity of this spicy sauce is a happy surprise. The chilies are grown out of their farm in the pastoral Krapina-Zagorje county, and the product is sold in the company-owned shop ‘Spicy Days’ in Zagreb, besides shelves full of craft beer, hot sauces and marinades. The uber-cool branding and flavorsome, piquant quality of their hot sauce has garnered attention beyond Croatia, and they now ship internationally from their website. 

Made on commission, these eminently affordable, voguish bags are handcrafted using eco-leather and string. Created by Zagreb fashion graduate Lucija Gudek, these two-tone bags are produced in an array of colours, tailor-made to fit your style. They’re a big hit with Zagreb’s fashion-conscious student crowd, and a steal at just €15.

Characterised by bright colourblock patterns, these fabulously vibrant sunglasses are one of Croatia’s most recognisable exports. Designed by Mauro Massarotto, a former creative at Italian label Elesse, these unique accessories were quickly swallowed up by the world of showbiz fashion. His funky eyewear brand now claims fans as diverse as Rihanna and The Klaxons, are sold in over thirty countries.

Veteran Split punk rocker Marinko Biškić the brains behind Nadalina, a range of unique, Dalmatian- flavoured chocolate bars that have become something of a cult purchase in recent years. Not surprisingly given Biškić’s background, one of Nadalina’s best-selling items is a piece of chocolate in the form of a 7-inch single (featuring retro Italian hit Guarda che Luna), which can actually be played on a turntable prior to eating.

This handy sidetable is made by Love, Ana, a design studio in Zagreb. Their ambient shop is like a lookbook for minimalist Scandi-living with neutral-coloured designs, natural lines and plenty of sleek wood and metalwork.