Vincek confectionary is iconic to Zagreb. I remember while living abroad as a kid and coming to Zagreb for winter holidays, it was a must-go place when going for a walk in the city center. Vincek stands for long queues to get an ice cream in spring and summer or chestnut mousse with whipped cream when days get shorter and the weather colder. Vis à Vis was Vincek’s positively surprising move.

The spot was opened in Tomićeva street under the funicular, right around the corner of the oldest Vincek shop in Ilica. The inside is small and illuminated, and when I don’t take a carrot, ginger and almond favored ice-cream and stroll around the streets, I definitely prefer having a chestnut cake on the small street terrace in front.

What’s appealing about Vis à Vis (apart from being super-delicious) is that there is a large variety of gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan sweets on offer, something that’s still not that easy to find in Zagreb. The cakes are made with brown sugar, stevia and agave syrup and often include some rather surprising ingredients when it comes to cakes: sweet potato, mint, flax seeds or olive oil. Although you might be suspicious about the combinations of flavors on offer, once you dare to go beyond the familiar, you will rarely regret it. In Vis à Vis for sure I never have.