Slobodan Bobo Čimbur was a Croatian restaurateur who, with immense enthusiasm and persistence, created one of the most famous restaurants in the country from a small cellar on Zagreb’s Nova Vesa. Čimbur bought the Stara Ves bar together with his wife Mirjana in 1982 and turned it into a restaurant Baltazar. In the decades that followed, Baltazar became a temple of Zagreb and Croatian gastronomy – a place where presidents, prime ministers, athletes, artists and countless gourmets were happy to come. Although he never trained as a restaurateur, his eye for quality, love for food and wine, and the feeling for a good team turned him into one of the most important restaurateurs in Croatia.
Early life and background
- Personal information: The exact date of birth of Slobodan Čimbur has not been made public. In an interview from 2021, he said that he was 68 years old then and that he had Baltazar baptismal name. Based on the available statements, it can be concluded that he was born in the early 1950s, but the precise year and place of birth are not known.
- Baptism and nickname: Čimbur said that filmmakers once asked for copyright for the name of his restaurant, thinking that it was taken from the cartoon Professor Baltazar; Then he showed them a baptismal certificate that proved that Baltazar His baptismal name. However, he was known to the public Bobo.
- Entering the hospitality: As a young man, he worked in the system of joint labor, but in 1979 he decided to start his own business. Three years later, with the help of a father-in-law who was a restaurateur for many years, he bought the Stara ves bar in the Kaptol manor at the address Nova Ves 4. The bar was then divided into a small cafe and restaurant with about thirty seats. Although he did not have a formal catering school, Čimbur gathered an experienced team of waiters and mentors, among whom were Vlado Kutnjak and Ladislav Klaj Laci.
- Wife and family: He built the restaurant together with his wife Mirjana. In the announcement of the Baltazar restaurant on the occasion of Gault‑&‑Millau’s confession in 2025, it was written that Bobo came 43 years ago “hand in hand with his eternal support and inspiration, Mirjana”. to Zagreb’s Nova ves”. He considered his wife a key support in his private and business life. The couple has two children – Igor and Tamara. In the last years of life, the children joined in running the restaurant and built a reputation in Zagreb’s hospitality industry themselves. In an interview from 2021, Čimbur said that he grew up among the chefs and that his father already led Baltazar when he was born.
Career and why he is famous
The beginnings and creation of Baltazar
- First season (1981–87): Čimbur opened a bar in Nova Vesa for the first time in 1981 – at the age of 29 He visited the neighbors looking for salad and other groceries because there were many more guests than they expected that first evening. In the beginning, the restaurant served French cuisine with steaks and pork loin.
- Extension and grill: At the beginning of the 1990s, Čimbur got the opportunity to expand into the yard; In 1993, he remodeled a large restaurant and called the whole complex Baltazarand called the other two spaces Gašpar and Melchior according to the biblical three kings. He also founded a fourth place Bobolino, named after him. He emphasized that fish and meat kitchens cannot go together, so he literally made two separate kitchens – one for fish and the other for meat. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Baltazar was known as a barbecue: in the mid-1990s, it became one of Zagreb’s most popular barbecue shops.
The enormous growth and status of a cult restaurant
- Moving to Fine Dinning: After ten years, Baltazar evolved from the grill into a classic meat-fish restaurant with precise cooking. Between 2001 and 2009, the restaurant enjoyed incredible popularity; Without a reservation, it was not possible to have dinner, and the wine list even contained prestigious wines such as Cristal and Petrus. In that period, the restaurant was a favorite place of the political elite and business people, and it even served as a kind of “reserve office” of the then Prime Minister Ive Sanader.
- Cooperation and kitchen development: Many later famous Croatian chefs came to Baltazar – for example Tomislav Špiček, Mate Janković, Antonio Šelendić and Toni Šelendić. In 1992, Čimbur was one of the first to start organizing promotions of butelated wines together with winemakers such as Ivan enjingi, Zdjelarević and Vlado Krauthaker, which encouraged the development of wine culture in Zagreb. He was known for a rich wine shop where rare wines were kept; In one conversation, he mentioned that he keeps Krauthaker’s Graševina from 1992 and that he was happy to consult with wine journalist Željko Suhadolnik.
- Baltazar2 and new generations: In 2021, the restaurant marked 40 years of work, and Čimbur proudly said that he was led by his two children. In the same period, it was opened Baltazar2, a fine‑dining project in which chef Matija worked. This transfer was one of the most significant culinary events, and it showed that Čimbur’s restaurant remains relevant and innovative.
- Retirement and inheritance: In an interview in 2012, Čimbur mentioned that he plans to retire formally soon and leave the management of the restaurant to his son, emphasizing how much he appreciates long-term employees. His employees often stayed for decades, which contributed to the stability and reputation of the restaurant.
Death
Slobodan Čimbur died on September 1 September 2023. After a short and serious illness. He was 71 The news of his death was published by numerous media who called him the legendary restaurateur and one of the people who shaped the Zagreb restaurant scene. Politicians, athletes and public figures gathered at his funeral in Mirogoj, which testifies to his influence and popularity.
TV appearances and public appearances
There is no information that Slobodan Čimbur participated in television competitions or reality shows. He performed as an interlocutor in newspaper interviews in which he spoke about his beginnings, cuisine and love for wine.
Age, height and private details
- age: Čimbur was 68 years old when in February 2021. gave an interview in Večernji list. He died at the age of 71. September 2023.
- height and net value: Data on his height, body weight or financial wealth are not publicly available. Since this is private information, such details have not been published in the media or in official biographies.
- Family: He was in a long marriage with his wife Mirjana. They have a son Igor and a daughter Tamara, who took over the management of the restaurant. Čimbur enjoyed hunting, so in an interview he mentioned that sometimes he brings a wild boar from the forest of Cres to prepare goulash or pâté from it. He was an avid wine lover; He liked to collect rare bottles and participated in many wine fairs.
Social networks and online presence
Slobodan Čimbur alone was not active on social networks, but the restaurant Baltazar It has official profiles. On the Instagram profile @restoranbaltazar1982 there is a post from March 2025. which describes how Bobo and Mirjana arrived at Nova Ves in 43 years earlier and gathered around them people who meet the high standards of the restaurant. The announcement states that today the restaurant is managed by their children Igor and Tamara. The official profile is used to promote the offer of restaurants, special menus and recognitions such as Gault && Millau.
Public interest and searches
For Čimbur’s biography, demand increased after his death. Internet users often search:
- “Who is Slobodan (Bobo) Chimbur?” – The interest comes from the fact that he was the founder and owner of the cult restaurant Baltazar and one of the key figures of Zagreb’s gastronomy.
- “Why is the restaurant called Baltazar?” – The name comes from Chimbur’s baptismal name; He had to show a baptismal paper to a film crew who wanted to use the name.
- “When did Bobo Chimbur die and how old was he?” – He passed away on the 1st September 2023. at the age of 71 after a short illness.
- “Who runs the restaurant today?” – The management of Baltazar was taken over by Igor and Tamara Čimbur, with the support of a long-term team.
- “Which famous chefs started in Baltazar?” – Tomislav Špiček, Mate Janković, Antonio Šelendić and others passed through the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How old was Slobodan Chimbur when he died?
He died at the age of 71. September 2023.
Is Baltazar a cartoon name?
No. Baltazar is Chimbur’s baptismal name; Because of his similarity with Professor Baltazar, he once had to show a baptismal certificate to film authors.
When was the Baltazar restaurant open?
In 1982, Čimbur bought the Stara bar Stara Ves with his wife Mirjana and turned it into a restaurant; In 1993, he remodeled the facility and decided to call it Baltazar.
Why is Baltazar considered cult?
In the mid-1990s, the restaurant became one of Zagreb’s most popular barbecues. In the decade from 2001 to 2009, it was in such demand that it was not possible to have dinner without a reservation, and the wine list included prestigious wines. He hosted numerous famous chefs and the political elite.
Who are the members of Slobodan Čimbur’s family?
His wife Mirjana was his life and business partner. They have two children – son Igor and daughter Tamara – who took over the management of the restaurant.
What did he do outside of catering?
He was an avid hunter and wine enthusiast; In an interview, he described how he prepared dishes from pheasant or wild boar and how he collected rare bottles of graševina.
Conclusion
Slobodan Bobo Čimbur left a lasting mark in Croatian gastronomy. From a small bar in the basement, he created a symbol of the Zagreb catering scene thanks to his persistence, vision and loyalty to traditional tastes. Despite the fact that he never trained as a restaurateur, he set high standards in the preparation of meat and fish, promoted Croatian wines early and gathered a team of people who together built the cult status of the restaurant. His children continue the tradition and adapt to modern trends, which ensures that the legacy of Boba Čimbura continues to live. For those who want to follow the development of the restaurant and events related to Baltazar, it is recommended to follow official profiles on social networks and visit the restaurant – a place where the culinary story started more than four decades ago is still nurtured.