Maryna Lysenko, Ukrajinka pod privremenom zaštitom, ostvaruje svoj davni san o otvaranju ugodnog mjesta s ukusnim jelovnikom. Njezin restoran autentične ukrajinske kuhinje „Dubrava“ u Zagrebu nudi gostima domaća i svečana tradicionalna jela. Ovdje možete kušati gotovo sva jela čije su recepte čitatelji portala Zmaj.info vidjeli u rubrici ”Recepti“. Također, možete porazgovarati s Marynom i osobno osjetiti ukrajinsko gostoprimstvo.

O dolasku u Hrvatsku

Maryna: S početkom sveobuhvatnog rata izvela sam cijelu obitelj u Hrvatsku: sina, bake i ostale rođake iz Harkiva. [Harkiv, grad na istoku Ukrajine, napadnut je od prvih minuta velikog rata, a granatiranja iz svih vrsta oružja traju svakodnevno.] Otišla sam na more jer ga jako volim, a htjela sam se i odmoriti.

No, od tada Maryna nije imala odmora. Po obrazovanju i radnom iskustvu Maryna je stručnjakinja za zaštitu na radu i revizorica. Za nostrifikaciju diplome trebalo bi previše vremena, pa se odlučila realizirati u poslu. U Splitu je otvorila kozmetički salon i ukrajinski restoran „Marinad“. Nažalost, izvan turističke sezone posao se slabo razvijao. Ušteđevina je bila pri kraju i Maryna se već spremala za povratak kući. Marynin suprug živi i radi u Ukrajini, a nju je zadržala samo misao o sigurnosti sina školarca.

O restoranu u Zagrebu

Maryna: Već sam bila spremna odustati kada sam vidjela oglas na Njuškalu. Svidio mi se prostor, iako se ne nalazi u centru. Restoran je otvoren prvog listopada 2025. godine. Uredili smo ga u tradicionalnom stilu. Svi ručnici (rušnici), staze, dekor – sve smo donijeli iz Ukrajine.

U restoranu „Dubrava“ poslužuju se topla i zdrava domaća jela, poslužuju se banketi i proslave. Također nude besplatnu dostavu hrane po Zagrebu i transfer do restorana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maryna: Dugo sam željela otvoriti restoran, ali to nije jednostavan posao. U „Dubravu“ sam uložila svu svoju ušteđevinu. Moj cilj je razvoj: ukrajinske kuhinje, mojih zaposlenika [u restoranu rade Ukrajinke], i konačno, gospodarstva zemlje koja nas je ugostila. Odlučna sam raditi, a ne tražiti pomoć.

Također razvijamo naš jelovnik. Uz popularna jela, pečenu patku, salatu od haringe i zakuske na bazi sala, dodat ćemo i „ukrajinske ćevape“ [gosti često pitaju za jela uobičajena u Hrvatskoj] s našim nacionalnim okusom i karakterom.

Za blagdane restoran „Dubrava“ poziva na tradicionalni banket povodom proslave Nove godine. Također nudi i posebnu dostavu blagdanskog jelovnika. Restoran radi bez slobodnih dana i tijekom praznika.

Osim toga, ljubitelji ukrajinskih jela imaju priliku naručiti polugotova jela i druge proizvode u online trgovini https://slavmarket.com.hr.

Mafija u „Dubravi“

Osim gastronomskih avantura, u restoranu se može igrati i „Mafija“. [„Mafija“ je društveno-intelektualna igra za veće društvo.] Prvi susret s profesionalnom voditeljicom održat će se već 23. prosinca.

Redakcija želi Maryni i restoranu „Dubrava“ uspjeh, vjerne goste i prosperitet. A gostima restorana – dobar tek!

A Taste of Ukraine in Croatia

Maryna Lysenko, a Ukrainian under temporary protection, is turning her long-held dream of opening a cozy place with a delicious menu into reality. Her restaurant of authentic Ukrainian cuisine, “Dubrava,” in Zagreb offers guests home-cooked and festive traditional dishes. Here, you can taste almost all the dishes the recipes of which Zmaj.info readers have seen in the “Recepti” (Recipes) section. You can also chat with Maryna and experience Ukrainian hospitality firsthand.

About arriving in Croatia

Maryna: With the start of the full-scale war, I brought my whole family to Croatia: my son, grandmothers, and other relatives from Kharkiv. [Kharkiv, a city in eastern Ukraine, was attacked from the first minutes of the full-scale war; shellings from all types of weapons continue daily.] I went to the sea because I love it very much and wanted to rest.

However, Maryna hasn’t had any rest since then. By education and work experience, Maryna is an occupational health and safety specialist and an auditor. Confirming her education would have taken too much time, so she decided to venture into business. In Split, she opened a beauty salon and a Ukrainian restaurant called “Marinad.” Unfortunately, the business struggled during the non-tourist season. Her savings were running out, and Maryna was already preparing to return home. Maryna’s husband lives and works in Ukraine; only the thought of her school-age son’s safety kept her here.

About the restaurant in Zagreb

Maryna: I was ready to give up when I saw an ad on “Njuškalo.” I liked the premises, even though it’s not in the center. The restaurant opened on October 1, 2025. We decorated the restaurant in a traditional style. All the embroidered towels (rushnyks), table runners, and decor were brought from Ukraine.

“Dubrava” restaurant serves hot and healthy home-cooked meals and caters to banquets and holidays. They also offer free food delivery throughout Zagreb and a transfer service to the restaurant.

Maryna: I have wanted to open a restaurant for a long time, but it’s a difficult business. I invested all my savings into “Dubrava.” My goal is development: of Ukrainian cuisine, of my employees [the restaurant employs Ukrainian women], and ultimately, the economy of the country that sheltered us. I am determined to work, not to ask for help.

We are also developing our menu. To the popular dishes like roasted duck, herring salad, and salo-based snacks, we will add “Ukrainian ćevapi” [guests often ask for dishes common in Croatia] with our national flavor and character.

For the holidays, “Dubrava” invites guests to a traditional New Year’s banquet. It also offers a special holiday menu delivery service. The restaurant is open every day, including holidays.

In addition, lovers of Ukrainian dishes can order semi-finished products and other goods from the online store https://slavmarket.com.hr.

“Mafia” at Dubrava

Besides gastronomic adventures, guests can also play “Mafia” at the restaurant. [“Mafia” is a social-intellectual game for a large company.] The first meeting with a professional host will take place on December 23.

The editorial team wishes Maryna and “Dubrava” restaurant success, loyal guests, and prosperity. And to the restaurant’s guests—Smachnogo!