Restaurant Dubravkin put was voted the best restaurant in Zagreb for 2016 and the second best in the whole Croatia by the ”Dobri restorani” restaurant guide. The concept of their cuisine is innovative Mediterranean and if you want to try the excellent and creative dishes in Zagreb this is a restaurant you must visit.

Many do not know that Dubravkin put was once called Sofijin put, named after the wife of Ban Jelačić, Countess Sofia Jelačić. The name is then changed to Dubravkin put in 1949 by the play of Ivana Gundulića called ”Dubravka”. Few minutes from Ilica, the main street of Zagreb, and below the magnificent villas and summer houses of the former noble families, stands the most beautiful Zagreb restaurant, Dubravkin put.

The restaurant area is conceptually divided into three parts. On the right side of the entrance there is an elegant hall decorated with fifty seats, while on the other side, separated with impressive wine cabinet, they have a wine bar dominated by a long bar with high stools. As most of the wines can be ordered by the glass this is the place to taste the exquisite labels paired with tapas, bruschettas and small snacks. Behind the wine bar there is a separate room for private dinners, tastings and similar events.

Large glass walls and terrace opened to the woods are ideal for a pleasant gathering with a glass of good wine and food prepared by chef Priska Thuring. Canadian chef who is already well known to the Croatian audience came as a reinforcement and refreshments from Rovinj’s luxury hotel Lone.

With Priska as an ambitious chef, Marko Rundek as the top wine connoisseurs, sommelier and restaurant manager, they have a praiseworthy pastry chef Robert Bašić, an ambassador of the Belgian Callebaut chocolate.

The concept of the kitchen is oriented on modern Mediterranean cuisine, wine is still the best in town with approximately 500 carefully selected labels and relaxed atmosphere in the aforementioned wonderful place.

In addition to the à la carte, chef Priska offers two tasting menus of 9 or 12 courses costing 45 euros and 60 euros. The restaurant is regularly filled in for lunch time where Priska offers something simpler, more rustic and cost-favorable meals. ” I try to get the best ingredients, I visit Dolac market on a daily basis, while sea food and fish are still coming through well chosen path of the Adriatic Sea ‘ says chef Priska.

The menu is all in the sign of number four. It is divided into 4 cold and 4 hot appetizers, 4 soups and 4 main fish and meat dishes. On the other hand there are more desserts on the menu and for their creations we can thank top pastry chef Robert Bašić.

Given that in Zagreb you can find only a few good restaurants with international cuisine, Dubravkin put is imposed as an excellent choice to experience a gastronomic journey through the Mediterranean. The interpretations of Italian, French, Egyptian, Lebanese and Croatian national cuisine, very nicely balanced, technically correctly implemented, interesting flavors and visually attractive plates with a soft and delicate feminine touch by chef Priska.

We recommend the prawn tartar with black brioche, soft cherry jelly which gives good acid while peaches balance the dish with mild sweetness and make a very nice cold appetizer. Beef cheek carpaccio with dates, smoked yoghurt and cucumber are a living proof that cheeks and dates really match, a crispness and freshness of cucumber with smoked yogurt make it more exciting. You should try delicious scallops with a thin pistachio crust on a broad bean and porcini ragout with chicory.

An interesting decision to refresh you with a concentrated oxtail soup after 5-6 courses was a real surprise. Often chefs decide on a sorbet or granite as a course that will make that kind of pause in the tasting menu and refresh you for another 1-2 main dishes, but hot soup with beef tail and tiny pieces of root vegetables are an interesting and original approach. As a main meat dish definitely try lamb on bulgur with almonds and honey, and be sure to leave a room for dessert(s). Desserts in Dubravkin put are amazing, not only with their appearance but also with a rhapsody of flavors. The service is among the best in Croatia, as it befits a fine dining restaurant of this level.

Restoran Dubravkin put,

Dubravkin put 2, Zagreb

dubravkin-put.com

info@dubravkin-put.com

Text:  Hrvoje Petrić

Photography: Dean Dubokovič/Zoran Marinović