Ukrainian cuisine in Kyiv restaurants is not limited to just borscht with pampushky. Moreover — modern capital venues have taken to rebooting and rethinking it a bit. We tell you about restaurants that follow traditional standards, as well as experimenters who studied Ukrainian tastes from 100 years ago, and cafes that showed authentic dishes can be excellent fast food.
100 Years Ahead
The dishes at this restaurant, located near Andriyivskyy Descent, are curated by Yevhen Klopotenko, so when you visit, be prepared for something unseen before. The venue combines traditional Ukrainian recipes with modern cooking techniques.
Another highlight of the restaurant is a menu exclusively for tourists. If you order dishes in English, you can try borscht with plum jam or salo with various spices.
- Address: Volodymyrska St, 4.
Strichka
Welcome to the restaurant “Strichka” — a contemporary space restaurant that reinterprets Ukrainian traditions and culture through gastronomy, using local products — simple and familiar childhood dishes, but in a modern rendition.
The concept combines elements of authentic folk aesthetics with modern design solutions:
- walls with clay texture, like in old Ukrainian houses,
- ceramics from Opishnia and jugs reminiscent of Trypillian culture,
- tiles imprinted with meadow flowers,
- furniture custom-made by Ukrainian artisans.
The restaurant’s design has been awarded international LIV Hospitality Design Awards in two categories: “Interior of the Year — Themed Restaurant” and “New Interior Brand.”
- Some menu items: Hutsul potato pancake with capelin caviar — 195 UAH, Chopped beef with smoked duck — 365 UAH, Dumplings with stewed beef — 275 UAH, Catfish fillet with stewed eggplants — 365 UAH, Brisket with vegetables — 355 UAH, Honey cake — 185 UAH.
- Address: Kyiv, Beresteiskyi Ave, 53.
Prynada Ukrainian Cafe
Near the Obolon embankment is a venue of the new capital cuisine called Prynada. Here you won’t find stoves, sharovary, or huts, as the owners decided to present authentic cuisine in a new way.
The main interior feature is Petrykivka painting. The main feature of the dishes is unusual combinations of ingredients and flavors and, of course, farm products. For example, here you can try mousse called “Kozhushanka” on toasts. You ask, what is “Kozhushanka”? We answer, it is the familiar “shuba” (layered herring salad). And it’s very tasty here.
- Address: Heroiv Stalingrada Ave, 24.
Tsarske Selo
Tsarske Selo is a cozy and stylish place that invites you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of authentic Ukrainian and Eastern European cuisine. Here you will find fragrant borschts, tender vareniki, and juicy dishes made from natural ingredients, prepared with care and tradition.
A special pride of the venue is its extensive wine list and signature infusions, which perfectly complement every dish. During the warm season, the spacious terrace is open, where you can enjoy delicious food and pleasant company in the shade of greenery.
- Address: Lavrska Street, 22.
Za Dvoma Zaytsiamy (Two Hares)
This is the place to go for authentic Old Kyiv cuisine. This is emphasized by its founder Tetyana Mitrofanova, as all the recipes are a heritage of her family, Kyiv residents for four generations.
Among the dishes, we especially recommend the syrnyky made from farmer’s cheese, which look like Chicken Kyiv cutlets, the actual Chicken Kyiv cutlet itself, and kholodets (meat jelly).
As for drinks, be sure to try the homemade nalivkas. They offer horinovukha (horseradish vodka), cranberry, oak, zest, raspberry, cherry, currant, and fruit-infused varieties.
- Address: Andriyivskyy Descent, 34.
Khutorets on the Dnipro
One of the most atmospheric authentic cuisine venues is located right on the banks of the Dnipro River. “Khutorets on the Dnipro” has been serving guests rich borscht, fluffy vareniki, and the famous Kyiv cake since 1998.
The venue even has a whole vodka room, featuring more than 80 varieties of vodka from all over Ukraine.
The best part: in summer, “Khutorets” opens a terrace right on the water, so you can enjoy Ukrainian dishes while admiring the Kyiv views.
- Address: Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska St, 10A.
Ukrainian Dishes
We assure you: it’s worth traveling to Vidradny just for this restaurant. One of the oldest Ukrainian cuisine venues in Kyiv will greet you with hospitality — at the doorstep, guests are welcomed by Soloha figures who immediately offer homemade nalivkas and salo canapés.
Besides the excellent authentic cuisine (we especially recommend the Ukrainian borscht served in homemade bread), you will also enjoy the music. Folk and pop ensembles often perform at the restaurant.
Among the drinks, the nalivka and “Kuma-Kuma” vodka are especially popular. The latter cannot be tasted at any other restaurant in the capital, as it is prepared according to an original recipe.
- Address: Vidradnyi Avenue, 22.
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