With the influx of entrepreneurs from all over the world, the capital city of Ukraine now boasts of a myriad of dining choices for locals and visitors. In the recent years, there has been an explosion of new establishments with different themes and cuisine offerings. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Ukrainian fare or on the lookout for international flavours, there is sure to be a restaurant, café or a bar that serves up whatever your craving is at the moment. For a sampling of Kyiv’s best food places, here is a list of the top 10 city restaurants:
1. Shinok
A “shinok” is a small tavern in old Ukraine. The Shinok restaurant located in Presnya Street recaptures the feel of an old world Ukrainian farmhouse. Said to be one of the best traditional home-style Ukrainian restaurant in the city, the menu features offerings such as borsch, pirozhki, vareniki as well as pork fat with garlic and pickled cucumbers. Shinok also offers a wide selection of Crimean wines and the famous Ukrainian vodka, gorilka.
2. Lypskyi Osobnyak
The Lypskyi Mansion situated in the posh residential district of Lipsky is said to be the home of Ukrainian haute cuisine. The meals are inspired by 17th century recipes. Lipsky is also reputed to have the finest wine cellar in the country with over 800 different top vintage wines. It also sells its own quality distilled vodka.
3. Nobel
Situated in Velyka Vasylkivska Street is a trendy and innovative restaurant that serves up both good food and a unique but cosy dining atmosphere. The Nobel Restaurant, named after the inventor Alfred Bernhard Nobel is touted as one of the best restaurants in Kyiv since its opening in 2002. The creative menu is a joy to read and explore : “Pleasure Mix” are cold appetizers, “Miracle of the Sea” is a seafood soup of squid, shrimps and sea comb, and “Good Promises” lives up to its name as a salad of sturgeon, red caviar, quail eggs, carrot, potatoes and apples in Tartar and shrimp sauces.
4. Walter’s
An unpretentious first-class Italian restaurant in Sagaydachnogo Street, Walter’s has always been a local favorite, known for its authentic Northern Italian style pizzas and its scrumptious gelato (handmade Italian ice cream).
5. Buddha-Bar Kiev
As part of the worldwide specialty franchise of Buddha-bars, this Kreschatyk haven for foodies and lounge-bar fans boasts of three levels to accommodate more customers. There’s a restaurant featuring Fusion Asia cuisine, a lounge-zone located at the Mezzanine for those who just want to hang out and enjoy the music and drinks, and finally a VIP-zone good for a party of 50 persons.
6. Nobu
Within walking distance from the Dvorets Sporta metro station is one of the city’s best Japanese restaurants. A fashionable establishment, Nobu serves up authentic and fresh Japanese specialties like sushi, sashimi and tempura dishes. The restaurant’s executive chef hails from the Japanese town of Sendai and is responsible for creating gourmet creations that are a delight for all the senses.
7. Egoist
Imagine a restaurant that offers a library with a unique book collection, a cigar room, a stylish bar and dining halls for different moods and settings. This is the Egoist restaurant, located along the Moskovskaya Street, said to be “created by egoists for egoists.” The restaurant tables are named for celebrated characters and personalities like Salvador Dali and Coco Chanel.
8. Pantagruel
Risotto, pasta, pizza and wines: staples of Italian cuisine elevated to first-class standards in the osteria that is Pantagruel. Located on Lysenko Street near the famous Golden Gate, this Italian restaurant was named after the strong and jolly giant “Pantagruel” from the story of Italian writer Francois Rabelais. It also proudly showcases wines from all over the world - Europe, Australia, Chile, South Africa and Georgia, as well as the wine-producing regions of Italy.
9. Corsair
For a unique dining experience, head out to Sagaydachnogo Street and come onboard the Corsair Restaurant. Designed like an ancient ship, the restaurant’s interiors recreate a ship’s mess hall, complete with lanterns, candelabras, cordage and beamed ceilings. It offers a diverse and world-class menu with Ukrainian dishes at the top of the list and specialty drinks with nautical themes.
10. Kazbek
Situated in Lesi Ukrainki Boulevard, Kazbek offers the best of Georgian cuisine – satsivi, kumchachi liver and pahlava are among the dishes served up in this cosy and artfully decorated restaurant. Diners can also be treated to special wine-tasting in the restaurant’s wine board, guided by skilled sommeliers.