Food, Cocktails & Coffee in Kiev, Ukraine

Last updated: 15 July 2023

2022 Update
We are deeply saddened by what is happening across Ukraine at the moment and our hearts go out to everyone whom has been affected by this ongoing tragedy. Obviously, travel to Ukraine is not an option so please consult your local Government website for guidance and official charities on how to best donate.

This post was written in early 2017 following our visit in late 2016, we hope our Ukraine posts continue to provide some historical context about what travel to Ukraine was once like.

If I was to ask what springs to mind when I mention Ukraine’s capital city of Kiev what would you answer?

Maybe onion-domed Orthodox churches? Freezing temperatures and rugged up locals? Perhaps even the famous, and delicious, Chicken Kiev?

The one thing you may not associate with Kiev is a flourishing food scene providing locals and tourists with a variety of local and international delicacies which will delight your tastebuds and satisfy your cravings. On top of the delightful dining experiences is an assortment of quirky establishments serving delicious cocktails and a unique experience that you will surely remember for a long time.

If you’re planning a visit to Kiev but unsure of where to eat during your trip then look no further. We’ve assembled a list of great places to get some food and bev in Kiev.

Drinking

Craft VS Pub

Their motto is No Water, Only Beer . So right from the get go, you know what you’re going to get. It’s slightly off the tourist trail but this place is worth a visit if you like beer.  These guys stock an impressive number of local beers on tap. I counted about 18 Ukrainian beers delivered in oversized fishbowl-esque glasses.

Located down some stairs in a basement, Craft vs. Pub was far from rocking on the night we visited. We’d suggest grabbing a seat at one of the booths at the far end of the bar for comfort reasons, the high benches and stools in the back room encourage a short term stay.  

Staff behind the counter speak english so no issues with ordering a drink or two. The snacks on the bilingual menu include lamb or pork ribs, jerky, pasties, and fries of varying varieties (bacon & cheese, onion, young potato). Plenty of options to keep you from leaving to seek food.

With a cool vibe and recognisable music through the speakers, you can easily spend a few hours here kicking back.  Whilst there’s no view to take in, with the right group sampling local brew and the snacks you’ll be easily settled in for a few hours.

Average 330ml beer will set you back 45 UAH (£1.33), with a larger 500ml better value at 55 UAH (£1.62).

Pink Freud

This place gets our vote for the BEST name for a bar.  Ever.

A hip cocktail bar that has been converted from a 100 year old house. The bar is located between a couple of office buildings and although it has a lightly enclosed area, don’t worry if visiting during winter, it is kept toasty warm by an assortment of heat lamps. 

The taste-based menu map displays obvious skill and forte of the mixologists. Pink Freud periodically also play host to guest bartenders from other places in Kiev & bring with them bespoke small menus for the evening. There are some mezze options on the food menu.

Walls adorn inspirational quotes and graffiti images of Freud in various forms.

The young staff behind the bar are English speakers with the relaxed (some might consider slow) service you can expect in most hip places. Cocktails are pricey by Kiev standards which makes you question who can afford to drink here.

I ordered a Gin Fizz and Russ opted for a classic Whiskey Sour. Both superb at 120 UAH each, = £3.54.

Druzi

The original venue (Andriivskiy Uzviz 2-D) is a popular choice for guests at the DreamHouse hostel next door. Afterall, Druzi means Friends in Ukrainian.  It’s an extremely casual vibe with friendly chatty hostel guests and a supply of mixed language board games it’s easy to lose a few hours here.

On the menu are tourist favourites of Chicken Kiev, burgers and dumplings (varenyky) which all appeared very popular amongst other guests although we just stayed for a few beers.

Now there are three Druzi throughout the city.

Address: Andriivs’kyi descent, 2Д, Kiev

Whiskey Corner

Situated near Maidan Nezalezhnosti/Independence Square in the city centre it’s here you’re likely to impress even the toughest whiskey connoisseur.  

The current count is 764 different kinds of whiskey from all around the world.  Irish, Scottish, Japanese, American, Canadian, French. You name it, they’ve probably got it.

The Scottish theme runs through the entire establishment from the dark timber furniture, tartan clad waitstaff to the restaurant menu.

Main meals at the restaurant start at 250 UAH (£7.40) with a traditional British roast coming in at 463 UAH (£13.70).  Great venue for a special occassion or a treat for a Whisky

As you’d assume, Whiskey prices vary. 40ml of Jack Daniels No.7 is 68 UAH(£2) while 40ml of 20 year old Nikka Yoichi 1993 UAH (£59).

Address: Sofievskaya Ulitsa, 16/16, Kiev

Bimbo

Describing it as Coffee & More leaves Bimbo open to interpretation, however I can substantiate that Bimbo is the perfect blend of classy saloon and a coffee Mecca. 

Despite the low hanging lightshades proving hazardous to us tall-folk, in this popular local establishment should be on your to-visit list in Kiev.

Bimbo was recommended to us by Amy Butler from The Wayfarers Book and Megan Starr where we met up with Amy for a drink in a local haunt.

Offering an assortment of local and hard-to-find beers, Bimbo works well for casual catch ups and they appear to be dog-friendly which is never a bad thing.  

The Wi-Fi is reasonable and the tables don’t discourage from a lengthy sit-in. Don’t miss the benches under the front window, they’re prime for people-watching.

Address:  Volidynyro-Lybidska St 16, closest metro station is Palats Ukraina.

Cafes 

London

Think tasteful Cool Britannia style and you’re almost there with this London-themed cafe.  An iconic red telephone booth acts as a gateway from the street.  A reproduction of Bansky’s Queen as Ziggy Stardust dominates one wall, and kitschy British symbols like Churchill and English Bulldogs.

The menu is dominated by coffee, cakes and savoury pies and strangely, hardly any tea!  Some items more British than others.  You don’t go here for the service or the coffee but the outlook is quaint and a little piece of old Blighty.  

Address: Verkhnii Val St, 18, Kiev

Cafe Boutique

Roasting in-house, Cafe Boutique came highly recommended as serving coffee comparable to the coffee connoisseur destinations of Milan and Melbourne.  Typically offering a rotating selection of five types of coffee beans available at any given time, they discuss your tastes and make to measure.  

Our first hand experience was not exactly to this standard.  It seemed the store consultant and barista were more interested in one another than serving their clientele.  Whilst the coffee featured toasted nut flavours and a strong finish (which is always appreciated in a cup of coffee) there’s no cakes, slices or meze to keep you going. Cafe Boutique is serious about their coffee. We sipped our espressos on one of four small tables in the front of this cosy establishment.  

The large counter displays various types of coffee stored only in beans and roasted onsite and ground upon request. 

Coffee is notable, service is lacking.  

Address: 4 Khoryva Street, Kiev

Lviv Handmade Chocolate

Lyiv is the perfect meeting place for those with a sweet tooth, there’s an infinite array of options to satisfy most tastes.  Handmade Chocolate is the name of the game with plenty of shapes and styles to meet tastes. Delicious dark, milk or white petit fours in a multitude of flavours will tempt your taste buds, washed down with liquid hot chocolate or coffee.  Large seating space with plenty of cozy alcoves in which to while away the time on cold nights, you’ll surely leave feeling warm and sweetened.

Potential gifts & edible souvenirs are available for purchase.  It’s worth noting service is tolerable, although not friendly nor swift.  

Petit Fours between 7-9 UAH (£0.21-0.27). Hot drinks 33-43 UAH (£0.98-1.27)

Address: Andriivs’kyi descent, 2Б, Kiev

Кофейня “Espressoholic”

Just a stone’s throw from Kontraktova metro, the Podil Area is becoming flush with hip coffee haunts and trendy bars.  Espressoholic is one to add to your list.  

Logistically challenging at peak times, this shoebox sized cafe might be better as a hole in the wall. A random queueing system forms around the already extremely tight tables. Should staff need to exit their cubby hole it becomes people tetris.  

That being said, the coffee is good. Strong and warming with swift service.  Snacks in the form of croissants, various pies, cakes and slices available from the counter.  If claustrophobic, order take away or try the timber seats out the front.  

Espresso: 16 UAH (£0.47)

Address: Хорива 25/12 Kiev

Bimbo 

Yes Bimbo is listed twice. It’s both a drinking hole and a coffee Mecca, only discovered after we met fellow blogger Amy from Wayfarers Book for a drink in a local haunt.

Offering an assortment of local and hard-to-find beers, Bimbo works well for breakfast lunch or dinner.

Keep up to date with events and their ever changing beer menu via their Facebook page.  You may also need it for directions.

Address:  Volidynyro-Lybidska St 16, closest metro station is Palats Ukraina

Food

Львівські Пляцки / Pliacky Lviv

Ukrainians don’t really do brunch. Breakfast was often just coffee so by mid-morning we’d be looking for some sustenance.  We found this place near Kontraktova Ploscha metro although there was much pointing and guessing as English wasn’t widely spoken.

We soon discovered that Pliacky Lviv is a small chain of bakery cafes selling all things pie and pastry.  Enter for cheap snacks to eat in or grab to go will certainly fill the hole. Quite often not written in the Latin form, it’s predominantly found in Cyrillic as Львівські Пляцки, just to make it challenging.  

Offering both savoury and sweet options, spinach and ricotta, mushroom or my favourite was filo pie with chicken and veg inside.

Первак / Pervak

An completely underrated Ukrainian folk restaurant and one of the oldest in Kiev. Offers a range of Ukrainian dishes at very reasonable prices.  Grab a table upstairs in the large hall, or hide away in one of the smaller rooms decorated in Ukrainian style.  

The English menu and bilingual staff makes choices easy, however don’t pass on the complimentary homemade Xpehobyxa (Vodka with horseradish) which will take your breath away.  

Recommend the Chicken Kiev and the Pervak home made wheat double distillation Vodka. 

Kyivska Perepichka

The old saying When in Rome applies to this classic Ukrainian street food.  We tried Kiev Perepіchka, as it is perhaps one of the most famous street food options in Kiev.  Simply, it’s the concept of a hot-dog, a strange tasting sausage wrapped in dough then subsequently deep fried. Nutritional value can’t be high and the fat content surely will send most cardiologists into shiver.  

I joined the long queue at this local institution which appeared to move at lightning speed.  There seemed no system of ordering, just a women taking money in exchange for the sausage encased in fried dough. No time for pondering or dilly dallying.  The system runs like a well oiled machine, until an unknowing tourist asks for ketchup. Sigh.

At 10 UAH (£0.30) for a sausage I’m happy I tried it.  As I felt my arteries hardening, I can attest that one was definitely enough.  

Address: Bohdana Khmel’nyts’koho St, 3 Near Teatralna metro.

Spotykach

After being handed a discount coupon on a street corner I must confess I was a bit hesitant about this basement style eatery, just a stone’s throw from St Sophia’s Cathedral.  

Upon entering, we were transported to Soviet era 1960s decor we found ourselves pouring over the largely picture-based menu.  Large portions of tasty Soviet nostalgia were delivered to our table from the semi bilingual waiter.  

At one stage, I felt as though I was in an episode of Mad Men as suave suited men strolled past our table.  

Less english available here than at other restaurants however the combination of the picture menu and the enthusiasm of diners and staff it definitely make the list of places to eat in Kiev.

0.5L Ukrainian Beer 45 UAH (£1.33), 50ml Vodka shots 25 UAH (£0.74)

Main meals approx 120 UAH (£3.56)

Address: 16 Volodymyrska, Kiev | Website