Ukraine is a country with a rich culinary heritage, and if you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat! Every region has its own spin on traditional dishes, and every corner of the country has places serving amazing food. Authentic flavors, fresh local ingredients, and a deep-rooted food culture make eating in Ukraine a delightful experience.
Whether you’re looking for hearty meals, street snacks, or regional specialties, you won’t be disappointed. Let’s jump right into some of the best local foods you need to try when visiting Ukraine and the top restaurants where you can find them.
Borscht
Borscht is perhaps the most famous dish in Ukrainian cuisine. It’s a beetroot-based soup that’s traditionally served with sour cream and sometimes a piece of rye bread on the side. It’s often cooked with meat (usually pork) or served as a vegetarian option with just vegetables and herbs.
Where to try it:
- Kryivka (Lviv) – An underground restaurant with amazing borscht served in traditional bowls.
- Katyusha (Kyiv) – An old-school restaurant specializing in Ukrainian classics, including a fantastic beetroot borscht.
Varenyky (Ukrainian Dumplings)
Varenyky are Ukrainian dumplings stuffed with a variety of fillings. You can get them filled with mashed potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, or cottage cheese (if you like savory), and if you have a sweet tooth, you can even grab them filled with cherries or blueberries. They’re often served with a drizzle of melted butter or sour cream.
Where to try it:
- Puzata Hata (multiple cities) – A popular chain serving affordable and tasty varenyky with both sweet and savory filling options.
- Kartata Potata (Kyiv) – A cozy eatery that focuses on traditional Ukrainian food and has delicious varenyky options.
Holubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Holubtsi are cabbage leaves stuffed with a meat and rice mixture, then rolled up and gently simmered in a tomato sauce. You can find slight variations of this dish across Eastern Europe, but in Ukraine it’s typically served with a rich, signature flavor thanks to the spices and sauce it’s cooked in.
Where to try it:
- Korchma Taras Bulba (Kyiv) – A well-known spot in Kyiv where you can try holubtsi and other traditional Ukrainian dishes. They also offer vegetarian versions!
- Salo (Lviv) – Though this place is famous for cured pork fat (salo), they have excellent cabbage rolls too.
Chicken Kyiv
Chicken Kyiv is a classic dish that originated from Ukraine, despite being popular internationally. It’s a breaded chicken fillet stuffed with garlic herb butter. When cooked properly, you’ll cut into the chicken, and the melted butter will ooze out, adding even more flavor to the already tender meat.
Where to try it:
- Kiev Restaurant (Kyiv) – One of the oldest restaurants in Kyiv known for making the best Chicken Kyiv in town.
- Druzi Gastro Bar (Kyiv) – A casual spot where you can get this traditional favorite alongside more modern dishes.
Salo
Sometimes referred to as “white gold,” salo is cured pork fat, often served thinly sliced with bread, pickles, onions, and sometimes garlic. It’s one of Ukraine’s oldest and most celebrated snacks. While it might sound unusual, it’s absolutely worth a try for anyone looking to experience authentic Ukrainian food.
Where to try it:
- Salo Museum (Lviv) – This quirky museum is dedicated to the beloved Ukrainian delicacy and offers creative ways to enjoy salo.
- Kafenhaus (Kyiv) – An authentic local restaurant where you can enjoy a classic platter of salo paired with rye bread and garlic.
Deruny (Potato Pancakes)
Deruny are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, fried to a crisp and golden brown. They’re sometimes stuffed with various ingredients like mushrooms or meat. Often topped with sour cream, they make for a delicious and filling meal.
Where to try it:
- Derun House (Uzhhorod) – A restaurant that specializes exclusively in all things deruny! You can have them plain or stuffed with your choice of fillings.
- Lviv Handmade Deruny (Lviv) – A small spot in Lviv renowned for serving up some of the crispiest and tastiest deruny in Ukraine.
Banosh
Banosh is a rich dish from the Carpathian Mountains and consists of creamy cornmeal cooked with sour cream and served with fried pork fat, mushrooms, or cheese. It’s a true taste of Ukraine’s mountain cuisine and should definitely be on your list if you’re traveling west to regions like Ivano-Frankivsk or Zakarpattia.
Where to try it:
- Kolyba Hut (Yaremche) – This Carpathian-style wooden restaurant serves excellent banosh made in the traditional way.
- Panska Hata (Bukovel) – Perfect for those skiing in the Carpathians; stop here and try their delicious banosh after a day on the slopes.
Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Bread)
You’ll almost always see pampushky served alongside borscht. These fluffy rolls are typically topped with a garlic oil glaze and are perfect for dipping into soups or eating on their own. For garlic lovers, pampushky are an absolute must-try.
Where to try it:
- Zarial Market Food Court (Kyiv) – The food court offers a great take on these garlicky bread rolls outside of a traditional restaurant setting.
- Baczewski (Lviv) – A charming spot in Lviv, perfect for lunch, where you can taste fresh pampushky with your meal.
Street Food in Ukraine
You don’t need to sit down in a fancy restaurant to enjoy Ukrainian food. The street food scene is vibrant, especially in bigger cities like Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. You’ll find vendors selling everything from meat skewers to pancakes filled with Nutella.
Best street foods to try:
- Chebureki – A deep-fried turnover filled with minced meat and onions or cheese. You can find them in most markets or street food stands in cities like Kyiv or Odesa.
- Khachapuri – While Georgian in origin, this cheesy bread is a street food staple across Ukraine.
- Shashlik (Grilled Meat Skewers) – Available at open-air markets, it’s hard to resist the smoky aroma of freshly grilled meat dripping with juicy goodness!
Top Local Restaurants in Ukraine
If you’re going to Ukraine, it’s worth making time to visit these local restaurants that deliver authentic Ukrainian flavors with unique atmospheres.
Best restaurants to visit:
- Baczewski (Lviv) – A stunning restaurant with a vintage vibe, famous for its breakfast buffet and classic Ukrainian dishes.
- Ostannya Barykada (Kyiv) – Hidden in Kyiv’s Independence Square, this underground restaurant combines food and culture, serving authentic borscht, varenyky, and more.
- Seven Piggies (Odesa) – A traditional Ukrainian restaurant known for hearty meals and family-style servings.
Traveling to Ukraine is as much about tasting local flavors as it is about seeing the sights. Don’t miss the chance to sample Ukraine’s unique and diverse culinary treasures on your next trip!
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