The best restaurants in Ukraine: a guide to top establishments and culinary experiences

For us Ukrainians, gastronomy has become part of our culture, so the restaurant business is developing faster than ever. The best Ukrainian restaurants are featured every year in the rankings of authoritative publications, take part in national restaurant awards, and receive recognitions from Google and TripAdvisor. All of them impress tourists with exquisite dishes, atmosphere, and a high level of hospitality.

In this article, we will review the best Ukrainian restaurants and eateries. We will look at the criteria by which establishments are considered the best, what influences the jury’s choices in restaurant awards, and how Ukraine’s gastronomic culture has become so recognizable.

National restaurant awards and the criteria used to determine the best restaurants in Ukraine

Every year, experts in the restaurant business, chefs, restaurateurs, and journalists select finalists and winners of the national restaurant award. The list of the best restaurants includes establishments from various major cities.

They take into account:

1. Level of service and hospitality
2. Professionalism of service staff
3. Originality of the restaurant’s menu
4. Gastronomic techniques and the chef’s mastery
5. Atmosphere, interior, and location — from city-center venues to restaurants in historic old towns
6. Availability of signature dishes, unique presentation, or menus with distinctive desserts
7. Guest reviews on Google and TripAdvisor

Winning, or even being nominated for, a restaurant award automatically places an establishment among the top venues and strengthens its reputation.

What makes a restaurant the best?

Top lists of the best restaurants in Ukraine always feature different concepts. It can be a modern restaurant with signature dishes, a cozy Galician cuisine venue, a Hutsul restaurant focusing on local products, or a refined Mediterranean restaurant.
However, the common factors are always the same:

* a unique idea that sets it apart from competitors
* professional work of the chef, which shapes the character of the menu
* unusual flavor combinations that define the restaurant’s identity
* delicious dishes — from classics to modern culinary masterpieces
* a cozy or atmospheric interior
* pleasant service, which is, of course, the foundation
* signature desserts, unique sauces, and special seasonal items — in short, the restaurant’s “highlight”

The best Ukrainian restaurants: what makes them unique

The secret of recognition of Ukrainian restaurants lies in the combination of local products, haute cuisine, and creative experimentation. Among the best restaurants in Ukraine, establishments most often stand out for working in the following areas.

1. Galician and Hutsul cuisine

Restaurants located in the historic parts of cities actively revive ancestral recipes. Guests can enjoy banosh, trout, herb-baked meat, mushroom cream soup, various cheeses, dishes made with local farm products, as well as unique wines, craft beer, or liqueurs. These places warm with authenticity and allow guests to feel as if they are among family.

2. Mediterranean and Italian cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine restaurants attract lovers of seafood, pasta, pizza, wine, and light desserts. The menu is based on fresh ingredients, and chefs are inspired by the traditions of coastal countries.

3. Signature cuisine

This is where culinary masterpieces are born: unconventional combinations, unique presentation, new textures, and dishes based on unusual ingredients. Most often, this category includes molecular cuisine restaurants. Signature restaurants set trends, which is why they are so attractive to modern diners.

4. Restaurants with classic Ukrainian cuisine

Borscht, varenyky, potato pancakes, and natural alcoholic infusions have always been and remain favorites among Ukrainians and tourists. Authenticity and hospitality are essential in such restaurants — and that is something we have in abundance.

5. Bars and gastro bars

In large cities, gastro bars are gaining popularity, offering a wide selection of drinks, signature snacks, and an atmosphere suitable for romantic dates or gatherings with friends.

The best restaurants of Ukraine according to experts and guests

100 Years Ago Forward (Kyiv)

One of the most famous restaurants of modern Ukrainian cuisine. The establishment has repeatedly become a finalist and winner of the national restaurant award “Sil.” Chef Yevhen Klopotenko reinterprets classic Ukrainian dishes in his kitchen, works with local products and seasonality. The chefs combine tradition with a modern approach. The restaurant is located in the city center and stands out with a refined and restrained interior that fully reflects its name.

Kanin (Kyiv)

A restaurant that has become a symbol of new Ukrainian gastronomy. The menu is based on wild ingredients, local products, and authentic recipes.
Restaurant experts often describe Kanin as an example of an establishment with a unique concept. Ukrainian cuisine here sounds modern and bold. High ratings on Google and TripAdvisor confirm guests’ love.

BAO (Kyiv)

One of the brightest representatives of Asian and modern non-traditional cuisine. BAO appears on lists of the best restaurants in Ukraine thanks to a strong chef, spectacular presentation, and a well-thought-out interior. People come here for a gastronomic experience, not just for dinner.

Bernardazzi (Odesa)

A fine dining restaurant located in a historic building. A stylish interior, classic gastronomic techniques, signature dishes, and a strong wine list make it one of the best restaurants in Odesa and Ukraine as a whole. It is often mentioned among finalists of restaurant awards.

Dizyngoff (Lviv)

One of Lviv’s top restaurants, distinguished by its signature cuisine and high level of service. It is often found in rankings of the best restaurants in Ukraine. This restaurant successfully combines modern gastronomic technologies with local products. Here you will find interesting flavor combinations in most dishes.

Baczewski Restaurant (Lviv)

A legendary Galician cuisine restaurant located in the historic old town. Authentic dishes, a menu with unique desserts, an antique interior, and a high level of hospitality have made it a true gastronomic symbol of Lviv. Baczewski consistently receives high ratings on TripAdvisor.

Shoti (Lviv)

A restaurant considered one of the best in the field of signature and Caucasian-Ukrainian cuisine. Exquisite dishes, modern presentation, a cozy atmosphere, and a strong team of chefs make this place a favorite among both gourmets and lovers of hearty meals.

Mon Cher (Dnipro)

A high-end restaurant focusing on French and European cuisine.
Mon Cher often appears on lists of the best restaurants in Ukraine due to consistently high quality, atmosphere, and service. It is an example of how the restaurant business develops beyond the capital.

Terrace (Kharkiv)

One of the most popular restaurants in Kharkiv, offering modern cuisine and strong service.
The establishment regularly receives high guest ratings and is included in regional top lists of Ukraine.

You can savor life even without a restaurant award

The best restaurants of Ukraine are not only lists of finalists or jury decisions. They are places where people simply enjoy being, where food becomes an emotion and the atmosphere becomes part of the experience.
If you want to experience the flavors offered by Ukrainian cuisine restaurants or modern signature venues, you can choose among the best establishments in the country.

And if today you just want to eat delicious food without pomp, queues, or table reservations, you can always order your favorite dishes from Pronto.
We cook to make it tasty, fast, and convenient — a restaurant mood without unnecessary complications.