The Rise of Ukrainian Cuisine in European Cities: Where to Eat and Who’s Cooking
Ukrainian cuisine in European cities shows up most clearly in spots run by cooks who left Ukraine in the last few years. You find straightforward versions of borscht, varenyky, and salo plates rather than heavy reinterpretations.
Head first to cities with steady Ukrainian arrivals. Berlin, London, and Amsterdam each have a handful of new kitchens that opened between 2022 and 2024.
Where to Eat Right Now
| City | Kitchen | Signature plate |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Small cafe in Kreuzberg run by a cook from Dnipro | Borscht with smoked prunes and fresh dill |
| London | Pop-up turned restaurant near Seven Sisters | Varenyky filled with potato and bryndza, served with crisp onions |
| Amsterdam | Family spot in De Pijp started by two sisters from Lviv | Chicken Kyiv with buckwheat and pickled cucumber |
- Check opening hours on Instagram before you go. Many of these kitchens still run limited seatings and close early on Mondays.
- Order the daily soup first. It changes with what the cooks can source and gives the clearest sense of their approach.
- If you want to cook at home afterward, ask for the varenyky dough ratio they use. Most will share it without hesitation.
In each city the same pattern holds: one or two cooks from central Ukraine handle the stove while a small front-of-house team manages the room. The food stays direct and portion sizes stay generous.
The Rise of Ukrainian Cuisine in European Cities: Where to Eat and Who’s Cooking