The word ‘brunch’ is seldom heard on the streets of Ukraine, but with restaurants generally offering a late or even all-day breakfast, it is actually becoming increasingly popular in practice. With an extremely fast pace of life in Odessa, to have brunch is the perfect way to relax before exploring majestic architecture, swimming in the Black Sea, or experiencing the city’s legendary nightlife.
Kompot’s breakfast menu invites clients to start the day with typically Ukrainian fare such as syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes), porridge with seasonal fruit or sweet and savoury blini (pancakes). However, those craving a continental breakfast will also find regular croissant and coffee option. Kompot has several locations in Odessa, ensuring that wherever in the city you may be, you’ll have a hearty meal; travellers will particularly appreciate the one in the historic city centre and the one near the beach in the Arcadia district.
Situated in a romantic garden, Jardin offers a shelter from the frenzied city centre, in accordance with its credo, ‘eat without haste’. The interior is cosy and inspiring, designed in Italian and French style. The restaurant arranges a seafood and oyster brunch every Sunday with fresh products coming straight from the restaurant’s tanks. If you would like to spend time in a pleasant atmosphere, Jardin is just what you need.
Located on the first floor of the 19th-century Frederic Koklen Boutique Hotel, this restaurant is one of the best in Odessa. Excellent breakfast and brunch offerings are available from early in the morning – 7.30 am. Options abound with cold and hot dishes, from omelettes and sausages to yoghurt with dried fruit and granola. Those interested in sampling the best of Ukrainian cuisine should try the syrniki and blini. All this is served with high-quality drinks, making Sophie Café one of the city’s top spots for a lavish weekend brunch.
Dacha restaurant is a little way from Odessa’s centre. And it is for a reason. As Ukrainians call dacha summer cottages with gardens. It features a cosy rural interior with a fireplace, simple wooden furniture and a beautiful garden, where guests can enjoy themselves. With an emphasis on authentic Ukrainian food, Dacha offers six set breakfast menus named after family relationships: ‘Mom and child’, for example, consists of dumplings with berries, mashed potatoes, and goat cheese yoghurt, while ‘Dad without Mom’ includes a shot of vodka.
This Italian restaurant is the official lounge platform of the Odessa International Film Festival. It serves a traditional late breakfast and brunch on the weekend. There is a good mix of sweet and savoury dishes, with choices ranging from pancakes with honey and cottage cheese (nalisniki) to poached eggs with guacamole. The summer terrace, in a sunny, Mediterranean-style courtyard, is the perfect setting for an indolent summer day.
Grand Prix is a popular spot for a classic French or English-style brunch. The set breakfast menu includes a full English breakfast, eggs Benedict and pastries. There are also some international and Ukrainian breakfast and brunch dishes like scrambled eggs, syrniki and homemade vareniki (filled dumplings) with sour cream.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the city of Odessa is also an outstanding brunch and breakfast spot. Tavernetta moves away from the usual brunch fare by offering thatvisitors start their day with a savoury panini and a cup of coffee or freshly pressed juice. For a traditional-style breakfast, try a delicious frittata with goat cheese or scrambled eggs with pancetta and tomatoes.
Cannoli is an Italian pastry café. The menu of the place includes drinks and delicious Italian desserts. There is no separate menu for breakfast, but since this is a pastry spot, most of the dishes are suitable for a morning meal. You can try various cakes, crispy wafer straws with mascarpone cheese, nuts in caramel, lush croissants along with fragrant coffee or tea. Furthermore, a takeaway option is available.
You can find the largest selection of morning dishes at Benedikt. Whenever you visit, you will be greeted with the phrase ‘good morning’, so if it’s already dark outside, do not be surprised. Israeli breakfast shakshuka and eggs Benedict are the signature dishes. The restaurant is open 24 hours, so you can get your favourite breakfast meal even in the early morning after partying all night.
The location of Santorini, on one of the most beautiful boulevards of Odessa, is perfect for having a morning walk after breakfast. Visitors and locals can enjoy a simple but hearty meal on the summer terrace with an incredible sea view. Try fresh Mediterranean dishes for an outstanding international breakfast, or just ask for syrniki with smetana (sour cream) for a Ukrainian one.
