Is there any better way to start the day than with a hot cup of tea or coffee and a hearty mix of sweet and savory food? Although the concept of ‘brunching’ isn’t too popular in Ukraine, there are plenty of places to choose from, thanks to the early opening hours of most restaurants and cafés. Find the perfect spot for an early morning feast with our guide to Kiev’s breakfast and brunch spots.
Despite the name, there is a lot more than milk here. This trendy bar is also a popular restaurant, serving high-quality American-style food; it is among the first establishments in Kiev to offer an early breakfast. The menu offers a mix of Ukrainian specialities like homemade syrniki and breakfast mainstays like granola, scrambled eggs, French toast or avocado on bread. Meanwhile, cake lovers just come there to have a red velvet dessert and coffee in the morning.
Known for its delicious cakes, The Cake also serves breakfast every day from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., for those customers who just have to get breakfast — even though it’s the middle of the night. On the menu, customers will find quintessential breakfast food from Ukraine, France and America, such as syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes), croissants and pancakes. The only downside is that it’s quite pricey by Ukrainian standards. But go ahead and try it; you will not regret it.
The concept of the Simple means down-to-earth and healthy. The walls are full of plants and the menu is abundant with fresh offerings. In fact, the menu changes every month, with new seasonal ingredients featured often. It’s a particularly good breakfast spot for locals since it offers food to go. Get a nourishing smoothie, porridge with superfoods or anything that will boost your energy for the whole day.
On the iconic Andrew’s Descent, Druzi is a hostel restaurant where visitors can enjoy a filling breakfast and meet people from all over the world. Breakfast is served by size, from XS (cereal with milk, buttered toast with cheese and tea) to L (eggs, toast and a choice of drinks). It’s not the most beautiful haunt in Kiev, but it’s perfect for budget travelers looking for a good meal in a location that has character.
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Yet another Ukrainian restaurant with an unconventional name (Lyubimyi Dyadya), Lovely Uncle‘s bright interior, delicious cuisine and friendly service has made it a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The pièce de resistance, as far as breakfast is concerned, is undoubtedly the poached eggs on pumpkin toast with grilled chicken — an ingenious Ukrainian twist on a brunch classic. To accompany it, there’s also spinach, tomatoes and various sauces. For a more traditional breakfast, Lovely Uncle offers syrniki and varenyky, as well as sandwiches and porridge.
Kiev’s best vegetarian restaurant is also renowned for its delicious breakfasts, perfect for vegetarians and vegans struggling to find good food in Kiev. It doesn’t just delight in veggies; Imbir’s options aren’t merely abougt substituting tasty meat-based food but developing dishes delicious in their own righ, which is what has made the restaurant popular with everyone. Have organic porridge, homemade yoghurt or ‘lazy’ vareniki, a typical Ukrainian breakfast food, and pair it with ginger tea or a healthy smoothie for a great morning.
Chashka is popular for coffee, but customers can also enjoy a light breakfast here. This espresso has a lot going for it, not least of all is the excellent coffee and a very central location. Add to that a lovely summer terrace and cosy sofas for when it’s cold to get the perfect setting for a lazy morning. Breakfast is served all day and consists of all the Ukrainian and American essentials – syrniki, pancakes, omelettes, granola, homemade yoghurt and much more. Moreover, once a week they hold lectures from Ukrainian influencers in the morning, so you can be productive and satisfied with your food at the same time.
Fancy getting up early to visit the city while it’s still quiet but don’t want to miss the breakfast? Head to Under Wonder, where breakfast is served from 6 a.m. This restaurant near Taras Shevchenko University opened in 2009 and has charmed locals with good French and Italian cuisine. There’s a range of breakfast options, from poached eggs and omelettes, but the best dish is probably the ‘Kiev breakfast’, a set menu including syrniki, American-style pancakes and pancakes with cottage cheese. Coffee or tea are included with breakfast.
Barbara Bar has established itself as one of the trendiest cafés and restaurants in the Ukrainian capital, thanks to its tasty breakfast and unconventional interior where every piece of furniture is on sale. Breakfast is available round the clock — perfect after a night out or for visitors who don’t want to feel rushed off their feet. There’s something to suit everyone; porridge with vanilla and berries for a light and healthy breakfast, pancakes for those with a sweet tooth and the ‘American breakfast’ (eggs, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs) for brunch aficionados, among many other choices.
A friendly and cosy place on the Left Bank of Kiev city, Soul has surprisingly good prices for its signature breakfast dishes (which are served during the whole day). Being kid-friendly, Soul Café is a family venue to spend the Sunday morning together or just meet up with close friends. It also has a very productive atmosphere, and it’s easy to imagine yourself sitting by the window and working on your laptop. It is a place with soul, where you’ll definitely like to come more than once.
