The Best Places to Try Ukraine's Galician Cuisine

Kiflyk is a small oasis of western cuisine in Kiev. Even the most fastidious foodies will be surprised by the delicacies. Each dish has a separate story or reflects an event. For example, kiflyk (a handmade puff pastry cookie) topped with powdered sugar is usually served complimentarily. In addition, here you can try the best variation of the traditional Ukrainian dish banush (corn grits with pork fat and cheese).

Located on Andrew’s Descent, one of Kiev’s most famous streets, Kanapa perfectly reflects the area’s historical and creative significance. On the menu, you will find modern interpretations of Ukrainian and Galician food. There is the beloved banush (corn grits) with bryndza (sheep milk cheese) and cracklings, syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes) with berry jam, as well as mushroom soup, which is deeply loved by the Transcarpathian residents.

To discover the authentic atmosphere of Western Ukraine and enjoy Galician cuisine, you should stop by Trapezna Idey. The restaurant is located in the building of Lviv’s legendary attraction, the Bernardine Church and Monastery. It is a perfect place for lunch or dinner because of its cosy, traditional tavern interior. Interestingly, the menu is written in one of the Ukrainian dialects – to decode the quirky words, you will have to use a dictionary or read the English version below.

Kryivka is the most extraordinary venue in Western Ukraine. Being located in a basement, it is modelled after a shelter of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army fighters. However, it is also a perfect spot for local dishes, particularly machanka (cottage cheese with greens) and buryachky (beetroot and horseradish salad). Along with food, you can try traditional homemade drinks such as horilka (water and purified alcohol) and alcoholic infusions of berries, honey and spices.

Lviv Galician Cheese Cake and Strudel Bakery, or Lvivski Plyatski, is the first place in Ukraine that specializes in two Galician specialities: syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes) and strudel. The choice is immense: there are savoury plyatski (the Galician word for homemade cakes) with vegetables, meat and smetana (sour cream) or cherry, apple, or poppy ones. Even so, the highlight here is that you can create a dish depending on your taste preferences. It’s no wonder that this bakery has become so popular all over the country, especially in big cities like Kiev, Kharkov, Dnipro and Odessa.

Everyone knows that Lviv is a city of diverse food options. There are restaurants with European, Japanese, Chinese and American cuisine, as well as many places with Galician food. Trout, Bread and Wine (Pstruh, Khlib Ta Vyno in Ukrainian) boasts the best baked Carpathian trout. The variations of modest river fish are endless; you can even ask for a dish that is not included in the menu. In addition, you can join in local traditions and play a sumra – a kind of Carpathian trumpet.

Lviv Coffee Mining Manufacture is a touristic destination in Lviv. According to legend, it is the mine where the local coffee is extracted. So, in the coffee shop, you can try classic variations of the drink, as well as signature beverages with caramelized crust or alcohol. In terms of Galician food, Lviv Coffee Mining Manufacture should be visited for its cherry strudel with vanilla sauce – you won’t regret the choice.