Salo is considered to be a symbol of Ukrainian cuisine. It is eaten savory or sweet, with or without a side. You will not find any traditional restaurant in Kiev that does not serve the famous pork fat. But to get the right impression, it is important to know the best places to try it.
Tsarske Selo
Restaurant, European, Ukranian, $$$
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Tsarske Selo is the leading Ukrainian restaurant of national cuisine, open since 1998. In the restaurant you can try all the favorite dishes: from salo and borscht to holodets (pork aspic). They are prepared according to ancient recipes that are still closely held secrets. The uniform of the staff is in the traditional style, so you will feel like you are in a rural Ukrainian village.
In the restaurant O’Panas, conveniently located in the heart of the Ukraine’s capital, you will be able to enjoy the uniqueness of the Ukrainian feast. O’Panas welcomes visitors with dishes of Ukrainian and adapted European cuisines. The restaurant is located in a kolyba (Ukrainian rural house) with a thatched roof. The wooden house nearby is a takeaway place, where pancakes and vareniki (dumplings) are cooked.
Restaurant, Restaurant with Rooms, European, Ukranian, $$$
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Kureni offers a gastronomic selection on the theme of traditional Ukrainian cuisine and modern European trends. Here you can try salo in combination with homemade infusions. The venue is a historical monument, located in the park area of Kiev. It has more than 40 years of history.
Puzata Hata is a large chain of cafés. It is located almost in every district of Kiev, so it is extremely easy to find. The restaurant offers to satisfy your hunger with traditional Ukrainian dishes. It is a place where you can eat delicious food, relax, and spend less money than in other restaurants of Kiev. Moreover, you can get half portions there, in case you happen not to be a huge fan of salo or borscht.
A traditional restaurant will always greet you with a delicious and tasty Ukrainian meal. You will be served signature potatoes with shkvarki (deep-fried salo) or vareniki with meat or mushrooms. The bar at Hatynka has a large choice of alcohol, including branded infusions such as khrenovuha (made from horseradish). In the evenings, guests can listen to live Ukrainian folk songs.
Pervak is a restaurant in the centre with an original interior, the details of which are stunning. Eight halls on two levels are distinguished by a thoughtful design, while the menu combines Ukrainian, Jewish, and European culinary traditions. Among the signature dishes is borscht with salo and pampushki (fritters) and salad with tiger shrimp and salmon.
At Kanapa, you can order a variety of traditional Ukrainian dishes, prepared according to pre-revolutionary recipes, as well as taste the wine of national producers. The restaurant has two menus: one contains traditional dishes, while the other has modern interpretations of popular recipes, based on the latest molecular cuisine technologies.
