Best in Kyiv

Where is the capitals best meal for under $5?

(Post file photo)
Eaters cram into Domashnya Kucknya for some modern stolovaya dining.

  The responses to this week's Readers Poll were a little disappointing. Despite the plethora of inexpensive places to chow, it appears our readers are some-what jaded when it comes to venturing out into Kyiv's lower-profile cheap eateries, such as Pervak, Lola Pizza and Yaroslava.

    With 31 percent of the votes, it was a decisive victory for Domashnya Kukhnya. Located at 16/22B Khmelnytskoho, this airy cafeteria is a far cry from the standard cockroach-ridden stolovayas that serve endless supplies of mystery meats. At Domashnya Kukhnya, the service is quick and the food is always piping hot.

    As one reader pointed out, "Domashnya Kukhnya offers a great variety of meals of substantial portions." And what the eating area lacks in atmosphere, is made up for by the abundance of good cheap food. Although it's always packed, this is one grub line that's worth waiting in.

    McDonald's came away with 20 percent of the votes. With more than 10 locations in Kyiv, it doesn't matter what side of town you're on, the golden arches are bound to be looming nearby.

    There was confusion as to who finished third. There were several votes for Chinese fast-food joints, which have been sprouting up like mushrooms over the past year. But few people were spe- cific about which one they preferred, That's because they are all about the same.

Next on the list was Mister Snack, an expansion-minded chain that surely hopes to place better when we repeat this question next year. - Dana Liss

Results
1. Domashnya Kukhnya
2. McDonald’s
3. Any chinese fast-food joint
4. Mister Snack
5. Celentano
(tie) Eric’s Bierstube

Also receiving votes: Cafe Butterfly, Chateau de Fleur, Rostik’s, Repriza, Frantsuzka Bulka, any hotdog vendor, my wife’s kitchen.