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KYIV
RESTAURANTS
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REVIEWS
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DA MARIO
52 Saksahanskoho Vul. 220-8062
Italian
 
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Once a star on the Italian food scene in Kyiv, it fell out of favor
with the cognoscenti. Now it is back again and according to the
Observer it has a "soft comfortable setting serving traditional
Italian food from lasagna to ravioli and other pasta specials."
Somewhat pricey but well worth it.
$$$
40/8
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DA VINCI
Khreshchatyk 5, 229-0059
  
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The best pizza in town - bar none. The decor is interesting and
the staff is most attentive. Very crowded in the evenings so reservations
are recommended. Popular place now with the VR and political crowd.
Expensive for most dishes but reasonable for the basic pizza fare.
Definitely should be on your list of places to go.
$$$$$
40/8 |
DA VINCI FISH CLUB
Volodymyrska 12, 490-3434

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Expensive, expensive, expensive. Too rich for my blood. Unfortunately
the food does not live up to the prices in quality or quantity.
No one of my ex-pat friends (except those with unlimited expense
accounts) has yet to recommend the place. Write me if I am wrong.
$$$$
200/6 |
DEJA VU
Bohdana Khmelnytskoho 30, 235-9802
American - Continental - Ukrainian

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A favorite hang-out of Ukrainian "Nouveau Riche" or "Kruty", this
wildly decorated (motorcycle, 1940's & 1950's, and racing themes)
establishment offers a variety of "hamburger" fare. Many westerners
living and working in the neighborhood also contribute to the success
of Deja vu, but they have yet to make an impact on the quality of
the food, service, or overall ambience. Live music on many nights
make this place interesting and pleasant to visit if you don't want
to spend your evening talking politics or world problems with your
date.
$$$
170/25 |
DESPERADOS (NR)
Artema 20, 216-3198
Mexican - Ukrainian - Italian
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A favorite with the uptown Artema crowds and some of the Embassies.
Mexican and South of the Border fare but also includes Italian and
Ukrainian/Russian. Specialties include cactus salad and nachos.
Good fajitas. According to The Kyiv Post's Food guy (review of 28
Nov 02), do not expect authentic Mexican dishes here. His comments
on the food ranged from: "perfectly edible" to "you might even call
some dishes good" to "…you might be in for a disappointment". Lively
and popular.
$$$
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DIVA CLUB
21 A Yaroslavska Vul (Next to Domus Hotel)
Italian
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This poorly decorated establishment (I think it is supposed to
be like a subway station) has some of the best inexpensive Italian
food in Podil. The owner is the former chef at the great Italian
restaurant that was located in the Domus hotel. He and his staff
are attentive to the client's needs and if you become a regular
- deep discounts are available which makes this even a better bargain.
$$
80/8 |
DIXIELAND
Vul. Kyrylo-Methodiyivska 14/2
French - Ukrainian
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Steep prices, out-of-the-way location, and over-rated (but still
good) food have stopped me from coming back to this interesting
restaurant. However, I still recommend it because of its music,
good food, and the lack of anything better in the neighborhood.
Good wine list (also high priced) and great Jazz (easy to listen
to and forget all the other problems).
$$$$
45/6
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DJUI LONG (Nine Dragons) (NR)
Shevchenko Boulevard 46B, 235-7350
Chinese
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Perhaps this is the Chinese restaurant that
I have been looking for in Kyiv. According to one of the guides it
has Chinese chefs, an authentic Chinese atmosphere, and good dishes.
However, with over 300 dishes to choose from - I tend to doubt this.
My all time favorite Chinese restaurant in NY only had 30 items on
the menu (several of which were desserts and teas). I usually found
that the smaller the menu - the better the food. However - trust the
guides and visit this establishment, then write me and tell me I was
wrong. |
DNIPROVSKYJ (NR)
Podil. Naberezhno-Khryshchativska 10A, 416-8112
Ukrainian.
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Uninspiring food on a barge restaurant.
$$$$$
36/4
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DOUBLE BASS (NR)
Konstiantynivska 34, 467-6057
Continental
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Close to the Al Capone and offering a variety of continental dishes
in a music-oriented atmosphere.
$$$
45/10
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DUBKY (Oaks) (NR)
Stetsenka 1, 440-5188
Ukrainian - Continental
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$$$
100/8
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DVA HUSYA (Two Geese) (NR)
Bohdana Khmelnytskoho 46, 221-1201
Ukrainian.
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Cafeteria style Ukrainian kitchen. Reasonably priced.
$$
50/6
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DYKANKA
Left Bank - Malyshka Vul 4a, 558-9653

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The wonderful setting, the great landscaping, the authentic Ukrainian
village buildings and decor, are all for naught. 2 full hours -
just to get an appetizer. (Drinks only took 1 hour). Service is
not only slow - but non-existent. As expected the appetizers came
cold (except the cold ones - which came luke-warm. Why do these
owners bother spending so much on decor and then fall down on service.
Long trip for absolutely no pleasure.
$$$$$
80
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DYUNA CAFE or DIUNA CAFE (NR)
Prospect Peremohy 40, 441-8931
Continental
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$$
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EDELWEISS
21 Sahaydachnoho, 416-0213 German
 
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Co-owned/managed by the Arizona Group and
Pulse, this is a great place for fulfilling that German food craving
with satisfying sausages, potato salads, soups, and - of course -
beer. Not cheap but definitely a must for German food lovers. Interesting
German/Bavarian decor makes you feel like you are in Munich. |
EL ASADOR
Podil, 29 Nizhny Val., 416-4402
Argentinean
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One of my favorite Podil restaurants. Great food (especially steaks),
excellent service and great prices. This is a hidden gem on the
Kyiv restaurant scene but one favored by the locals who know good
cuts of meat. The decor is interesting and done in a Pampas house
style. Nice place.
$$
70/10
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EGOIST
Moskovska Vul 44, 290-2222
French and Ukrainian.

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A favorite of the Connoisseur's Club in Kyiv, as well as of the
Modeling crowd and Ukrainian Nouveau Riche (Kruty) sets. Expensive,
but well worth it according to my friends and business acquaintances.
$$$$$
70/10
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EL TORITO (NR)
Volodymyrska-Lybydska 16, 269-6038
Mexican.
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$$$
40/8
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ERIC'S BIERSTUBE (NR)
Velyko Vasylkivska (Chervonoarmiyska) 20, 235-9472
German/American.
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One of Eric's originals and a favorite among the Ukrainian yuppies
(according to EE's Dining out in Kyiv). Sandwiches, basic German
and American fare, and some specials are the offerings. All good
but not great. If you are a yuppie, a wanna-be yuppie, or one that
just likes to hang out with yuppies, then this is the place for
you (if you can find a seat).
$$
120/10
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EUROPEAN (HOTEL PRESIDENT RESTAURANT)
President Hotel, Vul Hospitalna 12, 294-2634
Ukrainian - Slavic - Continental
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Nothing special. It was a good place to eat when there were very
few restaurants in Kyiv, but now you are better off finding your
own favorite in town.
$$$
162/4
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EXPRESS PIZZA
Vul. Fizkultury 1, 227-5550
Middle Eastern - Pizza

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This was one of my favorites when I used to swim at the nearby
Institut Fizkultury (no not Fizz Cult - Physical Education Institute).
I loved their vegetarian pizzas which I had with a side of Hummus.
Their garlic sauce was also interesting to put on the pizza as were
some of the fresh condiments from the salad bar. No alcohol. This
actually made me stop coming since I love a beer or a glass of red
wine with my pizza.
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40/8
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FASHION CAFE (NR)
Shevchenko Blvd 2, 235-8347
Continental
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On the site of the old Nika cafe. Interesting atmosphere.
$$
100/8
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FELLINI
Horodetskoho 5, (in the Ukraina Movie complex), 229-5462
Italian - French

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Great for people watching from the two terraces (upper and lower).
Modern decor in a rather long and narrow layout. Pricey food and
even pricier drinks which include a variety of fresh fruit juices.
The kitchen offers a variety of Italian dishes but you will also
find French ones such as French Onion soup (very good), frogs legs
provencale, and a tasty goose liver. If you are a movie-goer and
you have an hour to kill before the movie starts, try also their
appetizers and desserts. Then sit down and people watch before the
movie starts. Most interesting is to see the "Kruty" pull up in
their Mercedes' with a Landcruiser or Land Rover in front and in
back. The "security guards" get out - watch the street in all directions,
then the "kruty" step out. I have never seen a "famous Kruty" do
this, but I guess they get a "kaif" (satisfaction) from this. What
a show! Better than most movies!
$$$
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FIESTA (NR)
Antonovycha 115, 269-4029
Mexican
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Mexican cuisine mixed in with Latin music to provide you with a
spicy combination.
$$
100/6
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FORMULA CLUB (NR)
Velyka Kitseva 2, 474-2761
Italian
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Sports bar - restaurant.
$$$
50/4
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