Kyiv, Ukraine

“Kyiv is a place of freedom and choice, where energy flows endlessly, and it’s nearly impossible to stay indifferent to the millions of events that bring the city to life. Here, you’ll find space for long peaceful walks and loud parties, historic neighborhoods and blooming parks, progressive youth and grandmothers selling pastries near the metro. In Kyiv, it’s easy to feel like a local, make new friends, and fall in love. Maybe that’s why expats from all over the world are flocking here—to socialize, do business, start families, or simply live. Our Kyiv guide will make you want to return again and again.

Kyiv: The Capital of Ukraine

Transportation

Kyiv has a convenient and affordable metro system that is becoming increasingly user-friendly. This is thanks to the collaboration between the metro and a group of volunteer designers called “Agents of Change,” who have been working hard to make the urban environment more understandable, accessible, and inclusive.

The familiar Uber operates in Kyiv and is cheaper than in Europe. Alternatives include the local service Uklon or the international Taxify.

Note that traffic jams in central Kyiv are common, and sometimes it’s genuinely faster to walk for 30-40 minutes—about the same time (if not longer) you’d spend in the backseat of a luxurious Daewoo Lanos.

To descend from Mykhailivska Square to Poshtova Square, you can take the funicular. It’s both a convenient mode of transport and an attraction, operating since 1905.

Accommodation: Hotels & Hostels

Kyiv offers an incredible variety of apartments and accommodations, from gilded VIP luxury suites in the late-Yanukovych style to €3 bunk beds with a grandma thrown in for good measure. Fortunately, there are plenty of reasonably priced and quality options in the center.

Our favorite neighborhood stretches from Lvivska Square to Sofiyivska Square, including streets like Yaroslaviv Val, Olesya Honchara, Velyka Zhytomyrska, Reytarska, and Sichovykh Striltsiv.

An alternative area is near Lev Tolstoy Square. Some people adore Podil, and we get why. We don’t recommend staying on the left bank of the Dnipro River—why bother when the city center has so many great and affordable options?

If Kyiv isn’t hosting the Champions League final or Eurovision at the time, decent apartments can cost as little as €30-40 per night or even less. Look for stays on Airbnb, as well as on doba.ua and olx.ua.

For hostels, here are a few reliable and time-tested options:

• Dream House Hostel (Andriyivsky Uzviz, 2). Known for its unbeatable location, consistently high service standards, and the popular Druzi Café right in the courtyard.
• An alternative is Zigzag Hostel (Antonovycha St, 3a) near Lev Tolstoy Square and the old reliable Magic Bus (Saksahanskoho St, 31).
• Among trusted chain hotels, Ibis (Shevchenko Blvd, 25) offers standard rooms for around €50 per night.
• For a more upscale stay, we recommend Bursa Hotel (Kostiantynivska St, 11), which opened in 2018. It’s now a hotspot in Kyiv, featuring the rooftop bar 1818, the café White Noise, and a contemporary art gallery.
• Another designer hotel in the center is 11 Mirrors (Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St, 34a).

Coffee & Cafés in Kyiv

Kyiv is a city with a rapidly growing coffee culture. You’ll find trendy white cafés with tattooed baristas as well as tiny to-go coffee stands near metro stations. Here are the best spots.

• Blur Coffee (Mechnykova St, 5). A stylish café serving excellent coffee and photogenic toasts all day. In warm weather, enjoy the simple and cozy terrace. Right next door is the fantastic wine and delicatessen shop Good Wine.
• Yellow Place (Mechnykova St, 9a). Good Wine also has its own café run by true coffee snobs. Just try asking for sugar in your espresso!
• Right Coffee Bar (Sichovykh Striltsiv St, 9v). Coffee, breakfasts, and cocktails just steps from Lvivska Square. Try the oatmeal with gorgonzola and pumpkin seeds.
• “No Doors” (Sichovykh Striltsiv St, 10). In summer, the owners literally remove the doors, so you can sit on the steps-benches and watch passersby. They also serve cocktails to-go—how can you not love them?
• “Portuguesa” (Sichovykh Striltsiv St, 11). A quick-stop for coffee and pastries near Lvivska Square. Wine and cocktails are also available.
• Espressoholic (Khoryva St, 25/12; Basseyna St, 5; Sahaidachnoho St, 29; Vadyma Hetmana St, 1a). One of Kyiv’s first specialty coffee spots, with the main location on Khoryva featuring a bench and summer seating. They roast their own beans and serve the best almond-filled croissants, baked right before your eyes.
• One Love Coffee (Velyka Vasylkivska St / Basseyna St, 1/3-2; Velyka Vasylkivska St, 100; Khreshchatyk St, 38 (TsUM); Khreshchatyk St, 1/2). Another pioneer of Kyiv’s coffee culture, now with five locations. We recommend the one opposite the cathedral (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 100) for great coffee with a view. Another branch is inside the Pinchuk Art Center.
• Come & Stay (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 23v). A small, laid-back café near Lev Tolstoy Square, popular with students from Shevchenko University. Great coffee and Mr. Pops ice cream.
• “Chashka” (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 1-3). A simple, quality coffee spot near Bessarabsky Market.
• Café Boutique. Two unassuming locations: Saksahanskoho St, 102 and Khoryva St, 4 (Podil). Coffee only—no food. The interiors are minimalistic, but don’t hesitate to step inside: they’ll teach you everything about coffee. These guys are among Kyiv’s top coffee suppliers, and you can buy a Chemex or coffee maker on-site. They rotate three bean varieties daily (plus one decaf), so you can learn to distinguish Rwandan from Guatemalan by taste.
• “Kharms” (Volodymyrska St, 45a). A bookstore-café where you can enjoy wine, daily soups (always different), and unique books on urbanism, philosophy, and art. A peaceful spot to work, with waiters who’ll discuss Zamyatin or Orwell with you. A very intellectual place.
• Svit Kavy (Ihorivska St, 12a). A great café with Lviv roots, located in Podil.
• Kachorovska Atelier (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 14). A café and showroom for shoes and bags by Ukrainian designers. Instagram influencers love it. Breakfast is served all day, along with a small menu of main dishes.
• Blue Cup (Pushkinska St, 5). A pleasant downtown café with excellent desserts and, of course, coffee in blue cups.
• 16.coffee (Kropyvnytskoho St, 16). Another standout among newer cafés.
• “Kashtan Coffee” (Reytarska St, 9b). Chairs from the Czech Republic, music and vibes from Berlin, and Kyiv’s trendsetters.
• Fantastic coffee is also served at “Turka” (Honchara St, 32a). Prices are slightly above average, but the selection, service, and atmosphere are worth it. They also have a second location at Shota Rustaveli St, 19.
• First Point (Yaroslavska St, 14/20). A freelancer-friendly workspace with excellent coffee, from “raf” to “espresso lungo.” Conveniently located near the “Zhovten” cinema.
• For something completely different, try Call me Cacao (Nyzhniy Val St, 32). Delicious cocoa, Ukrainian-patterned interiors, and custom-designed furniture. The friendly owners are often around. A slow-life haven where you’ll want to linger by the windowsill.

In Kyiv, you’ll never go hungry. In fact, it’s a paradise for foodies, with new exciting spots opening almost daily. To navigate this culinary diversity, follow the local blog Zherty, as well as The Village and “BJ” food sections. And, of course, study our guide.

Food

• Bessarabsky Market (Bessarabska Square, 2), located right in the center, has been trying to become Kyiv’s Boqueria for years but isn’t quite there yet. Still, inside the market, you’ll find several spots with tasty and affordable fast food. Our favorites: stylish “Vietnamese Hello”, vegetarian Green13, and the beer stall “Tsypa”.
• On the corner of the market building, the old reliable Linas offers the best price-quality-speed ratio in the center. Pro tip: there’s a basement with 10 extra seats if the upstairs is full. Another Linas is nearby at Shota Rustaveli St, 8. Both are open late.
• Fans of Middle Eastern food shouldn’t miss “Dash” inside the market—a Turkish halal restaurant. Try the pide, lahmacun, and other delights.
• A stone’s throw from Bessarabsky Market is Mimosa Brooklyn Pizza (Basseyna St, 1/2). No joke—this is one of our must-eat spots in Kyiv, serving the city’s best pizza. The menu has plenty more to explore. Grab a window seat if you can.

Since we’ve mentioned “Vietnamese,” here are two more spots with similar cuisine:

• Tin Tin (Lypynskoho St, 15). A near-perfect place near Kyiv’s velodrome. Cool interiors, trendy waiters, strong cocktails, and the best pho in town. The terrace is lovely in summer.
• “Bystronomy Chang” (Yaroslaviv Val St, 23). Another upscale take on Vietnamese cuisine. Delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere, though you might feel underdressed in a T-shirt.
• The “Vietnamese Hello” has a sibling—“Chinese Hello” (Ivana Franka St, 7). A café with larvae, century eggs, and Chinese beer. Trendy, tasty, and conceptual. Run by the charming Kyiv entrepreneurs Dasha and Misha Katsurina.
• “Ni Hao” (Pushkinska St, 19a). A Chinese hole-in-the-wall in a basement, practically in the city center. Surprisingly empty, given the excellent sweet-and-sour chicken, huge portions, and laughable prices.
• “Kitayka” (Zlatoústivska St, 16). An Asian-fusion spot with a massive menu. Sit at long shared tables or by the open kitchen to watch your dish being prepared.
• “Favorite Uncle” (Pankivska St, 20) and “ZhZL” (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 36) have maintained high standards for years—great food, witty menus, and packed tables. Both are owned by Kharkiv entrepreneur Dmytro Zaporozhets. His latest venture is “Italian Edition” (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 43), a take on Italian classics.
• Kyiv’s Sho (Mechnykova St, 18) is a new Ukrainian cuisine restaurant with meticulous attention to detail. Think turkey-and-rooster jelly or potato pancakes with pike caviar. Focused on local ingredients, though not cheap.
• Reimagining Ukrainian cuisine isn’t new—“Kanapa” (Andriyivsky Uzviz, 19a) has been doing it for years, highlighting regional traditions from Zakarpattia to Slobozhanshchyna. A must for those who think Ukrainian food is just borscht and varenyky.
• “Bily Nalyv” (Khreshchatyk St, 23a; Shevchenko Blvd, 36a) serves €1 oysters and hot dogs paired with fragrant cider. Now also in Lviv, Odesa, and Lutsk. Similar spots: “Kanapka Bar” (Andriyivsky Uzviz, 30a) with Ukrainian sparkling wine, Dogz & Burgerz, and Mushlya Bar (Khreshchatyk St, 25), all serving Black Sea oysters.
• More oysters at the newly opened Naprosecco (Sahaidachnoho St, 41), where sparkling wine flows from taps like beer. Also on offer: mussels, shrimp, langoustines, fries, and mini-burgers.
• “Chornomorka”. A six-location chain (plus one in Odesa) serving the freshest seafood, available for dine-in or takeaway. Their Podil spot (Yaroslavska St, 5/2) includes “Selyedochnaya”, a quickly popular herring bar open until 11 PM.
• “Altruist” (Antonovycha St, 1). Middle Eastern cuisine inspired by Tel Aviv’s food scene. Falafel, hummus, and more. Insider tip: ask for sparkling wine at breakfast—it’s not on the menu, but weekends start that way.
• HumHum (Mezhyhirska St, 13/34). A cozy Podil spot serving hummus in every form: rolls, appetizers, mains. Pair with beer or wine, and snap Instagram-worthy pics in the pink-lit interior.
• Noodle vs. Marketing (Khrestovyi Lane, 8/9). A tiny ramen joint in a Pechersk courtyard. As the name suggests, it’s about food, not decor. Crowded at lunchtime (surrounded by offices), but worth it for the Thai iced tea. Open 12:00-15:30 and 17:30-21:00.
• Podil East India Company (Mezhyhirska St, 9). A trendy Podil spot for food and drinks. Indo-fusion cuisine, craft cocktails, two floors, and a cozy vibe. Try the pâté—it’s amazing.
• “White Noise” (Kostiantynivska St, 11). A café-cocktail bar on the first floor of Bursa Hotel. Perfect for breakfast (and beyond).
• Bali Bowl Café (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 14). Healthy Bali-style bowls in a cozy downtown setting. Opens at 7:50 AM—ideal for breakfast. The coffee is excellent.
• Oran + Gutan (Symona Petliury St, 16/106; Sichovykh Striltsiv St, 72). Vegetarian Berlin-style cafés: white tiles, neon lights, plants everywhere. Try the “smoke + nori” roll.
• Savage Food (Nyzhnyoyurkivska St, 31). A rebooted vegetarian restaurant near the famed Closer club. Inventively tasty food and cocktails.
• “Musafir” (Saksahanskoho St, 57a; Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St, 3b). A café with wall carpets, a big oven, and the best chebureky in town. Crimean Tatar dishes (plov, yantyky) are incredibly delicious. Large portions, fair prices, and a welcoming vibe. Book ahead—it’s always packed.
• Under Wonder (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 21). Consistently high-quality European cuisine and wine near Lev Tolstoy Square.
• Très Branché (Lysenka St, 4), near Zoloti Vorota. French cuisine and good coffee. Sit outside for mussels in cream sauce and pino gris, reminiscing about Paris (but with better service).
• Urban Space 500 (Borysa Hrinchenka St, 9). A community project with a restaurant and event space, modeled after Ivano-Frankivsk’s Urban Space 100. Funded by 500 entrepreneurs and activists, 80% of profits go to urban initiatives. The food (by Druzi Café & Bar) is excellent.
• Georgian cuisine has been booming in Kyiv. “Shoti” (Mechnykova St, 9) is often ranked the city’s best restaurant. The service and refined interior defy the reasonable prices.
• Alternative: “Chichiko” (Yaroslaviv Val St, 23a). Modern Georgian cuisine, including a burger, plus a great wine selection.
• “Mama Manana” (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 44). Georgian hospitality as you imagine it. Budget-friendly, but hard to get a table at night. If full, try “Chachapuri” (Shevchenko Blvd, 36a).
• For a no-frills intro to Ukrainian cuisine, head to “Puzata Khata”—a cheap and hearty canteen chain.
• Zhytniy Market (Verkhniy Val St, 16). A large Podil market for fresh produce, local goods, and wildflowers. Chat with vendors and feel like a local. Inside, a supermarket sells exotic imports—Thai curry to rare spices.
• Kyiv Food Market. A much-hyped food hall (opening soon) by Odesa restaurateur Alex Cooper. Expect 25+ food stalls, a pop-up restaurant, and a culinary school in a historic Arsenalna-area building. Designed by Kyiv’s trendy architect Slava Balbek.

Kyiv’s nightlife is as diverse as the city itself. For a chill vibe, try a wine bar; for wilder times, hit Podil; for dressing up, head to Zoloti Vorota. And don’t hesitate to talk to strangers—Kyiv parties are where the most unexpected encounters happen.

Bars & Nightlife

• Squat 17b (Tereschenkivska St, 17b). A legendary Kyiv spot with a rich history. Open May-September as a café-bar-event space for endless conversations.
• The Cinematographers Party (Velyka Zhytomyrska St, 34). A new, instantly trendy “cinematic” venue. Passionate staff, great food, and cocktails named by color (try “Brown”).
• “Kosatka” (Velyka Zhytomyrska St, 25/2). Popular for years—breakfasts by day, expats with dogs on weekends, and Kyiv’s cool crowd at night.
• “BAR/13” (Reytarska St, 21/13). A no-frills, unpretentious bar. Relaxed, fun, and simple.
• “Zigzag” (Reytarska St, 13). A food-and-cocktail spot that feels like a film set at night: dim lights, candles, beautiful people.
• 1818 (Kostiantynivska St, 11). Kyiv’s trendiest 2018 opening—a rooftop bar at Bursa Hotel with epic Podil sunsets. Parties every Friday.
• HVLV (Verkhniy Val St, 18). Winter: strong Negronis. Summer: garage sales and parties in the courtyard. Don’t miss their karaoke nights.
• Grails (Mezhyhirska St, 22). A small, loud, cash-only dive bar where bartenders will chat about anything.
• Parovoz Speak Easy (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 19). A cult basement bar under the “Kyiv” cinema. So packed you might stumble into the city’s oldest surviving PC club.
• “BarmenDiktat” (Khreshchatyk St, 44b). Let the bartenders dictate your drink—they’ll nail it. Kyiv’s longest bar counter, plus live jam sessions.
• Loggerhead (Shevchenko Blvd, 1). Kyiv’s most famous (and priciest!) bar—hidden behind unmarked doors, with a lab-like cocktail experience. Ask for “something bitter that tastes like the sea.”
• Lost & Found (Volodymyrska St, 93). A bar with an extensive cocktail menu and bartenders who love hearing (and telling) stories.
• Like a Locals (Lev Tolstoy St, 5; Sichovykh Striltsiv St, 26). Small wine bars with great selections. Always crowded.
• Nevinniy Bar (Shota Rustaveli St, 15). Coffee by day, wine and snacks after 6 PM.
• “Vian” (Mykhailivska St, 21b). A wine bar with glasses from 60 UAH.
• Living Room (Spaska St, 6). A hangout for musicians and music fans. Spot the mural outside—sometimes there are impromptu street concerts.
• AM Bar (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 6). A hidden courtyard spot—café by morning, bar with rare spirits by night.

Kyiv’s craft beer scene is thriving. Here are a few spots:

• Varvar Bar (Saksahanskoho St, 108/16). The flagship bar of Varvar Brew, with a wide selection of regular and experimental brews. Above-average prices, snacks, and sports on TV.
• Taranka (Velyka Vasylkivska St, 63). Beers from the “Tsipa” brewery, plus expertly prepared fish snacks.
• Punkraft (Ihorivska St, 14). A stellar selection of Ukrainian and international craft beers. The staff will gladly guide you.

Kyiv’s museums and galleries are slowly modernizing, turning from dusty relics into vibrant attractions.

Museums, Exhibitions & Entertainment

• The National Art Museum of Ukraine (NAMU) (Hrushevskoho St, 6) recently got a rebrand by Ukraine’s top agency, Banda. Its vast collection spans 12th-century icons to 1930s modernism, plus events and workshops.
• “Mystetskyi Arsenal” (Lavrska St, 10-12). A museum complex in a 17th-century monastery/arsenal, hosting major contemporary art shows, music, theater, and literary events. In May, it’s home to the “Book Arsenal” festival.
• Pinchuk Art Centre (Basseyna St, 3-2). Kyiv’s premier contemporary art venue since 2006, showcasing global stars and Ukrainian artists. Hosts the annual Future Generation Art Prize.
• Kyiv Zoo. Loved by all, with 378 animal species. Crowded even on weekdays.
• Port Agency (Naberezhno-Khreshchatyska St, 10a). A creative hub with exhibitions, lectures, and parties. Also sells affordable art and books.
• The Naked Room (Reytarska St, 21). A new art space combining a gallery, bookstore, bar, and café. Opened by Berlin-transplant director Mark Wilkins.
• Kyiv’s techno scene has exploded in recent years. The top club is Closer (Nyzhnyoyurkivska St, 31), regularly ranked among the world’s best. Book tickets for major events early.
• For a younger, harder crowd, try Otel’ in the same building.

Kyiv’s club scene is no joke—read up on how Berlin’s nightlife boosts its economy. While Kyiv’s numbers aren’t public, rave tourism is real, especially for events like “Scheme”, the city’s premier rave held in unconventional locations (skate parks, film studios).

For personal growth, catch a concert by “Ukho” agency—experimental academic music in unique venues (tickets: 240-300 UAH). Kyiv’s live music scene is thriving—track events on Facebook, concert.ua, and karabas.com.

Shopping in Kyiv is an adventure. Choose from designer showrooms, flea markets, or legendary thrift stores.

Shopping

• Vsi Svoi & Vsi Svoi Home (Khreshchatyk St, 27). Kyiv’s biggest store for Ukrainian designers. Their second location (Khreshchatyk St, 34) focuses on home goods. Leaving empty-handed is impossible.
• Hvoya Store (Velyka Zhytomyrska St, 30A). Handmade shoes, bags, and accessories on one of Kyiv’s prettiest streets.
• Kapkan Shop (Reytarska St, 9). A multi-brand skatewear store.
• Shift (Saksahanskoho St, 18). Streetwear with sneakers from Vans, Stussy, Saucony, etc.
• Lisova Secondhand. A cult thrift spot near Lisova metro, where sharp-eyed shoppers can score Balenciaga or vintage Louis Vuitton.
• Kurazh Bazar at VDNH. A fun charity flea market with clothes, vinyl, books, and a “Star Alley” where local celebs sell their stuff. Runs biweekly in warm seasons.
• Kyivness (Reytarska St, 8b). The city’s most stylish vintage market, held several times a year.

6 Things to Do in Kyiv

1. Count the domes of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
2. Learn why St. Michael’s Cathedral is called “Golden-Domed.”
3. Try every type of varenyky and discover the best recipe.
4. Admire Kyiv from a river cruise boat.
5. Spot 177 shades in the mosaics of St. Sophia Cathedral.
6. Take a photo inside the 30-meter mosaic cat and toss a coin into the hugging-zebras fountain on Peizazhna Alley.

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