Expatriates Forums in Ukraine

FOOD & DINING IN UKRAINE / UKRAINE DINING GUIDE

Ukraine Info — Fri May 11, 2007 11:41 am

Author: Ukraine Info

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 11:41 am

FOOD & DINING IN UKRAINE

GENERAL

In the not so distant past, hungry tourists were limited to a handful of hotel restaurants with appalling service and tasteless food. Thanks to innovative entrepreneurs from Ukraine and the rest of the world, visitors can now choose from a vast range of options of local and international cuisine that rivals many Western European cities. New establishments with new themes open regularly as the quality of food, service, and décor improve as well. The prices at some new, trendy restaurants in the centre are rising accordingly, but an evening dining out at most places will still cost less than you would expect to pay for the same level of service and quality at home. Equally appetising moderately priced and budget options are widely available in all parts of the city. When the weather has warmed up sufficiently, many of the cafés and bars around the centre will set up outdoor seating. So whatever dining atmosphere you find yourself in, the word here is - smachnoho!

National specialties

• Borshch (beetroot soup).

• Varenniki (dough containing cheese, meat or fruit).

• Holubtsi (cabbage rolls).

• Chicken Kiev exists but is better known in the West.

National drinks

• Crimean wines are excellent, especially dessert wines such as Krasny Kamen (‘Red Stone’).

• Abrau and Miskhako are excellent brands of cabernet.

• Artyomov champagne (bottled in eastern Ukraine).

• Fortified wines from Massandra, particularly one named ‘Black Doctor’.

Tipping: Tips and, if appropriate, small gifts are appreciated. Service is sometimes included in first-class restaurants and hotel bills.

PLACES TO DINE IN KYIV

Concord
Pushkins’ka 42/4,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 234-7788/ 206-0156
Website: www.carteblanche.com.ua

Decadence House
Shota Rustaveli 16,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 206-4920

Fellini
Horodets’koho 5,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 279-5462

Khutorets
Naberezhno-Khreschatyts’ka,
Moorage 1,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 425-8039
Website: www.2k.com.ua

La Scala
B.Khmel’nyts’koho 53/53,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 581 70 70
Fax: +380 44 537 73 73
Email: info@opera-hotel.com.ua
Website: www.opera-hotel.com.ua

Lypskyi Osobnyak
Lyps’ka 15,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 254-0090
Fax: +380 44 253-9029
Email: info@kartamir.com.ua
Website: www.kartamir.com.ua

Marocana Fashion Café
Lesi Ukrainki Bul’v., 24,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 254-4999/ 206-0156
Website: www.carteblanche.com.ua

Osteria Pantagruel
Lysenka 1,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 278-8142
Website: www.pantagruel.com.ua

Vagon-Restaurant
Chervonoarmiys’ka 52,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 287-0490

Varenichnaya #1
Esplanadna 28,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 287-1539
Email: varen@ukr.net
Website: http://www.2k.com.ua/

NIGHTLIFE IN UKRAINE / UKRAINE NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Ukraine Info — Fri May 11, 2007 10:40 am

Author: Ukraine Info

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 10:40 am

NIGHTLIFE IN UKRAINE

GENERAL

The nightlife in Ukraine varies from place to place. Generally speaking, you will find more to see and do in the bigger cities than you will in small towns. Ukrainians are open-minded and enjoy trying new things. As a result, you will find a variety of discos, nightclubs, bars and restaurants which all sport their own unique flavour of entertainment. As with most places, it is usually best to try out as much of Ukraine’s nightlife as possible before deciding which nightspots are your favourite.

Kyiv has a very active nightlife and is one of the best places to go when looking for night time entertainment. Keep in mind that many nightspots open near or after midnight and that there are many more which are not mentioned here.

Opera is performed in the ornate theaters of Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa. Ukrainians have a deep-rooted musical tradition and singing is very popular. Most cities also have good musical comedy, puppet-theatre and troupes performing theatrical works in Ukrainian and Russian. Tickets are cheap by Western standards and readily available on the day of performance at the box offices. Prominent visiting artists most often perform in Kyiv’s vast Ukraine Theatre, where prices are higher.

If you are looking for entertainment at some other Ukraine destination, it may be best to strike up a conversation with one of the locals you meet during your day travels and ask for suggestions as to which spots are the most popular. Whatever the case, you can be sure that you’ll enjoy the many faces of nightlife in Ukraine.

PLACES TO UNWIND IN KYIV

Art Club 44
Khreschatyk 44,
Kyiv
Tel: 380 44 279-4137

Baraban
Prorizna 4A,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 279-2355

Bierstube
Chervonoarmiys’ka 20,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 235-9472

Docker Pub
Bohatyrs’ka 9,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 451-8528
Website: www.docker.com.ua

Golden Gate Irish Pub
Zolotovorits’ka 15,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 235-5188
Fax: +380 44 278-6583
Email: info@kartamir.com.ua
Website: www.kartamir.com.ua

Jazz Club
Druzhby Narodiv Bul’v. 3,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 528-3060

Joss
Raisy Okipnoi 2,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 516-8674

O'Brien’s
Mykhailivs’ka 17A,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 279-1584

The Wall
Bessarabs’ka Pl. 2,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 235-8045

Viola’s Bierstube
T.Shevchenka Bul’v. 1A,
Kyiv
Tel: +380 44 235-3751

SHOPPING IN UKRAINE / UKRAINE SHOPPING GUIDE

Ukraine Info — Fri May 11, 2007 10:30 am

Author: Ukraine Info

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 10:30 am

SHOPPING IN UKRAINE

General

Artwork is the best buy. Top-quality paintings, ceramics and jewellery may be purchased quite cheaply at galleries or direct from artists on the street. Avoid the state shops, which have dull merchandise.

Shopping hours

Large state or department stores tend to open Mon-Fri 0800-1900, whereas small boutiques are generally open 0900-1800.Some shops stay open as late as 2000. Smaller shops may close for an hour at lunch, usually from 1300-1400 or 1400-1500.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency

Hryvnya (UAH) = 100 kopiyok (singular: kopiyka). Notes are in denominations of UAH200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 kopiyok.

Currency exchange

Money should only be changed at currency booths on the street or in banks. It is advisable to keep receipts showing money changed. Changing money with black-market traders is not recommended and can be dangerous.

Credit & debit cards

Not readily accepted. Only a few restaurants and hotels will accept them. Travellers should be aware there is a high level of credit card fraud.

Traveller's cheques

Not generally advised. If taken, they should be made out in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is limited to UAH1000. The export of local currency is limited to UAH10,000. Amounts over UAH1000 require a customs form. The import of foreign currency is limited to US$10,000 and any amounts exceeding US$1000 require a special customs form. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$5000. Amounts over US$1000 must be declared on a customs form. Any higher amounts can be exported with special permission from the National Bank of Ukraine.