3 Best Restaurants in Ukraine

Tucked away down a steep set of stairs, this quirky, vintage-style restaurant is as popular for its food as it is for its convivial, eclectic atmosphere. It was inspired by a notebook belonging to an unknown author by the name of Mishi Blyahera, which was full of recipes, many of which feature on the frequently changing menu. Expect a wide selection of salads, meat dishes, and sweet treats (think Belgian waffles with strawberries). The interiors of this cozy basement restaurant have the feeling of a vintage furniture shop, with mismatched chests of drawers, bookshelves stuffed with old tomes, and low-hung lamps.

Part candy store, part cozy café, O'Cacao! is a casual, family-friendly place with a huge menu of sweet and savory dishes, cocktails, and Italian coffee. Although it’s the desserts that draw most visitors, there's also plenty on offer for travelers who want to sit down for a proper meal. Homemade noodles, casseroles, and other Ukrainian comfort foods dominate the menu here, and if you come early enough in the day you can sample one of the many breakfast dishes on offer, from meat-filled crepes to omelets made to order.

One of the trendier places to eat out in Kremenchug, Milk is a relaxed café that offers a large menu of pizzas, pastas, and meat and seafood dishes, along with espresso drinks and a wide range of beautifully presented desserts. Daytimes are popular with people working nearby, who come to take advantage of the 30 Hryvnia set lunches, while evenings—which often feature DJ sets—tend to draw in lingering crowds. Interiors are bright, with exposed-brick walls painted in bright hues and low-hanging ceiling lamps. There's also a covered terrace area for warm-weather dining.