Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Kharkiv, Ukraine
1. Kharcho (Харчо)
A traditional Ukrainian beef and rice dish in a unique walnut sauce, served with fried onions. Try it at Velykyi Kharchik (Великий Харчик), known for its authentic Kharkiv cuisine.
- Unique Ingredient: Walnut sauce sets it apart from other beef and rice dishes
- Authentic Experience: Velykyi Kharchik serves traditional dishes from the region
- Recommended Restaurant: Widely recognized as one of the best places to try Kharcho in Kharkiv
2. Deruny (Дерини)
Thin potato pancakes served with sour cream. Visit Deruni-na-Rynku (Дерини на Ринку) for fresh and delicious deruny.
- Fresh Ingredients: Deruni-na-Rynku uses the freshest potatoes available
- Traditional Recipe: Follows a traditional Kharkiv deruny recipe
- Convenient Location: Located in the central market square, easy to find and visit
3. Kharkiv Sausage (Харківська Ковбаса)
A unique local sausage made with pork and beef, often served in a bun. Try it at Kolpakova Khutora (Колопакова Хутора), a popular restaurant.
- Traditional Recipe: Follows an old family recipe dating back to the 19th century
- Authentic Atmosphere: Restaurant's design reflects the traditional Kharkiv style
- Popular Choice: Known for its delicious and authentic Kharkiv sausage
4. Salted Fish Soup (Солона риба)
A hearty soup made with carp and vegetables, often served in a bread bowl. Enjoy it at Kryva Riabka (Крива Рябка), a cozy restaurant.
- Traditional Recipe: Follows a centuries-old recipe from the region
- Cozy Atmosphere: A warm and inviting environment for a unique dining experience
- Social Setting: Perfect for social gatherings, as it is traditionally served in a large bowl to share
5. Golubtsi (Головці)
Stuffed cabbage leaves filled with rice and minced meat. Try them at Bari-Khata (Барі Хата), a restaurant known for its homestyle cooking.
- Homestyle Cooking: Cooked using traditional family recipes
- Authentic Taste: Uses locally sourced and high-quality ingredients
- Warm Service: Friendly and attentive service adds to the overall dining experience
6. Kartoflianka (Картоплянка)
Thin potato pancakes fried in duck fat and served with sour cream. Find them at Kryva Riabka (Крива Рябка), another popular restaurant.
- Unique Ingredient: Duck fat gives the pancakes a rich, savory flavor
- Consistent Quality: Known for their consistently delicious and crispy potato pancakes
- Versatile Option: Can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side, making it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike
7. Kotlet Schaschlik (Котельщик Шашлик)
A breaded meat skewer, often served with a garlic sauce. Try it at Dovgoy Tsvit (Довгий Цвіт), a restaurant offering a variety of Ukrainian dishes.
- Unique Preparation: The meat is breaded and served on a skewer, adding a unique texture
- Versatile Option: Available in various meats like chicken, beef, and pork
- Wide Selection of Dishes: Dovgoy Tsvit offers a variety of Ukrainian dishes to choose from
8. Kyiv (Київ)
A traditional pastry filled with poppy seeds and raisins. Try it at Hrushovka (Грушовка), a bakery known for its delicious pastries.
- Traditional Pastry: Follows an old Ukrainian pastry recipe
- Wide Selection of Pastries: Hrushovka offers a variety of traditional Ukrainian pastries
- Convenient Location: Located in the city center, making it easy to visit during your travels
9. Barabashka (Барабашка)
A traditional Ukrainian fruit pie made with apples or cherries. Try it at Hrushovka (Грушовка), the same bakery mentioned earlier.
- Traditional Pastry: Follows an old Ukrainian fruit pie recipe
- Wide Selection of Pastries: Hrushovka offers a variety of traditional Ukrainian pastries
- High Quality Ingredients: Uses locally sourced and fresh fruits for its pies
10. Solyanka (Солянка)
A hearty soup made with pickled cucumbers, mushrooms, and various meats. Try it at Kolpakova Khutora (Колопакова Хутора), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Pickled cucumbers give the soup a tangy flavor
- Consistent Quality: Known for its consistently delicious and hearty soups
- Authentic Atmosphere: Restaurant's design reflects the traditional Kharkiv style
11. Ryabanka (Рябанка)
A Ukrainian dish made with carp or eel, often served with boiled potatoes. Try it at Kryva Riabka (Крива Рябка), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Carp or eel provides a unique flavor and texture
- Consistent Quality: Known for its consistently delicious and hearty fish dishes
- Cozy Atmosphere: A warm and inviting environment for a unique dining experience
12. Shubo (Шубо)
A traditional Ukrainian dish made with pig's head and feet, often served with bread. Try it at Kolpakova Khutora (Колопакова Хутора), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Pig's head and feet create a unique flavor and texture
- Authentic Experience: Follows an old Ukrainian tradition of serving this dish during celebrations
- Recommended Restaurant: Known for its authentic and delicious Kharkiv dishes
13. Kozatskyi Shchi (Козацький Шчи)
A traditional Ukrainian cabbage soup with smoked meat. Try it at Bari-Khata (Барі Хата), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Smoked meat adds a rich and unique flavor to the soup
- Authentic Experience: Follows an old Ukrainian recipe from the Cossack era
- Homestyle Cooking: Cooked using traditional family recipes
14. Hrechka (Гречка)
A Ukrainian dish made with buckwheat groats and mushrooms. Try it at Dovgoy Tsvit (Довгий Цвіт), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Mushrooms add a unique flavor and texture to the dish
- Versatile Option: Can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side, making it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike
- Wide Selection of Dishes: Dovgoy Tsvit offers a variety of Ukrainian dishes to choose from
15. Konoplianka (Коньполянка)
A traditional Ukrainian dish made with sorrel leaves and potatoes. Try it at Bari-Khata (Барі Хата), the same restaurant mentioned earlier.
- Unique Ingredients: Sorrel leaves provide a tangy and unique flavor to the dish
- Authentic Experience: Follows an old Ukrainian recipe from the Cossack era
- Homestyle Cooking: Cooked using traditional family recipes