Coffee places in Kiev, Ukraine: the Best coffee houses

6 min readOct 11, 2017

Everybody knows that it was Turkey who gave Europe its first coffee. It happened when Turkish army was defeated near Vienna; running away, they left bags with unknown beans. However, history is famous with its tricks: those days, Ukrainian settlements of Kamyanets-Podilski and Khotyn were right on the border between the Slavic world and the Turks! Therefore in Ukraine these cities were the first to be influenced by foreign culture.

As early as in 14th century, the Turkish sultan Mahomet II tried to conquer these lands and impose his taxes, but his plans did not come true. In 1476, his 200-thousandth army undertook the most brutal of all attempts to capture Khotyn, but everything was in vain. The army was defeated and ran away, leaving a part of soldiers personal belongings and bags filled with incomprehensible grain near the walls of the fortress… What was that? Peas? The horses refused these strange grains, it was impossible to nibble them — they were very bitter. Than someone who was captured as prisoner by Turks, remembered that Turks fry these grains and cook a strange black drink. People tried it and liked it. Especially the drink became popular among the serf guards, who sometimes had to stand on their feet for the whole day. This is how the history of coffee in Ukraine began.

The first cup of coffee in Ukraine was drunk in 1476 and in Vienna (recognized coffee capital) — only in 1683! That is, 200 years later! The conclusion is as follows: the first cup of coffee in Europe was in Ukraine. We can be proud of our country and its coffee history.

Moreover, we can be proud of the fact that for 10 years from 2007 to 2017 coffee consumption in Ukraine grew by 23.6%, thus making Ukraine one of the most dynamic coffee countries in the world. Therefore, we invite you to get acquainted with the TOP-10 coffee places in Kiev.

ONE LOVE coffee

A favorite place of Kievans with its panoramic windows, pleasant interior, books about classical and modern art and even chess. It is always active and very interesting. The place has professional barista team.

Both coffee houses (on the last floor of Arena City and opposite the Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral) are in demand among the inhabitants of Kiev.

In addition to excellent coffee and desserts, the restaurant offers delicious meals and often holds entertainment and educational events.

In addition to espresso, cappuccino and latte, they serve coffee in alternative ways. Try chemex, air-press, pour-over, cold-brew, fretta, kalita, etc.

Address: 1/3–2Velyka Vasilkivska Street

London Coffee house

London is a cozy place with a beautiful design and a special English coziness.

In London, they serve classic espresso, cocoa, latte. They also offer alternatives: pour-over, chemex, fretta, air-press and siphon. The menu also has alcoholic beverages. As a supplement to your favorite drink, the place offers a variety of desserts. Foreigners, by the way, also like this this coffee house.

It should be added that all coffee drinks are brewed only from freshly roasted arabica grains.

Address: 18 Verhniy Val Street

Come and Stay

A small, very cozy and stylish coffee house opened by the former barista.

The owners have fully demonstrated their idea of what the place where everyone will feel comfortable and sincere should be like.

Here, you will always find travel magazines (which you can even buy), delicious desserts and coffee prepared in alternative way.

Address: 23B Velyka Vasilkivska Street

The Cup Espresso Bar

Classy parties, healthy menus, branded coffee drinks, good service — all this is the key to the love of visitors for several years.

In the Cup, you can enjoy only coffee, but also stay for breakfast or lunch. In the menu, there are sandwiches, salads, cream soups and desserts. Coffee menu offers drinks for every taste. Part of the drinks are coked using special American methods.

For freelancers, The Cup has large Apple monitor you can use for work.

Address: 1–3/2 Velyka Vasilkivska Street

First Point

Pleasant interior, delicious coffee and many different trivia associated with travel.

The place has very easy atmosphere, good service and excellent desserts. Here you can buy coffee beans and accessories for making your favorite drink.

Address: 14/20 Yaroslavska Street

Kartata Potata

In Kartata Potata, you will find very tasty coffee. Interesting fact: this restaurant is located in the building where in the Soviet times a deli was located. By the way, they have preserved the Soviet tile on the walls to keep the atmosphere as much as possible. The interior is light, it is spacious and cozy. There are only two halls there, one is divided into two tiers. And there is also a store where you can buy food home.

Address: 1–3/5 Pushkinska Street

Ego iskal Hemingway (Hemingway was looking for it)

Pleasant and tasty coffee shop with the beautiful waiters. When you are done with your coffee, you may buy a trip wherever you want. It is a travel bar and a travel agency in one bottle. There is excellent selection of coffee for every taste. In this coffee shop, they love and appreciate good coffee. In the near future, they plan to expand the coffee menu and offer rare coffee options, including Cuban ones. This is more like a community of enthusiastic travelers, where people make plans and if you suddenly take a passport with you, it is not necessary to go home — you can go to the airport straight from the cafe.

Address: 5/2a Moskovska Street

1900 Coffee Point

Here, they serve coffee with coconut oil and you can enjoy a hearty breakfast before a working day. It is interesting that they serve coffee in a pot-bellied glass cup, and t’s a pleasure to drink it. A creative place that deserves your attention.

Address: 112A Saksahanskoho Street

Val de Val

This is a place where you can taste almost all kinds of ice cream — fruit, cream, chocolate, lavender, mint and many more. You can try incredible coffee and feast on cranberry cake, pies and shortbread cookies. A pleasant place with not so many people, so you can relax from the bustling city.

Adress: 51 Bulvarno-Kudriavska Street

The Blue Cup Coffee Shop

The Interior of the Blue Cup Coffee Shop captures your attention from the first minutes. Bright blue dishes, cute moose prints on the wall, soft chairs and sofas. In addition to classic drinks, you should try lavender and basil cappuccino, and rooibos. With coffee, you will be offered sweet and hearty treats.