Just a few years ago, Lesia Ukrainka Street was completely unremarkable. Today, this street boasts an extraordinary concentration of oriental cuisine establishments, both Middle and Far East. This is probably no accident. After all, at least from the end of the XVIII century, the street was called Nyzhnia Virmenska (Lower Armenian) until 1871. In our century, here you can find Armenian, Pan-Asian, Korean, Georgian, Jewish and Crimean Tatar national cuisines!
Oriental cuisine cafés and restaurants in Lviv on Lesya Ukrainka street
Para Janov and Port Wine
The street used to be called Armenian Street, so if you turn onto modern Lesia Ukrainka either from Armenian Courtyard or Krakivska Street, you will still notice this place. It was opened by the famous Lviv restaurateur Vardkes Arzumanyan, who restored and transformed the former residence of the Armenian archbishops. The name of the restaurant is a play on words, as it is a great place for two “jans” (Armenian for “dear, sweet”) to meet and discuss the art of the Armenian-Ukrainian genius Sergei Parajanov over a glass of port. Only here you can taste real zhengyalov hats, which means “bread with herbs” and is made from at least 10 varieties of plants. In addition, the menu includes Middle Eastern dishes, Armenian shawarma brtuch and unrivaled breakfasts. And the elegant interior and cozy mini-yard would definitely have appealed to its patron, Sergiy Iosipovych Parajanov.
Moyogi
Right across the street is the building of the former Torosevych Bursa, a boarding school for Armenian orphan boys from all over Galicia. Now it is a real Asian exotic place. Rolls, tom yum, ramen, udon, poke, and of course sake. Moyogi combines Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Hawaiian cuisines in their classic variations. The restaurant also works for delivery.
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Kim Kimchi Korean BBQ
A unique restaurant in the original Korean style has recently opened its doors in house number 14. Kim Kimchi BBQ offers you not only to taste Korean cuisine, but also to feel the modern and ancient history of this country. The interior is made in a modern style popular in South Korea, the music is K-pop (Korean pop). The highlight of the restaurant is its barbecue tables, where everyone can grill meat to their liking, wrap it in lettuce leaves with rice and banchan, and then wash it down with Korean beer, low-alcohol soju or traditional macchioli. Immersion in the atmosphere of South Korea is guaranteed!
Especially for the opening of the restaurant in Lviv, the team went to South Korea to choose new equipment. The brand chef of the restaurant, Kisung Park, is an ethnic Korean. The first Kim Kimchi opened its doors in 2020 in Kyiv, and in Lviv in July 2023. The restaurant developed the legend of the Kim character to show affiliation with Korea, its tastes, recipes, laws, and life through a personal brand. You can get acquainted with his story in the restaurant itself thanks to the comics you will find on the tables!
Lehaim
From the Far East we return to the Middle East. Or even to Lviv itself, since the Jewish community has long lived outside the city walls that used to run along Lesia Ukrainka Street. The largest number of Ukrainian Jews traditionally lived in Odesa. These Lviv and Odesa stories are intertwined in Lehaim, a Jewish cafe-bar by the famous Odesa restaurateur Alex Cooper. Translated from Hebrew, “le-chaim” means “to life” - a traditional Jewish toast like “cheers!”. And it's no coincidence, as the restaurant specializes in fine alcoholic beverages and snacks. Forshmak, meze, caviar pancakes, and specialty borscht are on the menu, perfectly suited to the fine wines and cocktails on offer. Israeli musical motifs create a unique Odesa-Jewish atmosphere.
Chiberechna by Seliam
In ancient times, Krakivska Street, neighboring Lesia Ukrainka Street, was called Tatar Street. And the residents of Nyzhnia and Verkhnia Virmenska streets were often descendants of immigrants from Crimea. Today, Crimea and its culture are an inseparable part of Ukraine's culture. A part of this culture is represented in our city, on its easternmost street. Chiberechna by Selyam is also a project by Alex Cooper, and the menu includes exclusively Crimean Tatar dishes, though adapted. The interior, and especially the ceiling, is made of dry vines, which refers to the Crimean peninsula. The menu includes both very large dishes and dishes for children. Unique drinks include Tatar khoshaf compote, Crimean tea, and, of course, coffee in a cezve.
Stumari
The last stop on our eastern journey is welcoming Georgia. Stumari is certainly hospitable, because in Georgian this word means “guests”, who are always warmly welcomed and deliciously fed here. The restaurant is quite large and has a hall on the 1st floor, where you can perfectly wait out the heat of the East. The interior and musical accompaniment create the atmosphere of Georgia, and the classic Georgian cuisine is so good that it does not even require any innovations. The perfect end to your little trip to the East!
