French cuisine is renowned around the world – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization lists French gastronomy as an example of “intangible human culture.” UNESCO, based in Paris, would probably know.
But there are plenty of French restaurants in Kyiv where food lovers can get their hands on traditional French delicacies such as snails (les escargots), frogs’ legs (les cuisses de grenouille) and horse meat (la viande de cheval).
So with the French Spring festival in full swing in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post has made a list of some top French restaurants in the Ukrainian capital.
Paul
An outlet of the world-famous confectionary, Paul opened in Ukraine in 2014. Apart from croissants, tartes and meringue-based macarons, clients can have a full dinner with meat and fish dishes for around Hr 115 – 250. However, the main feature of Paul is still its delicious baked goods: the owners of the restaurant even imported special equipment to produce authentic French bread.
People pass by Paul confectionery at 26 Yaroslaviv Val St. in Kyiv. (Anastasia Vlasova)
The restaurant has an elegant interior with black-stained wood, similar to the chain’s cafes in other countries. However, unlike those in Europe, the Kyiv-based Paul is more of a restaurant than a family bakery with affordable prices. Because of its location near the city center, the place is popular among politicians and artists.
Paul. 26 Yaroslaviv Val St. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. +38044-281-2493
Tres Francais
Tres Francais, which translates as “very French,” is one of the most popular spots. Located in the heart of the city at 3 Kostelna St., the restaurant offers authentic French dishes from various regions of France.
One can start with a traditional sandwich, such as a croque-monsieur boiled ham and cheese sandwich for Hr 92, eat a bowl of Lyonese soup for Hr 102, and sample snails à la bourguignonne (made with a red-wine sauce) for Hr 175. The price of a bottle of white French wine starts at Hr 685.
Tres Francais is a family restaurant, with a special menu for children. Apart from the three rooms inside the restaurant, there is also an open-air terrace, which was set up on April 1. The restaurant often holds cooking master classes for both kids and adults, along with art exhibitions, live music concerts and many other activities.
Tres Francais. 3 Kostelna St. 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. +38044-279-7771
Très Branché
Très Branché is another French restaurant, which was opened by the owners of Tres Francais in 2014. Unlike the traditional Tres Francais, Très Branché is inspired by modern France, which means the restaurant has a loft-style interior with graffiti and street art. The café is tiny but popular, so make sure to reserve a table in advance.
The menu of Très Branché includes various classic French dishes and more than 20 types of wine starting at around Hr 500 for a bottle. Favorites here are frogs’ legs with herbs for Hr 350, or ratatouille – a stewed vegetable dish originating in Nice – for Hr 95. The café has a bar with various tipples and cocktails from around Hr 120.
Très Branché. 4 Mykoly Lysenka St. 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. +38044-278-6125
Citronelle
Citronelle, which is located in the heart of the city at 23 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St., specializes in traditional French favorites, with foie gras (duck’s liver) from Hr 98, baked Brie cheese for Hr 230, and bouillabaisse – a traditional Provençal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille – for (Hr 490).
The restaurant is located not far away from the city’s major theaters, such as Opera Theater, Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Theater and the Kyiv Academic Youth Theatre. Visitors to the restaurant who show their tickets for the theater on the day of the performance get a free glass of champagne.
Citronelle. 23 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St. Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. Sat – Sun 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Belmondo
Belmondo at 17 Hoholivska St. is named after a French film star of the 1960s, Jean-Paul Belmondo, who stared in “Breathless” and “That Man from Rio.” The restaurant has an elegant provincial-style design in beige, and traditional dishes originating in various regions of France. Moreover, lovers of French chanson will enjoy tapping their feet to the background music, which includes hits by Serge Ginsburg, Joe Dassin and Lara Fabian.
Top choices here include veal with fois-gras and baked vegetables, or Sibasa fish with couscous for Hr 295, and a platter of French cheese for Hr 250. To go with meals, there is a range of wines from Bordeaux, Alsace and Burgundy to suit the dishes.
Belmondo. 17 Hoholivska St. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. +38044-362-5886
PanTelaPase
PanTelaPase, at 2 Esplanadna St., offers dishes that are a fusion of modern Ukrainian and traditional French cuisine. The restaurant’s name is a popular Ukrainian macaronism – a phrase that in Ukrainian means “A master grazes a calf,” but to Ukrainian ears can pass for a French phrase.
Connoisseurs of French cuisine will be tempted by the Au Pistau soup for just Hr 69, and the cheese and mushroom soups with truffles, for Hr 79 and Hr 87. For the less adventurous, traditional Ukrainian borsch and salo (pork fat) are also available. Apart from French wine, the drinks menu includes wines from Italy, Spain, the United States, Australia, Chile and Argentina, for around Hr 500-700.
PanTelaPase. 2 Esplanadna St. 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. +38073-031-8731
