Ukraine: Eat, Drink, Man, Woman

Odessa has deep historical, cultural and culinary roots. Through the centuries the city has been known as a sanctuary for many famous Russian and international writers, actors, politicians and oligarchs to live work and play.

As such this resort town, known for sun, frolic and the most sumptuous palette beautiful women east of Paris, has also spawned numerous fine restaurants and nightspots which have become a mainstay of this world famous seaside habitat.

For the romantic traveler, Anastasia brings you a selection of choice and practical venues to aid you in your passionate pursuits. The city’s and beach’s caf?’s, bars, restaurants and night clubs are of European taste. The food here is very good, very fresh, and service is typically good.

Tips for Visitors
New to town? Anastasia wants to let you know about certain facts pertaining to Odessa restaurants. In most establishments dishes are served and priced a la carte. Even cream for your coffee and bread will appear as a separate charge on your bill. A service charge will also often appear on most guest checks. This can range anywhere from five to ten percent of your total. So take a look and leave an appropriate gratuity (10-15%) should it not already be included on your bill. Unlike specialized places in the West, Japanese fare, particularly sushi and sashimi, are served alongside the occidental selections in most better restaurants here. Don’t be put off by this. Try it. It’s usually excellent to very good.

Apart from this you will be pleasantly surprised that restaurants and other venues costs are subpar with what one experiences at home or other European cities. So feel free to explore the menus of Odessa’s fine eateries as they usually won’t make much of a dent in your pocketbook.


Fankoni
First and foremost you need to know about Fankoni. This popular nighttime restaurant/bar/disco/karaoke venue is open 24 hours a day for those times you wonder to yourself “Where do we go now that everything’s finished and we don’t want to go home?” 

A ground floor and underground (check out the paintings that adorn and set the mood) provide plenty of plush private seating for this eye catching hangout for the rich and not so rich, famous and not so much so. The drinks are all from the best bottles, the food is all fresh European and Mediterranean fare, diverse and excellently prepared. Sushi is surprisingly good, and not as pricy as, say, a comparable restaurant in L.A.. Fankoni is centrally located just off Deribasovskaya. Free Wifi and electric hookup in the corner by the window. Did I mention its open 24 hours for you late night pagan partiers?

Frankoni Restaurant-cafe
Quality European Cuisine
Address: Yekaterininskaya str 8 
Tel: 22-27-72

Voyage
A real find, this quiet restaurant is a throwback to more romantic times and is your best bet in Odessa for a sensual, sumptuous but practical date. The place simply feels right. Housed on the ground floor of the 4 Star Hotel Continental, both exterior and interior are quiet with an understated ambiance.

Serves a combination of traditional and new concept Italian. Everything we had from the menu was superb. Wine card includes the best samples of Europe and New World Wines (we found a great Barbera). The building, which is a monument of town-planning and architecture, was built in the middle of the XIX century. It was completely reconstructed in 2005. Traditional Odessa hospitality and a high-level of service.

5 Deribasovskaya Street
Odessa, Ukraine
tel: (8-048) 786-0393 
e-mail: voyage@utel.net.ua
 
Steakhouse
 Located right in the center of the center of Odessa (look for the psychedelic cow), Steakhouse is a well-known and well-liked establishment. Friendly, prompt, easy on the eye service with English menus and rather average prices for the high quality productions, it caters mostly to the expatriate and wealthy Ukrainian crowd. Steaks are very good.

Main dishes are creative and tasty and the breakfast menu and buffet with free “American coffee” are also excellent. The most unique trademark of Steakhouse is the wooden box you’ll find on your table containing four kinds of sugar, chocolate, and cardamom seeds, that accompanies all coffee orders. Get a table near the windows and enjoy free Wifi with an afternoon cocktail or coffee and people-watch on Odessa’s main thoroughfare. 

20 Deribasovskaya Street
Odessa, Ukraine
tel/fax: (8-0482) 348-782
hours: 09.00-24.00

Mozart
Located In the very heart of Odessa across from The Opera House is the elegant bar and restaurant Mozart housed in the four star hotel of the same name. Menu offers traditional Ukraine dishes and European cuisine plus various deserts and wines from ancient cellars. Vegetarian meals are available.

The perfect stop for a pre or post-concert dinner. Across the street one will find (appropriately enough) Caf? Scalieri, a fine wine and coffee establishment with its own bakery. A popular and perfect pair of venues for a romantic evening in the center.

13 Lanzheronovskaya Street
Odessa, Ukraine
tel: (8-0482) 376 – 900, 378 – 900, 379 – 394 
hours: 7.00 – 24.00

Panorama
Every hamlet worth it’s salt has a rooftop venue from which to view the merits of the city. Odessa’s manifests itself in a fine restaurant and scenic bar located on 19-th floor atop Hotel Odessa, end of the pier at the foot of the Potemkin steps.

Restaurant specializes in seafood delicacies, a wide choice of drinks and desserts. Fabulous view of the sea and city. Live music Friday and Saturday. Must go if simply for the view.

6 Primorskaya Street
Odessa, Ukraine
tel.: (8-048) 729 – 4808 
hours: 12.00 till last client