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Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Prague has become home to a growing wave of Ukrainian-run businesses—places where resilience meets creativity and where you can taste, wear, or experience a piece of modern Ukraine.
Spending money directly supports these businesses by sustaining their operations, paying employees (often fellow Ukrainians), and contributing to the local economy. While some of the establishments mentioned here are chains, others were founded by displaced entrepreneurs who rely on community support to rebuild their livelihoods.
From buttery Lviv-style croissants to bold Ukrainian fashion, supporting these businesses means embracing exciting new additions to Prague’s food, drink, and culture scene. Here’s where to start.
Ukrainian eats
Nai, a Ukrainian restaurant chain founded by chef Volodymyr Yaroslavsky, opened its second location in Prague, following success in Wrocław, Poland, in February 2024. The venue, located atop Sacré Coeur Park in Smíchov, offers a modern take on Ukrainian cuisine, with dishes like varenyky, red borscht, and deconstructed Kyiv cake.
The Boršč, run by Ukrainian couple Natalia Bas and Alex Martynov, opened in late 2021, offering traditional Ukrainian recipes in a small, takeaway-focused setting. The restaurant has gained a loyal following for its authentic dishes.
Among their top fans is actor Willem Dafoe, who made a pit stop at the restaurant, located in Prague’s Vinohrady, while filming the remake of Nosferatu. Try benderyky pancakes filled with juicy minced meat and onion and fried in egg batter.
Serving up hearty, comforting Ukrainian fare that seems plucked from the well-worn cookbooks of babusyas, Soloha Bistro recently opened a new branch in Prague 2. Step in for a bowl of borscht (with a dollop of sour cream, of course), a plate of pelmeně, chicken Kyiv, and mash or their traditional Buzhenina in a small but homey atmosphere.
Ukrainian-owned GastroOma offers a variety of traditional dishes like pelmeni, varenyky, and Georgian khinkali, all available frozen for home cooking. Multi Cook, another recent addition in Háje, specializes in frozen pelmeni and varenyky. Mlynářské pelmeně serves up authentic and affordable soups, dumplings, slaw and sweets.
Ukrainian Sips & Sweets
Lviv Croissants, a popular Ukrainian chain, opened its first Czech location in October 2024 at Prague’s Palladium mall. Founded in 2015, the chain is known for its oversized, sturdy croissants and signature sandwiches like the ‘Lvivskyi.’ The Prague menu offers sweet and savory options (try the Teriyaki Chicken or salmon) and customizable croissants.
After leaving Kharkiv, Ira and Marina wanted a sweet taste of home. Their mutual fondness for nuts, cookies, and creative desserts led them to open Cookies Corner. The duo offers nuts boiled in condensed milk in original or chocolate-dipped flavors.
Khromberry Cakes 'n' Desserts in Nové Město also has a wide variety of specialty cakes, chocolates, and pies.
Nalyvky Bar, located in Prague’s New Town, offers a unique taste of Lviv with its Ukrainian craft liqueurs. The bar features traditional flavors like cherry, prune, horseradish, and honey, expertly crafted into modern cocktails.
Thr bar serves as a tasting room for Nalyvky, a certified spirit maker from Lviv, which has expanded its franchise internationally in recent years. Pickle garnishes are made in-house, and coffee and non-alcoholic beverages libations appeal to teetotalers.
Ukrainian Shops and Services
In Prague’s Žižkov district, the Vusa Shevchenka bookstore offers a wide selection of Ukrainian and Belarusian literature, stocking everything from children’s books to non-fiction and contemporary novels. Titles by celebrated Ukrainian authors like Ivan Kotliarevsky, Oksana Zabuzhko, and Serhiy Zhadan sit alongside works by Belarusian writers in exile.
From war-torn Kharkiv to the heart of Prague, Ukrainian beauty entrepreneurs Sabina Musina and Lěra Borodina opened G.Bar in the Czech capital. The ultra-stylish beauty space offers signature blowouts, bold makeup, and trendsetting nail art. Meanwhile, the world of “Džý” continues to flourish, delivering expert braiding, flawless manicures, and stunning brows across 55 beauty bars in 13 countries.
ÓDYAH, Prague's first Ukrainian concept store, opened in November 2023 at the Slovanský dům shopping center. Founded by Ukrainians Halyna Huchkaniuk and Iryna Hrebeniuk, the boutique showcases 14 Ukrainian fashion brands and aims to introduce contemporary Ukrainian designs to Czech and international shoppers. The store offers a mix of original styles, highlighting high-quality craftsmanship and the creativity of Ukrainian designers.
How do you know if a business is Ukrainian-owned?
If you want to ensure you're supporting genuinely Ukrainian-run establishments, here are some key things to look out for:
1. Check the business registration and ownership. In the Czech Republic, you can look up a company’s ownership in the Business Register (Obchodní rejstřík) via justice.cz.
2. Research the founders and public statements. Many Ukrainian-owned businesses proudly share their story online, often highlighting their connection to Ukraine and their support for the community.
3. Look at supplier and brand associations. Some businesses sell both Ukrainian and Russian brands—if transparency is important to you, consider looking into where their goods come from.
4. Pay attention to political messaging (or the lack of it). Many Ukrainian businesses display Ukrainian symbols, participate in cultural events, or support humanitarian efforts.
5. Follow community recommendations. Ukrainian expat groups, forums, and Facebook pages often promote businesses with strong ties to Ukraine. Word-of-mouth from trusted networks can also be a reliable indicator.
