Lyubimyi Dyadya (Favourite Uncle)

Lyubimyi Dyadya, or Favourite Uncle, is a busy all-day restaurant at Pankivska Street 20 in central Kyiv, close to Khreshchatyk. It serves Middle Eastern and European plates, with breakfast on weekdays and brunch at weekends, and it is often full, so booking is advised. The menu mixes dishes from the eastern Mediterranean with European staples, which gives groups with different tastes plenty of choice. Hummus and falafel plates are the signature of the Middle Eastern side, served with bread and salads and suited to sharing. Grilled meats appear on the main menu, and the weekend brunch is the busiest and best-known service, drawing locals as well as visitors. The restaurant is useful for vegetarians because of the hummus, falafel and salad options. The dining room is lively and informal. Tables fill throughout the day, noise levels are moderate to high at brunch, and there is no dress code. The mood is that of a popular neighbourhood restaurant rather than a formal dining room, and groups and families are common. Mains cost roughly UAH 300-600 (USD 7-13), which keeps it in the mid-price band. Opening hours are not listed here, so visitors should confirm them before going. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend brunch, and booking a day or more ahead is sensible. Bookings are taken on +380 67 506 31 98, and the restaurant's online menu is at ulyublenyidyadya.choiceqr.com. The Pankivska Street address sits a short walk from Khreshchatyk and from the Teatralna and Zoloti Vorota metro stations, which makes it convenient for visitors based in the centre. It suits breakfast before a day of sightseeing, a relaxed brunch, or a casual dinner with friends.