Secret places are always the most inspiring and interesting. Sometimes one inconspicuous door can hide incredible mysteries and lead to an unexpected place where you can listen to medieval music, where local intellectuals discuss important cultural and social projects, where you can find modern Ukrainian cuisine and the first 100% Ukrainian bar. It’s all about Ukrainian restaurant Last Barricade (Ostannya Barricada).

In fact, long ago «Ostannya Barricada» was the first Ukrainian art-club, created by Oles Dony. Modern «Ostannya Barricada», created by famous restaurateur Dmitro Borisov, follows the same principles – it’s devoted to the development of Ukrainian culture and exploration of Ukrainian history. It is an art and gastronomic space and a museum dedicated to 3 Ukrainian revolutions – Revolution on the Granite, Orange Revolution and Euromaidan (Revolution of dignity).

It is not easy to get here, but watchful guest will find tips and the entrance. Just remember – Lyadsky gate is a point to start. At the entrance you will see a small coffee place and nothing more. Don’t make a mistake, don’t stop – it is only the beginning. If you give the word door will open and you get further: you’d overcome the “iron curtain” and finally get to the cozy rooms and see the walls with plenty of artifacts dedicated to key moments of the modern history of Ukraine.

A small stage is a place where poets and musical groups perform. It’s maybe one of the best places to listen to authentic Ukrainian music.

Of course, it’s a place to taste Ukrainian food. If you think that Ukrainian cuisine is all about varenyky (a kind of ravioli with different fillings) and borscht (red beetroot soup), you are mistaken. Of course, you can order here tasty borscht and varenyky (with duck, potatoes and goose liver, with stewed kid, with cherry and even with halva), but that’s not all. For example, you can taste Ukrainian oysters and Ukrainian Black caviar, fried veal brains and bull testicles (“mountain oysters”) with cranberries, steaks, Chicken Kiev, fish soup, Kyiv cake and more. Prices are very reasonable. For example, if you order Ukrainian oysters + potato salad with trout + Chicken Kiev + dumplings with cherries, you pay a little over $ 10.

Also pay attention to the huge collection of Ukrainian cheeses, meat specialties, and  8-10 kinds of bread, which is baked right here.

Ukrainian Bar is also worth your attention – you can taste Ukrainian liqueurs, whiskey or Ukrainian version of calvados and special cocktails made of Ukrainian alcoholic beverages.

Also there is a shop where you can buy Ukrainian pottery, vyshyvanka, books, Ukrainian ethnic jewelry and works by contemporary artists.

It’s a place full of emotions and symbols. Beinside highly recommends!

https://beinside.ua/2016/08/2015/