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Old Lviv

4.2 (158 reviews)
InexpensiveUkrainian
Closed • 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Old Lviv Photos

Business Info

OLD LVIV ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Old Lviv

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Menu 02/2025
Jazz S.

Haven't been for the buffet yet but picked up some varenyky and pelmeni the other day and it was so smooth! They helped me pick out different flavors based on what they had left and prices were reasonable. Ambiance seemed cute and homely on the inside. This seems like a great mom and pop establishment and I will be back!

Plates of goodies
Seth F.

What a wondrous and wonderful place. While it may be next to impossible for a Ukrainian restaurant to outdo New York's Streecha, Old Lviv certainly comes close. This cozy restaurant houses only a handful of tables, but the buffet and its selection certainly befit a grandiose establishment. Although I am generally hesitant of buffets, I was particularly intrigued by this one as less common genre in the country at large. And no disappointment was found in the experience. The buffet offered a wide assortment of dishes: meat in mushroom sauce, stuffed cabbages, filled mlyntsi, potatoes, vegetables, beef, various salads, fruits, and more. The buffet also includes soup, where I opted for the borshch. The meats were tender, the chickens juicy, the vegetables flavorful, and the horseradishes potent. There is truly nothing more one could ask for. There is also a full bar, although I did not explore its offerings. As for the cost, the weekday buffet at the time of my visit, July 2022, was $17. In my mind's eye, this is an exceptionally reasonable price for the variety, quality, and location. The service is very good as well. I will absolutely come back, and would recommend that you visit too. A note to the vegans of the world: this place is not for you.

a plate of food on a table
Kristina K.

Old Lviv is such a lovely place. It took me back home to Ukraine. The food is traditional and wonderful. Such a soul soothing and body warming selection. The service was great, and I was so happy to come here.

Exterior
Miriam W.

The food at this tiny storefront restaurant did not fail to please. We arrived for lunch and were offered beverages and some borscht. We took the waiter up on the offer of borscht, and were served a good sized bowl. Ukrainian borscht differs from its Russian counterpart, as it's often vegetarian and served hot. It's a simple, warming bowl of goodness. The buffet was still being filled while we ate our soup, so we waited a bit; a warning if you're planning on arriving just as they open. They had a few cold options on the salad bar, and I sampled most of them. The shredded beets were very good, and I also liked the cucumber salad, which had lots of dill. My favorite item from the cold side was their purée of beets and horseradish. I'm not sure what this condiment is intended to go with, but I ate it with everything and went back for more. The hot buffet is comfort food central, with stick-to-the-ribs choices like stuffed cabbage, pork stew and mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes. There were also two chicken dishes, a fish dish with vegetables and a beef liver stew. The stuffed cabbage here is different from the Polish and Hungarian varieties I'm familiar with. It was stuffed with ground pork and rice and served in a delicious creamy tomato sauce. I'm fact, much of the food on the buffet had dairy in it. A vegetarian couple came in as we were eating and interviewed the waiter on the options open to them on the buffet. They ended up staying, so, while Ukrainian food is typically very meat-centric, vegetarians (not vegans) can find enough to eat here. There are only 5 tables, so the space is small. They have a full bar and some Ukrainian wines that I'll try on a future visit. Yes, I'll most definitely be back.

Authentic Ukrainian lagers
Brandy L.

Absolute gem! The borscht was DEVINE ... the best borscht I have ever had. Savory and sweet with delicious potatoes and cabbage and the service was warm and attentive. The varynyky (or Ukrainian peroigies) were also delicious and were balanced with flavor and deliciousness. The decor is authentic Ukrainian cultural pieces that made the place so cozy and inviting. I highly recommend this place especially on a chilly day. Will go back every time I'm in the neighborhood. Please go and treat yourself!

buffet
Livia R.

buffet for $18 very yummy warm food clearly made earlier, so get there relatively early (we got there at 5:40p- they stop making food at 6p) borscht isnt very intensely beety (which was good for me- but to each their own)

Alexander B.

Came here for dinner and everything was delicious. Borsch was very good (I hope they can also add borsch with beans or borsch with meat to the menu), pelmeni (meat dumplings) were truly home made and tasted well. They also have a buffet with a few more meals and overall the food didn't cost much which was great. Usually, Russian food is overpriced in the U.S. based on other Russian restaurants I've been in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Indianapolis. Our server was friendly and attentive and food didn't take long to come out. Pretty simple and straightforward experience. I'd say the only wish is if they could expand their menu a little bit and add the items above and maybe draniki (potato pancakes). Everything else was perfect!

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Pay for the buffet. Better than ordering things individually. I would go again. Wish the borscht had meat in it.

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1 year ago

Very good family operated place with authentic Ukrainian food taste . Very recommend . They have buffet options or menu to choose

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Our first time trying Ukrainian food! Good service. Delicious food. Cute place. The borscht was tasty.

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1 year ago

I really enjoyed the cappuccino, the sweets, the potatoes, the cabbage roll, and the chicken!

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1 year ago

Super cozy and great way to try new dishes if you are unfamiliar with Ukrainian food!

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

Great authentic food! Super friendly people. Seating is a little tight but worth it. I especially loved the cabbage rolls!

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2 years ago

Delicious freshly cooked food. Buffet is fresh and has many choices. The young man who runs the front end is friendly and accommodating.

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Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen - Stuffed Cabbage w bison meat, wild rice mix, roasted red pepper sauce

Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen

4.4(370 reviews)
0.1 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town
•$$

For a unique dining experience in a beautifully decorated restaurant look no further than Tryzub…read moreUkrainian Kitchen. The staff is incredible and fun, the food is delicious, and the ambiance is quite pleasant. In terms of dishes, we tried the Carpathian wild mushroom soup with black truffle oil, cabbage rolls, crispy potato pancakes, and the colorful party platter, which comes with an assortment of pierogis. The party platter was my personal favorite. They have many tasty cocktails, infused spirits, and mocktails to choose from. The Glory to Ukraine shot is delicious and highly recommended. The restaurant has plenty of seating indoors and an outdoor patio that is perfect for enjoying nice weather.

Updated review! Came for our anniversary and had a delightfully delicious time!…read more I don't drink alcohol but I was supremely excited when I convinced our waiter, Dima, to serve us the wheel of fun with berry compote and uzvar -- which is a spiced dried fruit juice that tastes like a campfire. It's cold but intriguing. Though I might not order it a second time, I was glad to try it and a single serving is only $5 that they split into 4 shots. The wheel of fun honestly made my night! And the berry compote carafe is definitely worth $15. We had the party platter of varenyky and substituted the red beef ones for more potato ones. But next time I really want more orange pork varenyky! They're sweet and savory and I was reluctant to share the 4 on the plate! We also had barosh (polenta balls) and the potato pancakes (super circular!), which, much like my previous review, were a hit! The mushroom sauce that comes with both is just soooo good. I love mushrooms, know why? Cause I'm a FUN guy. Circular foods, circular drinks, all come full circle. And I will come again, the next special occasion I have. Quite a delight on a Friday night! And surprisingly they were not too busy and the twinkle lights and the Christmas tree outside really made it feel cozy and special.

Photos
Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen - Dining Room

Dining Room

Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen - Assorted pierogies

Assorted pierogies

Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen - Glory to Ukraine shot

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Glory to Ukraine shot

Velour - Ribeye Steak

Velour

4.1(34 reviews)
9.3 mi•O'Hare

Food is tasty and the presentation is above and beyond. The service is excellent and they are very…read moreinformative and will offer suggestions for first time customers. This spot feels like walking into a magazine, each corner feels like a photo op. I definitely recommend this spot for a fancy dining experience. It's hidden in this suburban strip but feels like a cute cafe in the city.

I think "Velour" is the best Ukrainian restaurant in the Chicagoland area nowadays! I discovered…read morethis place when I googled places with the live music for my daughter's big birthday and we decided to stop by for tasting dinner. Born in Ukraine, I can confirm the authenticity of the cuisine. We tried several appetizers and main dishes and every single dish was A+! Fish soup had a wonderful flavor, black cheese Varenyky proved the chef's skill to make an excellent house made pasta , traditional Ukrainian Banosh (a Ukrainian version of Polenta on cream served with feta and pork fried lard) was mouthwatering, Golubci (Stuffed Cabbage) that we ordered as appetizer melted in the mouth and had an absolutely perfect proportion of the meat and rice complimented by a masterfully created sauce. Our main dishes did not disappoint either. My husband's octopus was tender and well seasoned, Kyiv chicken was lightly breaded and was very tasty, beautifully plated duck leg confit was at the level of the best French restaurants , and the roasted rabbit leg in the mushroom sauce , so rarely seen on the other menus, was to die for. We were so full after the dinner that we ordered our desserts to go to enjoy at home. This gem with masterfully crafted cocktails, the unique ambiance and unparalleled service is truly the greatest representation of the exquisite Ukrainian cuisine. The adequate prices and personal attention to each customer makes this restaurant a Must Go! I highly recommend!

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Velour
Velour - Ribeye Steak

Ribeye Steak

Velour

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Shokolad - Mushroom and fennel Ukrainian pierogi

Shokolad

4.5(323 reviews)
0.4 mi•West Town, Humboldt Park
•$$

I love Shokolad so much and it is my #1 underrated restaurant in Chicago for a quaint breakfast and…read morelunch. I've been coming here for the past five years and it absolutely never disappoints. I've had everything from the Ukrainian scrambled eggs, ham and gruyere crepes and the Athena omelette (add chicken!) to the pierogis, paninis, hutsulske pechenya (beef stew--OMG it's so good and only available Saturdays) to the delectable assortment of cookies in the pastry case. The carrot salad the comes with a lot of the dishes is amazing! Everything here tastes homemade, and I really love it because nothing is oversalted or overseasoned, just delicious homey perfection. If you are looking for salty American "home fries" or diner hashbrowns this isn't your place. Potatoes are buttery and have a melt in your mouth consistency, but what I love about Shokolad is that the flavors are subtle, savory, and just right. It feels truly European and authentic, and while I'm no expert at all on Ukrainian cuisine, this place is an absolute gem. My only complaint is that the service can be slow (but always, always kind). As long as you come not in a hurry and are ready to enjoy your meal with patience, you will leave delighted.

This is one of those bright little unassuming surprises that make Chicago shine. They've got a…read morepastry case full of interesting Eastern European desserts, and some nice simple Ukranian food -- cheese pancakes; a really bright and solid borscht, accompanied by rolls with a biting yet delicious garlic oil; even the simple roast beef sandwich was made with leftover chunks of roast, a tangy horseradish sauce and Publican bread and accompanied by nice scoops of cabbage and carrot salads. The ambience is nice enough that you feel like you've gone out somewhere; but not so nice that you feel like you have to dress up or worry about your kids. And it's just sitting here on west Chicago avenue, waiting patiently for you to discover it one chilly day.

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Shokolad - Interior

Interior

Shokolad - Borscht

Borscht

Shokolad - 1/2 Pelmeni; 1/2 Eggplant, green pea & potato varenyky

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1/2 Pelmeni; 1/2 Eggplant, green pea & potato varenyky

Magic Jug - Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)

Magic Jug

4.4(88 reviews)
6.6 mi•Dunning
•$$

My daughter and I had such a wonderful dinner here tonight, and it was truly special for us while…read morevisiting from Colorado. I grew up in the Ukrainian Village living in Portage Park for 30 yrs. We shared every plate and enjoyed a beautiful tour of Ukrainian comfort food done right. My Ukrainian mom who still cooks many traditional dishes (especially amazing varenyky/pierogi), so my daughter has grown up eating her Babcia's versions at home. She wanted to experience those same dishes prepared outside our family kitchen -- and this restaurant absolutely delivered. We shared the potato and cheese varenyky, holubtsi (cabbage rolls), mushroom broth soup, deruny (potato pancakes), and finished with sweet cheese crepes for dessert. Every single dish was delicious -- comforting, flavorful, and clearly made with care and tradition in mind. We ate until we were well beyond full and loved every bite. It felt like a taste of home, but also something new for the both of us, and that made the experience even more meaningful. This will absolutely be a must-revisit the next time we're back in Chicago visiting my mom. Highly recommend for anyone looking for authentic, soul-warming Ukrainian food. The dining area decor is very low key with decor found in most Ukrainian homes. Ukrainian dance music played bringing memories of weddings and dancing polkas.

Under no circumstance whatsoever would I ever use the term "comfort food." So normie, so NPC, so…read morerevolting. At least, I thought I would never apply this opprobrious term. But what other word exists for capably made Ukranian food? It is comfort food qua comfort food. The Platonic ideal of such. Savory in the extreme with more subtle notes of sweet and tart. On a previous trip to Chicago I lodged in a neighborhood bordering Ukraine Village. The proximity allowed me to sample a few establishments from the Ukraine. Things were fine; nothing extraordinary. On this more recent trip, I braved an excursion to the western suburbs, just for the Magic Jug. A food blogger named Hammond said it's the best. He did not lie. So it's in the occidental hinterlands of the city. And yet, my fellow diners were all from the Ukraine. So Ukranian, in fact, they all spoke the mother tongue. Besides that, the surroundings were not particularly Slavic. Minimalist pinewood interior makes you think moreso of Japan and less so of the Eastern Bloc. But anyhow. The chief feature that makes it so good is that everything is seasoned and flavored perfectly. The cooks - all from the Ukraine and all women - each possess palates with sniper rifle precision. The pelmeni (stuffed dumplings of similar appearance to tortellini). So beefy. So oniony. And finished with an herbaceous garlicky seasoning. The golubtsi (stuffed cabbage) at Magic Jug is without it's usually tomato sauce, giving you breathing room to really basque in the chicken broth in which the rice and veg were cooked. The effect: think a reconstructed chicken noodle soup - only with a fat dollop of smetana (sour cream). And the stewed liver. Really like a liver Diane. Don't be a wuss, eat the liver. Get it with mashed potatoes. I had mine with buckwheat so you don't have to. They also have several selections of house made bread. I ordered the one that's like a pull-apart brioche. Too full to appreciate it from on a visceral level, I was still able to note the craft involved. Within it, there contained the balancing act of well developed gluten and pliant interior.

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Magic Jug - Family lunch!

Family lunch!

Magic Jug - Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)

Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)

Magic Jug - Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)

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Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)

Smetana

Smetana

4.9(56 reviews)
13.7 mi

Fantastic place. One of the best restaurants in the area and Glenview is very lucky to have it…read more It's very neat and classy inside. We ordered pierogi's on a Friday night and they were incredible. We ordered a plate of half potato and cheese and half spinach and mozzarella. They were simply just amazing. If I have to be super super picky, though, the potato and cheese pierogis tasted only a slightly bit doughy, but it was still great and I'm planning on paying Smetana multiple visits in the future.

Service - 3/5. Can you not see that I'm dying on this date?! Why is service so slow when we're the…read moreonly ones here? Guy said chicken in stuff cabbage which was wrong (date doesn't eat other meats). Missed when we ordered chicken schwarma warp. Mistook 'hot coffee' and somehow brought out raspberry coulis alcoholic drink?! Give that kid a coffee or multivitamins! Food - 5/5 Pierogi plate - selection of different fillings, boiled or pan-fried Polish platter - sausage, perogis, stuffed cabbage roll, potato pancakes with sour cream and mustard, served with creamy tomato-based sauce or the other sauce. Chicken shwarma wrap - delicious. mostly filled with mozzerella cheese and crunchy vegetables, seared in panini press. I would not describe this as schwarma wrap whatsoever. Coffee came out with 3 sugar cubes on the side of the tea cup. The hygienic part of me is screaming. Doesn't it make more sense to use a sugar bowl?

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Smetana
Smetana - Beet Carpaccio

Beet Carpaccio

Smetana - Herring Beets Tartare

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Herring Beets Tartare

Staropolska Restaurant - Veal Liver with Sauteed Onions

Staropolska Restaurant

4.5(665 reviews)
3.3 mi•Avondale
•$$

Ahead of a few rounds at Revolution Brewery, we stopped by this amazing Polish restaurant. The…read moreatmosphere was a classic Eastern European vibe - dark wood, a well stocked bar, plenty of seating and a separate room for larger parties. The food here was excellent. I had the cheese and potato pierogis which were delicious and covered with grilled onions and bacon. My wife got the stuffed cabbage and enjoy equally. Service was top notch. We ate at the bar and were served promptly and with lots of courtesy.

Absolutely five stars! We stopped by here for a quick lunch after getting some groceries from the…read morePolish supermarket. The food was incredibly authentic and comforting from start to finish. We had the cheese and potato pierogis, Żurek, pickle soup, and the goulash with potato pancakes, and every single dish was packed full of rich, homemade flavor. The goulash and potato pancakes were so good that we honestly wished they gave more than two. Our waitress was amazing as well, super friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful. The portions were generous, everything arrived hot and fresh, and you can tell a lot of care goes into every recipe. It felt like a true home cooked meal in the best way. We left full, happy, and we're already planning our next visit. Also side note - We've also ordered their food through DoorDash, and it was just as delicious. Some places lose quality when delivered, but not this one, everything still tasted fresh, authentic, and full of flavor.

Photos
Staropolska Restaurant - Inside Staropolska(Old Polish Area Milwaukee Ave block from Belmont Ave) Highly Recommended! Great Polish Food!Super inside Decor! Cool!

Inside Staropolska(Old Polish Area Milwaukee Ave block from Belmont Ave) Highly Recommended! Great Polish Food!Super inside Decor! Cool!

Staropolska Restaurant
Staropolska Restaurant - Zywiec O.5L

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Zywiec O.5L

Russian Tea Time - 6pcs Genuine Beef Pelmeni

Russian Tea Time

4.1(938 reviews)
3.2 mi•The Loop
•$$

My friend and I have been wanting to try caviar so we decided to check out Russian Tea Time after…read moretaking a look at the menu. We started off with the caviar which came with blintzes on the side, egg salad, chopped onions, and sour cream. We ordered a bottle of champagne that was the perfect combination. We wanted to try a bunch of different items so we decided to split the Russian Tea Time platter for two as we were able to try some appetizers and then the entree plate included beef stroganoff, stuffed cabbage and chicken kebab. Everything was so tasty! My favorite food was the caviar, stuffed cabbage and for dessert we split the honey cake. The inside of the restaurant looked nicer in person than the photos I had seen online. The ambiance was sophisticated and serene. Our server was very attentive and they were quick to clear any dirty plates.

Great service, atmosphere, clean... But, the food is not good. If you are familiar with real…read moreRussian or Ukrainian food, then you will be extremely disappointed like me. However, if you have never had R/U food before, then give it a try. Perashki had almost no potatoes in them, very small size, not tasty at all. Borsh was okay, not the taste I was hoping to get. Tabule had almost no greens (the traditional tabule is mostly the greens). This was nothing even close to the traditional tabule. 3 out of 10 I would not be back to this place for food.

Photos
Russian Tea Time - Beautiful tea service

Beautiful tea service

Russian Tea Time - Medovik- honey cake

Medovik- honey cake

Russian Tea Time - 403 BTL Saperavi, Veluri

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403 BTL Saperavi, Veluri

Old Lviv - ukrainian - Updated May 2026

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