Ukrainian restaurant Mriya relaunches with new chef and ‘refreshed’ concept

Kyiv-born chef Anton Vasyliev has taken over the restaurant’s kitchen and developed a new menu ‘inspired by Ukrainian flavours and modernity’ that will be available in full from 30 October.

New dishes include chicken giblets skewers with beef juice; carrot, hazelnut cream and fennel salad; pampushka sando with beef tartare; and a sharing plate of shish kebab with grilled shishito peppers and herbs (pictured below).

Signature dishes from the original Mriya menu will also feature such as the borsch, made broth made from beef reeb; cherry varenyky; and chicken Kyiv.

Prominent Ukrainian chef Yurii Kovryzhenko and his partner Olga Tsybytovska launched Mriya in August 2022​​ after they found themselves stranded in London following Russia's invasion of their country.

The restaurant, which has been billed as a 'cultural embassy' of Ukraine in London, showcasing its food, design, art and drink, was notable for being staffed by Ukrainian refugees who fled the country as a result of the war​​.

Kovryzhenko subsequently left the business in early 2023 and since then it has been led by Tsybytovska.

“For two years, Mriya has focused on Ukrainian cuisine, with a traditional, classic menu at its core - reimagined with a modern twist,” she says, discussing the changes.

“Over these two years much has happened and changed, and we can confidently say that today’s Mriya is different from the one that first opened its doors.

“Feeling a strong desire for change, we chose to embrace it. Now, Mriya is about Ukrainian creativity, rooted in heritage and memories, and reflects the contemporary world we live in.

“This is cuisine inspired by Ukraine, infused with the spirit of artistry that flows through the veins of Ukraine's talented chefs.”

Born in Kyiv, Vasyliev honed his craft working in Paris.

Working alongside him in Mriya’s kitchen will be head chef Tetiana Verestiuk, who has been with the restaurant since its launch.