This Small Kentucky Town Has A Ukrainian Restaurant Where Borscht And Varenyky Taste Just Like Home

You know a meal is special when it comes with a story. This one comes with a country’s worth.

In a downtown spot in Central Kentucky, a Ukrainian family is serving the dishes they grew up loving. They ran a restaurant back home before they had to leave everything behind.

Now they are sharing those recipes with their new neighbors. Almost everything on the menu is homemade, and you can taste the care in every spoonful.

The borscht is warm and ruby red. The varenyky are plump little dumplings that feel like a hug from someone’s grandmother.

Photos of Ukraine and a large map cover the walls, so you get a geography lesson with lunch. News reports call it the first Ukrainian restaurant in Kentucky.

That makes it worth the trip. Bring your curiosity and an empty stomach.

You might leave with a new favorite soup and a full heart.

Kentucky’s First Taste Of Ukraine

Bourbon country just got a new reason to brag about its food scene. Taste Of Ukraine in downtown Nicholasville is the very first Ukrainian restaurant in Kentucky.

Being first is a big deal. Before this spot opened, you had to leave the state to find real holubtsi or a proper bowl of borscht.

Now the trip is much shorter. Nicholasville sits just south of Lexington, so a quick drive gets you there.

The building is small and easy to miss. That is part of the fun, since the modest outside gives no hint of the flavors inside.

Locals seem thrilled about it. The restaurant holds a strong rating online, and plenty of guests call it a surprise worth sharing.

You do not need to know anything about Ukrainian food to enjoy it. Many people show up with zero experience and leave with a new favorite dish.

Think of it as a passport stamp without the long security line. You get a real taste of another country right in the heart of the Bluegrass, at 106 E Maple St, Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Bring an open mind and an empty stomach. Both will get a workout here.

Plan for a relaxed visit, too. Rushing through a meal like this would be a small crime against dumplings.

A Family Recipe For Starting Over

Every great restaurant starts with people who care too much about dinner. At Taste Of Ukraine, those people are Taras and Tetiana Soloshchuk, the owners who opened it in Nicholasville at 106 E Maple St.

The couple came to Kentucky from Ukraine. They wanted to share the food, culture, and kindness of their homeland with their new neighbors.

That mission shows up on every plate. The cooking feels personal because it is personal.

Many of the staff members are Ukrainian too. Working here helps them build steady new lives in a new place.

So when you sit down, you are supporting more than a business. You are helping a whole little community grow roots in Kentucky soil.

The owners clearly pay attention to their guests. They answer feedback warmly and treat diners like friends dropping by the house.

Servers are often happy to explain dishes you have never heard of. Ask questions, and you will likely get a friendly answer and a good suggestion.

A family-run place has a different feel than a chain. You notice the care in small details and the pride in each dish that leaves the kitchen.

Come hungry, and maybe leave a kind word behind. It clearly means a lot here.

Cozy Corners And Colorful Art

Comfort starts before the food arrives. The dining room at Taste Of Ukraine feels warm, clean, and calm, a nice break from loud chain restaurants.

Look around and you will spot cool artwork from Ukraine. The decor gives you something to admire while you wait for your plate.

The space is on the small side. Weekends can get busy, so arriving a little early is a smart move.

Seating works mostly as a seat-yourself setup. Pick a table you like and get comfortable.

Prefer fresh air? There is an outdoor patio for guests who like to eat outside when the weather cooperates.

Nobody hurries you out the door. The mood invites long chats, second cups of coffee, and slow bites of dessert.

It works for a quiet lunch alone or a big group dinner. Groups often order many plates to share, which is a great way to sample the menu.

The room is laid back but still nice. You can show up in jeans and still feel like you are somewhere special.

Take a moment to notice the details. Someone clearly put real heart into making this little room feel like a welcoming Ukrainian home.

Bright Red Borscht With Garlic Buns

Beets finally get the respect they deserve. The red borscht at Taste Of Ukraine is a bright, hearty soup that turns skeptics into fans.

This classic soup is built on beets and vegetables. It arrives with a spoonful of sour cream that swirls into pink ribbons as you stir.

Then come the pampushky. These soft little garlic buns are made for dunking, and you will want to dunk every last one.

Borscht is a huge deal in Ukrainian homes. Many families have their own version, and recipes get passed down for generations.

Fun fact: UNESCO recognized Ukrainian borscht cooking as an important cultural tradition in 2022. That is a lot of honor for one bowl of soup.

Green borscht also pops up as a favorite among guests. It offers a tangy twist if you want to try something new.

Soup lovers can also look for solyanka on the menu. It is a rich, savory soup with plenty of bold flavor.

Start your meal with a bowl, even on a warm day. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

Just watch your shirt. Bright red soup and white fabric are not good friends.

Dumplings Worth Folding Your Plans Around

Dough plus filling equals happiness. That simple math explains why the varenyky at Taste Of Ukraine are such a hit.

These are handmade dumplings, pinched shut one by one. Fillings include potato, cheese, and even sweet cherry.

Potato varenyky are the cozy classic. Soft dough, creamy center, and a little sour cream on top make a perfect bite.

Cherry varenyky are a treat for the adventurous. They taste a bit like pie that decided to become a dumpling.

Then there are pelmeni, which are smaller and filled with meat. The menu lists chicken or pork versions served with sour cream.

Not sure which to pick? Get both and split them with a friend.

Potato fans especially love this place. Between dumplings and other spud dishes, you will be well fed.

Making dumplings by hand takes real time and patience. You can taste that effort in the tender dough and careful folds.

In Ukraine, families often gather around the table to make varenyky together. Eating them feels a little like joining that tradition.

Order a plate for the table. They tend to vanish fast, and nobody admits to eating the last one.

Cabbage Rolls And Crispy Potato Pancakes

Cabbage has never looked this good. The holubtsi at Taste Of Ukraine might be the dish people talk about most.

Each roll is a tender cabbage leaf wrapped around seasoned meat and rice. They are slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce until everything turns soft and savory.

Guests often rank them among the best cabbage rolls they have tried. That is serious praise for a humble vegetable.

Now meet the deruny. These potato pancakes come out crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.

A dab of sour cream finishes them off. Simple food, done right, is hard to beat.

Deruny are a comfort classic in Ukraine. Think of them as hash browns that went to finishing school.

Hungry for more? Beef stroganoff is another crowd favorite, with tender beef in a creamy sauce.

Portion sizes are generous, so pace yourself. You may want room for dessert later.

These dishes are perfect for sharing. Order a few and pass them around to taste a little of everything.

Every dish is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. That care shows up in every forkful, especially in these hearty favorites.

Chicken Kyiv, Crepes, And Other Surprises

Cut into a Chicken Kyiv and prepare for a buttery little surprise. The version at Taste Of Ukraine hides melted herb butter inside a crispy fried chicken breast.

It comes with a creamy mushroom sauce. Pair it with homemade mashed potatoes or pasta for a seriously filling plate.

Craving something meaty and cozy? The Tsar’s Pot of Meatballs brings hearty meatballs in rich gravy.

Pork schnitzel and Ukrainian-style cutlets also appear on the menu. Both are great picks if you want something familiar with a twist.

Snack lovers should look for chebureky. These fried turnovers are crunchy, savory, and fun to eat with your hands.

Then there are nalysnyky, thin crepes filled with sweet homemade cottage cheese. They come with sour cream and fruit jam.

Many guests order them as dessert. Others call them breakfast, and nobody argues.

Thirsty? Try kvass, a traditional fermented bread drink with a mild, malty taste.

Plenty of diners try dishes here they have never heard of before. That is half the joy of eating here.

Point at something new on the menu. The worst outcome is finding another favorite.

Honey Cake Is Calling Your Name

Skipping dessert here would be a rookie mistake. Every sweet treat at Taste Of Ukraine is made from scratch, just like the rest of the menu.

Start with medovik, the famous honey cake. Thin layers of honey sponge stack up with soft cream between them.

Fans keep coming back for it. One slice and you will understand why.

The Kyiv cake is another classic worth a try. It is a beloved Ukrainian dessert with crunchy and creamy layers.

Chocolate lovers should look for Spartak. It blends chocolate and honey into one rich, tall slice.

Want something small? The macarons are a light, colorful pick for a quick sweet bite.

Desserts pair nicely with a cup of coffee. Linger a little, since nobody is rushing you.

Plenty of diners wish they had saved room. Learn from them and pace your dinner wisely.

Even better, order a slice to go. Tomorrow’s version of you will be very grateful.

A meal that starts with borscht and ends with honey cake feels like a full trip abroad. You leave with a happy belly, a new favorite dish, and a reason to come back to Nicholasville soon.