Odesa is a city where gastronomy intertwines with history, the sea, and a special atmosphere. Here you can have breakfast with oysters overlooking the port, lunch at a restaurant with 200 years of history, and dinner on a terrace above Arcadia beach. This guide will help you create your own culinary route through the city — from tried-and-true classic establishments to new locations that locals are talking about.
Historic Restaurants in Odesa’s City Center
Odesa’s gastronomic history began long before Instagram-friendly interiors appeared. Several establishments have been operating for decades and preserve the authentic spirit of the city.
1. “Steakhouse. Meat and Wine”
Located at 15 Bunina Street — in the very heart of the historic center. The establishment specializes in dry and wet aged steaks produced in-house. The meat is aged in special chambers from 21 to 120 days.
Average bill: 1200-1800 UAH per person. Signature dish — 60-day dry-aged ribeye at 890 UAH/300g. Reservations are required on weekends, especially for terrace seating.
2. “Red and White”
8 Katerynynska Street. One of Odesa’s first wine bars, operating since 2011. The wine list features over 400 selections, including a collection of Ukrainian producers from Odesa and Zakarpattia regions.
The cuisine is European with an emphasis on local products. A cheese plate with Ukrainian cheeses — 480 UAH. Average bill with wine: 900-1400 UAH.
Arcadia and Coastal Zone Restaurants
If you’re staying at the Sunday Rooms apart-hotel in Arcadia, these establishments are within walking distance or just a few minutes’ drive away.
3. “Mama Manana”
A Georgian restaurant at 24b Genuezka Street — a 12-minute walk from Sunday Rooms. It’s a chain restaurant but with consistent quality: Adjarian khachapuri is prepared in a wood-fired oven at 350°C.
Average bill: 550-800 UAH. Adjarian khachapuri — 285 UAH, khinkali (10 pcs.) — 240 UAH. Open from 10:00 to 23:00 daily.
4. “Bernardazzi”
6b Health Trail — a restaurant with panoramic sea views. Named after the architects who created the Odesa Opera House. The 80-seat terrace opens directly onto the beach line.
The cuisine is Mediterranean with Ukrainian accents. Black Sea mussels in white wine — 320 UAH/500g. Oysters (season: September-April) — from 95 UAH each. Average bill: 1000-1500 UAH.
5. “Salve”
An Italian restaurant at 2 Kamanina Street — an 8-minute walk from Arcadia. Fresh handmade pasta daily, with flour imported from Italy. Tagliatelle with truffle — 520 UAH, Neapolitan pizza from the oven — 280-380 UAH.
Fish Restaurants and Seafood
Odesa is a port city, and fish restaurants hold special significance here. The freshest catch is brought in daily from the Black Sea and estuaries.
6. “Fish Market”
6 Prymorska Street — near the Marine Terminal. The restaurant’s concept: you choose fish or seafood from the display counter, and the chef prepares it to your taste — grilled, steamed, or baked in salt.
- Grilled dorado (400g) — 380 UAH
- Black Sea turbot — 450 UAH/kg
- Tiger prawns — 890 UAH/kg
- Fried rapana — 280 UAH/portion
Average bill: 800-1200 UAH. It’s best to book a table on the terrace with a view of the port.
7. “Klara-Mara”
43 Hretska Street. A cozy fish restaurant in a courtyard of typical Odesa architecture. The menu changes depending on the catch — there are permanent items, but the chef adds a “dish of the day” daily with the freshest fish.
Average bill: 700-1000 UAH. Signature fish soup with three types of fish — 190 UAH. Reservations: +380 48 777 88 99.
Restaurant Comparison by Category
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Average Bill | Distance from Arcadia | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steakhouse. Meat and Wine | Steaks | 1200-1800 UAH | 4.5 km (12 min by car) | Required on weekends |
| Mama Manana | Georgian | 550-800 UAH | 1.2 km (12 min walk) | Recommended for evenings |
| Bernardazzi | Mediterranean | 1000-1500 UAH | 2 km (5 min by car) | Required in summer |
| Fish Market | Seafood | 800-1200 UAH | 5 km (15 min by car) | Recommended |
| Salve | Italian | 600-900 UAH | 0.8 km (8 min walk) | Not required |
New and Trendy Locations
Odesa’s restaurant scene is constantly evolving. Here are establishments that have appeared recently and have already earned a reputation.
8. “Fratelli”
14 Derybasivska Street. An Italian restaurant from a chef who worked in Rome and Naples. The specialty — pizza dough is fermented for 72 hours. Margherita — 220 UAH, carbonara (pasta) — 290 UAH.
Open from 11:00 to 00:00. The summer terrace on Derybasivska offers one of the best views of the pedestrian street.
9. “Terrasa”
21 Fontanska Road — between the center and Arcadia. Modern Ukrainian cuisine with an author’s interpretation. Borscht is served with pampushky and house-smoked salo (180 UAH), cherry varenyky — with homemade ice cream (165 UAH).
Average bill: 600-900 UAH. It’s especially lovely here for breakfast — they open at 8:30.
10. “Porto Franco”
1 Posmitnoho Street — near the Shah’s Palace. A restaurant in the style of old Odesa during the porto franco era (1819-1859). The menu includes dishes from historical books adapted to modern tastes.
Signature dish — “Odesa Lunch 1850”: a set of three dishes from 19th-century recipes (680 UAH). Terrace with sea view — book 2-3 days in advance.
Practical Tips for Arcadia Guests
If you’ve chosen accommodation in the Arcadia area — at the Sunday Rooms apart-hotel or other locations — consider the logistics:
- City center restaurants — a taxi costs 80-150 UAH (Bolt, Uklon). The ride takes 10-15 minutes without traffic.
- Arcadia restaurants — in summer, it’s better to walk as parking is overcrowded.
- Reservations — during the season (June-August), it’s essential to reserve tables a day in advance, especially for terraces.
- Operating hours — most restaurants in the center close at 23:00; in Arcadia during summer, they operate until 01:00-02:00.
For breakfast near Sunday Rooms, I recommend “Mama Manana” (Georgian breakfast) or “Salve” (Italian). Both open at 10:00.
Average Restaurant Prices in Odesa (2024)
| Establishment Category | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner with Wine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 120-200 UAH | 200-350 UAH | 400-600 UAH |
| Mid-range | 200-350 UAH | 350-550 UAH | 700-1000 UAH |
| Premium | 350-500 UAH | 600-900 UAH | 1200-2000 UAH |
All prices are current as of spring 2024. During high season (July-August), some establishments raise prices by 10-15%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat in Odesa near Arcadia beach?
Within walking distance of Arcadia beach, you’ll find “Mama Manana” (Georgian cuisine, 12-minute walk), “Salve” (Italian, 8 minutes), and “Bernardazzi” (Mediterranean, 5 minutes by car). Average bill — from 550 to 1500 UAH depending on the establishment.
What is the average bill at Odesa restaurants?
Lunch at a mid-range restaurant will cost 350-550 UAH per person without alcohol. Dinner with wine at a premium establishment — 1200-2000 UAH. Budget options — 200-350 UAH for a full lunch.
Do I need to book a table at Odesa restaurants?
During the season (June-August), reservations are essential for restaurants with terraces and popular establishments in the center. Reserve a table 1-2 days in advance, on weekends — 2-3 days. In the off-season, reservations are only recommended for weekend dinners.
Where are the best seafood restaurants in Odesa?
The freshest seafood is at “Fish Market” (6 Prymorska) and “Klara-Mara” (43 Hretska). Mussels, rapana, and oysters are local, from the Black Sea. Oyster season: September-April. Black Sea mussels in white wine — from 320 UAH for 500g.
Which Odesa restaurants are open for breakfast?
Most restaurants open at 10:00-11:00. Earlier breakfasts (from 8:30) are offered at “Terrasa” on Fontanska Road. If you’re looking for an early breakfast in Arcadia — check out hotel cafes or order groceries to prepare at your apart-hotel.
Odesa is a city where every restaurant has its own history and character. From fish fresh from the sea to 120-day aged steaks, from Georgian khachapuri to author’s Ukrainian cuisine — you’ll find an establishment for any mood here. Staying in Arcadia gives you access to both beach restaurants and historic city center establishments — all within 15 minutes’ drive. The main tip: don’t limit yourself to one restaurant, as gastronomic diversity is exactly what makes Odesa worth visiting.