Tatar Bunar in Curtain Road will be the first London venture for Ukrainian restaurateurs, Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko.
The 90-seat venue is inspired by Alex’s hometown of Tatarbunary in southern Ukraine, and the menu reflects his own family traditions – led by his grandmother’s hearty, comforting recipes.
The likes of chicken Kyiv and beetroot soup – borscht – will take pride of place on a menu which celebrates the produce of the Bessarabia region – from the fields, to the seas and forests.
Cooper is based in Kyiv and has remained in Ukraine throughout the war, supporting his team and community as well as the army and territorial defence.
In the early stages of Russia’s invasion he provided meals for thousands of soldiers each day and transformed his restaurants to food distribution points for the displaced, including the elderly.
Since the outbreak of war, Anna Andriienko has relocated to London and will take charge of running Tatar Bunar, with Kate Tkachuk heading the kitchen, and Alex involved from Kyiv.
The restaurant takes over the site of Tapas Brindisa Shoreditch with interiors by I am Design, using reclaimed wood from the Carpathian region alongside Bulgarian stone sourced from Bessarabia.
Ukrainian artists and craftspeople will be spotlighted including ceramics by Svetlana Sholomitska, who has meticulously handmade each tile, plate, cup and vase during the blackouts in Kyiv.
The open kitchen will overlook the restaurant and internal courtyard filled with greenery and plants, and in summer, guests can make use of an outdoor terrace, seating a further 20.
Alex and Anna said: “We have long admired the food scene in London and its ability to celebrate and champion cuisines from all over the world.
“We believe there is still work to be done in showing London how wonderful Ukraine food is which is why we have decided to open Tatar Bunar.
“We can’t wait to show London what Ukraine cuisine has to offer.”
Tatar Bunar opens at 152 Curtain Road, Shoreditch in March.
