London eatery Tatar Bunar emphasizes Ukraine's cultural roots in its culinary offerings
**Tatar Bunar: A Modern Take on Ukrainian Cuisine in London**
Tatar Bunar, a London-based restaurant, serves up a unique culinary experience that blends traditional Ukrainian flavours with contemporary British and European influences. Located at 152 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AT, UK, the eatery offers a menu that showcases the diversity of Ukrainian cooking and is inspired by the recipes of Alex Cooper's family.
The restaurant's interior is a sleek, modern Ukrainian joint, with handmade clay tiles framing the open kitchen and vintage Ukrainian rugs and photos of Cooper's family adorning the walls. The interiors feature materials sourced from eastern Europe, adding to the authentic Ukrainian feel. Svetlana Sholomitska, a Kyiv-based ceramicist, has handmade every plate, cup, and vase at Tatar Bunar, further emphasising the restaurant's commitment to authenticity.
Some of the signature dishes at Tatar Bunar include red caviar on Guinness bread, a rich, flavorful starter that pairs a classic Ukrainian delicacy with a British ingredient. Monkfish skewers, dressed oysters, smoky vegetable caviar, and plachindy flatbreads are also on the menu, offering a mix of Ukrainian and broader European culinary traditions. The food at Tatar Bunar is based on the recipes of Alex Cooper's family, with a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients.
The sharing plates at Tatar Bunar are a highlight, featuring dishes like onion bread with lardo, rabbit skewered on grapevine twigs, and a twist on creme brulee featuring dumplings filled with sweet cottage cheese. The wine selection includes top Ukrainian producers such as Beykush, Kolonist, and Stakhovsky, offering diners the opportunity to taste some of the best Ukrainian wines.
Tatar Bunar can be found on Instagram at @tatarbunar.london, and is operated by Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko, who also operate more than 30 restaurants in Ukraine. Cooper remains in Ukraine, while Andriienko has relocated to London to oversee the day-to-day operations of Tatar Bunar. The restaurant also boasts collaborations with notable chefs, such as Ukrainian chef Kate Tkachuk, who will reinterpret the recipes at Tatar Bunar, London.
In summary, Tatar Bunar offers a creative, multicultural menu rooted in Ukrainian traditions, set in a stylish London space that bridges Ukrainian authenticity with contemporary British dining culture. The restaurant's commitment to authenticity, combined with its modern approach to Ukrainian cuisine, makes it a must-visit for food lovers in London.
The stylish London space of Tatar Bunar, with its authentic Ukrainian artifacts and contemporary European design, perfectly complements its modern take on Ukrainian cuisine. Aside from the distinct food-and-drink offerings, customers can appreciate the carefully curated lifestyle aesthetic in the home-and-garden elements that adorn the restaurant's interior.
