"Mirali Dilbazi's fermentation-led new-Ukrainian counter on Mezhyhirska — sit at the open kitchen and go once for the tasting."
About Mirali
Mirali Dilbazi, born in Azerbaijan and raised in the kitchen, opened his eponymous restaurant on Mezhyhirska 82 in Podil in late 2021 — and reset what fine dining in Kyiv could be. The cooking is new-Ukrainian: rigorously seasonal, built on the best Ukrainian farms, and driven by in-house fermentation and a near-zero-waste discipline. It is listed on 50 Best Discovery, the academy's directory of rooms worth crossing a city for.
For the wider field, the Kyiv dining guide maps the rest.
The Kitchen
The menu is laconic and changes with the season, but the signatures show the hand: Koji Sushi with ikejime trout and sea-buckthorn kosho; Oyster Dolma with suzma cheese and XO sauce; smoked mushroom with bread-miso sauce and charred leek. Chef Mirali Dilbazi treats the modern Ukrainian pantry through fermentation — kojis, misos, brines — pulling depth from sourced-that-week produce.
The tasting runs roughly ₴1,800–2,000 per person; the wine list holds over 1,100 natural and biodynamic bottles. It belongs in any serious survey of a great tasting menu.
The Room
The format is counter-first: a completely open kitchen, so you watch the brigade plate every course. The room is small and pared-back — concrete and warm wood, low light, an easy hum rather than a roar. Seating is intimate; book the counter to see the cooking. Service runs Wednesday to Sunday, roughly 9–16 then 17–22, with brunch and à la carte alongside the tasting.
Best for Solo Dining
Mirali is built for solo dining: take a counter seat, let the open kitchen become the company, and work through a tasting where every course arrives explained. The pace is yours, the room is quiet enough to think, and the fermentation-led cooking rewards undivided attention. It works equally for a curious first date — see the city's first-date tables — if your companion likes to talk about what is on the plate.
Not for
Not for a big celebratory group or anyone who wants a fixed menu — the room is small and counter-led, the card is laconic and changes weekly, and the classic tasting sometimes gives way to à la carte and brunch.
Frequently Asked
Is Mirali worth it?
Yes — Mirali is one of Kyiv's most ambitious kitchens. Chef Mirali Dilbazi cooks fermentation-led new-Ukrainian food from rigorously sourced produce, the restaurant is listed on 50 Best Discovery, and the open-kitchen counter is a genuine experience. At roughly ₴1,800–2,000 per person it is fair value for the level of cooking.
How hard is it to book Mirali?
Moderate — the room is small and counter seats are limited, so book ahead, especially for weekend evenings. Reserve by phone on +380 50 345 0187 or through the restaurant's booking page. Note the kitchen runs Wednesday to Sunday and rotates between the tasting, à la carte, and brunch.
What should I order at Mirali?
Take the tasting if it is running — it is the clearest read on chef Mirali Dilbazi's cooking. Look for the koji sushi with ikejime trout and sea-buckthorn kosho, the oyster dolma with suzma and XO, and the smoked mushroom with bread-miso. The natural-wine list, over 1,100 bottles deep, is worth a pairing.
What is the dress code at Mirali?
There is no formal dress code — smart-casual fits the pared-back room. It is a counter-led fine-dining space rather than a jacket-required dining room, so come comfortable but tidy. The focus is squarely on the food and the open kitchen.
Is Mirali good for solo diners?
Excellent. The open-kitchen counter is made for eating alone — you watch every course built, the tasting is paced for one, and the room is calm. It is among the better solo tables in Kyiv; see the wider solo-dining guide for more counters worth a seat.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Mirali
Book by phone or via the restaurant · Counter seats limited
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Addressvul. Mezhyhirska 82, Podil
NeighbourhoodPodil
CuisineModern Ukrainian
Price₴1,800–2,000 per person (tasting)
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingOpen-kitchen counter + small room
ReservationPhone / website · ahead
