The Brazilian state of Paraná received a great number of Ukrainian immigrants since the 1890s, so if you’re visiting Curitiba, it’s worth including in your itinerary the local restaurants and bars founded by descendants of Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in the region.
I lived in Ukraine briefly and traveled throughout the country on another occasion, so I’ve made it a point to visit establishments run by Ukrainian immigrants wherever I go, whether in Israel, Barcelona, or Curitiba. In addition to restaurants, I also recommend visiting the Ukrainian Memorial, checking the schedule of the Poltava folk group, and, if possible, visiting the museum maintained by the Ukrainian Society of Brazil.
Ukrainian Dishes You Can Find in Curitiba
Here are some typical Ukrainian dishes that you can try in some of Curitiba’s most traditional bars and restaurants, including borsch and vareniki. For vegetarians, borsch, vareniki, and paska are dishes that will suit your palate. If you’re interested, I wrote in other posts about Ukrainian dishes, typical drinks, sweets and desserts.
Borsch/Borscht
Perhaps the most popular Ukrainian food, borsch (or borscht) is a soup made with beetroot as the main ingredient, but with countless varieties. The most well-known variety of borsch in Ukraine is the red one due to the use of beetroot, but each Ukrainian family has its way of preparing it. Typical borsch accompaniments include the sour cream called smetana and garlic bread pampushky.
Vareniki
Vareniki is a dumpling made from a dough of water, salt, and wheat. This dough is filled with cream, mashed potatoes, meat, or any other ingredient to the preparer’s liking. It can be filled with cheese, cherries, cabbage, strawberries, etc. It can also be served with sour cream and fried onions.
Holubtsi/Holoptchi
Holubtsi or holoptchi is a dish made with buckwheat (called “gre-ty-ka” in Ukraine) wrapped in cabbage leaves like a cigar. It’s similar to sarma, another common dish in Eastern Europe.
Paska
Paska is a bread that is typically consumed in Ukraine during the Easter season. It is usually prepared with wheat, milk, eggs, butter, and sugar. Outside of Easter events, you can try slices of paska at Ukra Bar in Curitiba, served with hrin (horseradish), as detailed below.
Kyiv Chicken
Another Ukrainian dish you’ll find in Curitiba is Chicken Kyiv, juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The chicken is usually rolled in butter mixed with herbs, usually garlic, parsley, and dill. It’s pan-fried until crispy, like breaded chicken, but with a crispier texture thanks to the panko crumbs.
Where to Try Ukrainian Food in Curitiba?
Among the best restaurants in Curitiba are Ukra Bar and Barbaran, where you can also try typical Ukrainian dishes, maintained by descendants of Ukrainians in the capital of the state of Paraná.
Ukra Bar
Ukra Bar reminds me a lot of Puzata Khata (Пузата Хата), a popular self-service restaurant chain in Ukraine that I used to frequent daily, because of the way they serve food on trays. At Ukra Bar, I tried borscht, vareniki, holubtsi, Kyiv Chicken with Oliver salad, and slices of paska. It was a Ukrainian dinner to try everything the establishment offers. Each of these dishes is enough for one person, so only order everything like I did if you’re very hungry. I particularly enjoyed the borscht with its smoky flavor, which is a house recipe.
A caipirinha with a borsch flavor? Taste Borchirinha!
A beetroot caipirinha inspired by borsch, borchirinha perhaps best sums up how deeply Ukrainian descendants are integrated into Curitiba and Brazilian life. A signature drink from Ukra Bar, borchirinha has an interesting flavor from the combination of vodka, beetroot, and ginger. Like a good caipirinha, it can be deceivingly sweet!
#Rua Pará, 1079 - Água Verde
Barbaran
In addition to typical Curitiba local food, Barbaran also serves Ukrainian dishes. There I tried the borsch and their “Ukrainian combo,” which combines vareniki and holoptchi. The bar might go unnoticed as you walk down Augusto Stellfeld alley, but it’s recognizable by the tryzub (trident seen on 2 flags of the image below) on the door of the Ukrainian Society of Brazil, which is in the same building.
#Alameda Augusto Stellfeld, 799 - Centro
Ukrainian Memorial
At the Ukrainian Memorial in Curitiba, located in Tingui Park, I was able to buy the Ukrainian sweets gorischke (Горішки) and krutchenek (Кручиник). Gorischke, also called oreshki (Орешки), are usually almond-shaped and filled with dulce de leche. This krutchenek I tried is filled with guava. However, it’s worth remembering that fillings and ingredients vary from region to region, as is the case with many Ukrainian dishes.
Beyond Gastronomy, Immerse Yourself in Ukrainian Culture in Curitiba
In addition to Ukrainian food, Curitiba also has places that showcase the heritage and traditions brought by Ukrainian immigrants. The Ukrainian Memorial is one of the city’s must-see attractions and should be on your itinerary.
Poltava Group
At the same address as Ukra Bar, the Poltava Ukrainian Folklore Group offers cultural and educational activities for anyone interested in learning about Ukrainian culture, including dance and music performances. It is the largest Ukrainian folklore group in Latin America, with over 300 members. Check the performance schedule that Poltava shares on their website (in Portuguese) and social media.
#Rua Pará, 1079 - Água Verde
Ukrainian Society of Brazil
The Ukrainian Society of Brazil is located in the same building as Barbaran, recognizable by the tryzub on the door. They have a museum with a varied collection of clothes, embroideries, photos, and artifacts brought by Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in the state of Paraná. For visits, you must schedule in advance by contacting the organization, as the museum’s activities are coordinated by volunteers.
#Alameda Augusto Stellfeld, 799 - Centro
Ukrainian Memorial in Tingui Park
The Ukrainian Memorial in Curitiba is a replica of a Byzantine-style church characteristic of old Ukrainian villages, which also represents how the first Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in Paraná lived. Inside, it functions as a museum displaying handicrafts, sacred art, poetry, and traditions that came with these immigrants. Next to it, there is a souvenir shop where you can also buy the sweets I mentioned above.
On a smaller scale, the Ukrainian Memorial in Curitiba resembles the Pyrohiv Museum of Architecture and Ethnography, located on the outskirts of Kyiv, which seeks to portray the architectural diversity of all of Ukraine from medieval times.
If you are a descendant of Ukrainians or just curious about Ukrainian immigration in Curitiba, these places will give you a sense of getting to know a little bit of Ukraine while you visit the capital of the state of Paraná.
Have you visited any of these places or have a special tip about Ukrainian culture in Curitiba? Share your experience in the comments!
Originally posted 2025-08-07 04:39:37.
