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Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a number of London restaurants are working to support the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing, those who remain in the country without supplies, and the families of those who have already been killed. Here’s what London’s Ukrainian restaurants and the wider hospitality industry are doing right now:
If you know of a London restaurant, bar, or food business that is involved in efforts to support Ukrainians in this crisis, please send details to london@eater.com. This list will be continually updated over the coming days and weeks.
Albina
Ukrainian restaurant Albina in Newham is asking for donations to be made directly to the National Bank of Ukraine which has set up a special account to support the country, its armed forces, and for the purchase of humanitarian supplies. “We won’t give up. The fight goes on. Stand With Ukraine,” the restaurant writes.
Donations can be made via this link.
239 Barking Road, Newham E13 8EQ
Sawmill
Sawmill cafe in West Ham, which is Ukrainian-owned, is asking for donations of medicine, stuff, and money to help those in Ukraine.
Visit the cafe’s Instagram page or website for further details on how to help.
51-53 W Ham Lane, West Ham E15 4PH
Dnister Restaurant
The Ukrainian restaurant in Forest Gate is requesting is also organising donations of medicine, and money to help those in Ukraine.
Visit the restaurant’s Instagram page for further details on how to help.
300 Romford Road, Forest Gate E7 9HD
Olenka Ukrainian Kitchen
The Ukrainian family-run restaurant in Bow will send 10 percent of its income to the National Bank of Ukraine, while sharing donation resources for any diners who want to make donations of their own.
36 Bow Triangle Business Centre, Bow E3 4UR
Prosperity Restaurant
Twickenham-based Ukrainian cafe and restaurant is collecting essential items for Ukraine asking for first aid kits, baby food and baby milk, nappies, sanitary items, hot water bottles, ibuprofen, toothpaste, sleeping bags, and blankets.
59 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3LP
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Newcomer Wines
“During times of injustice we must come together — it forms the basis of who we are, not only as a company but as people. We’re deeply shocked and saddened by the acts of violence and the destruction happening in Ukraine; we are committed to standing in solidarity and supporting Ukraine and its people,” the owners of the Dalston wine bar and import business wrote.
Sunday 27 March, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. will host a food and wine event, from which it will donate 100 percent of proceeds to UNICEF UK. More info can be found at Newcomer Wines online.
Carousel X Yurii Kovryzhenko — Ukrainian Sharing Feast
Sunday 13 March, culinary hub Carousel in Fitzrovia will be handing over the kitchen to chef Yurii Kovryzhenko, to host a Ukrainian sharing lunchtime feast and raffle to raise money for those impacted by the war. The one-off feast will feature pickled vegetables and trout; borsch with duck and prunes, the national culinary symbol of Ukraine; followed by Vareniki dumplings with potatoes and porcini mushrooms; and Ukrainian honey cake to finish. Tickets can be bought at carousel-london.com, with all proceeds donated to the World Central Kitchen.
Jolene, Westerns Laundry, Primeur
Brut Restaurants’s has launched its own initiative, “My Ukraine Family,” which invites people to donate an additional £1 on their bill, with the restaurant pledging to match their donation. It will do this throughout the month of March to “raise funds for the displaced Ukrainians families to help them keep safe, warm & sheltered while the brave men and women stay back to defend their homes.”
Brut has also created a new limited edition “Natties against Nazis” t-shirt, in collaboration with the illustrator Fergus Purcell and @everpresshq. All profits will be donated to the @chooselove campaign and the families displaced by the conflict.
Mamuśka!
Waterloo-based Polish restaurant Mamuska has been fundraising for victims of the war in Ukraine, with events and a Just Giving page set up to direct money to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Donate here.
HIDE
Ollie Dabbous’s Michelin-starred Hide, as well as sister venues Hedonism Wines, Hideaway, and The White Horse, all owned by Evgeny Chichvarkin, described by Hide as “one of the most prominent opposition leaders and vocal critics of the current Russian regime,” are encouraging donating to the National Bank of Ukraine and will distribute badges in all venues to raise awareness. Donate here.
#CookforUkraine
Meanwhile, chef and author Olia Hercules, who has family in Ukraine, together with the author Alissa Timoshkina, and influencer Clerkenwell Boy have teamed up with Unicef’s #CookforUkraine fundraising campaign — which is inviting individuals to pledge donations to Unicef and encourage London restaurants to participate in their own ways. By the afternoon of Friday 4 March, the campaign has raised £68,790.
The full list of restaurants involved and what they are offering can be seen at this link. Among those involved are:
Koya
Japanese udon noodle and small plate specialist Koya will add a Ukrainian-inspired green borsch udon with onsen tomago at the Bloomberg restaurant from 3 March, followed by the Soho and Broadway Market sites from 5 March. Profits will be donated to the campaign.
Yard Sale
The east London pizza group is organising a charity raffle for a winner to get one year of free pizza, with proceeds going to the campaign. £5 to enter.
Kol
The Michelin-starred Mexican-British restaurant in Marylebone is offering an auction prize for a table at the restaurant.
Ikoyi
The recently two-Michelin-starred West African-inspired venue is inviting guests to volunteer their own donation, with a note added to each bill.
Officina 00
Old Street pasta restaurant Officina 00 will aim to recreate the Ukrainian half moon dumpling dish vareniki. “We are so pleased to be supporting this great cause and will do everything we can to raise money for those in need,” the restaurant said.
Sabor
The Heddon Street Spanish restaurant and bar will add a special cocktail and dish to the menu and donate profits to the cause.