Jan 22

Jan 22 Handcrafted Stories: Kyiv’s STRICHKA by AIIX Studio Redefines Ukrainian Dining

Inside Kyiv’s Award-Winning Restaurant Where

Ukrainian Craft Meets Contemporary Cuisine

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At the heart of Kyiv’s evolving cultural scene, STRICHKA (Ukrainian for “ribbon”) threads together cuisine, design, and craft into one sensory experience.

Designed in 2024 by AIIX studio, this restaurant redefines what it means to dine — a living narrative of Ukrainian heritage, told through local artisanship, ecological materials, and timeless symbolism.

From the very first plate, STRICHKA sets the tone with contemporary Ukrainian cuisine rooted in local ingredients. Each dish balances heritage with innovation, crafting stories of memory and modernity.

But the storytelling does not stop at the table. The interiors are equally rich in meaning: decorative tiles pressed with wildflower imprints, handmade by Ukrainian ceramicists; textured clay walls inspired by traditional village huts; and bespoke furniture created by regional masters.

Design as Dialogue

At the centre of STRICHKA lies a stone-carved communal table, a sculptural centerpiece that invites connection. With its custom opening, it transforms meals into conversations between guest and chef, blending presentation with participation.

Around it, an open kitchen invites transparency, curiosity, and the collective warmth of Ukrainian hospitality. Opishnia ceramics, Tripillian-era jugs, and handmade furniture by regional masters form a quiet symphony of texture and tradition with a deep respect for place and identity.

In STRICHKA, every element, from wood and clay to linen and stone, tells a story of Ukrainian craftsmanship and ecological care — a vision that earned the project two honours at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards for its interior concept and brand identity.