Bureau Balbek is an outstanding architecture and design studio founded by Ukrainian architect Slava Balbek and Boris Dorogov. For over 14 years, they have dedicated their time to creating unique spaces for commercial, corporate and residential properties. The works of the studio, including the Balbek Bureau cafe, have been awarded many international awards and received recognition in various media around the world.
Cafe Bureau Balbek: architectural studio projects with photos
In this article we have collected 10 Kyiv restaurants and cafes Balbek Bureau. Each of them is based on the principles of comfort, innovation and functionality. The peculiarity of the bureau’s approach lies in a thorough study of the location of the cafe and the subsequent thoughtful implementation of details.
KYIV FOOD MARKET
Street of Princes Ostrozhskikh, 8
Restaurant complex KYIV FOOD MARKET with an area of 2000 sq.m. located in building No. 5 of the former military arsenal, built at the end of the 18th century. It is a fine example of industrial architecture whose unique, authentic character stems from the structure’s rich history.
The once deserted and cold space has become a place of attraction where people gather, giving the place a new social meaning.
The idea of the co-founders is to gather the best restaurants in Kyiv under one roof, where each of them presents their dishes. The menus do not overlap, which reduces competition between establishments to zero, and at the same time allows you to satisfy the variety of taste preferences of visitors.
MOLODIST
Street of Princes Ostrozhskikh, 8
Molodist is a café-bar with an area of 470 sq. m. m. The main concept is based on the atmosphere of the 90s, reminiscent of childhood before electronic gadgets. The cafe offers familiar home-cooked dishes. The room itself is a continuation of an 18th-century building that was once a military arsenal. Part of this building now houses the Kyiv Food Market. You can easily feel the energy of youth in this place, once you cross the threshold.
CAFE MARKÓ
Sofievskaya street, 19
Markó is located on the ground floor of the Sofia Hotel, near Sofia Square in Kyiv. It combines a lively morning atmosphere with the calm bustle of a busy dining room at lunchtime, as well as cozy candlelit dinners with wine and snacks. The name of the cafe is a tribute to the life and work of Marko Vovchok, who lived for some time in Kyiv and became a symbol of independent, progressive and liberal values in Ukrainian culture. She is considered one of the first influential authors of modernism in Ukraine and a prominent representative of the intelligentsia of her time.
The cafe complements the design concept of the Sofia Hotel. Its target audience is primarily diplomats and people coming to Kyiv on business matters. These guests can afford to stay at an international premium hotel chain, but would like a more authentic experience while visiting the country and exploring its cultural heritage.
101 WINE BAR
Mechnikova Street, 9A
101 is space within space. A 40-meter room, quietly located behind the counters in a shopping center. simultaneously isolated and integrated into the surrounding space. To create a connection between Bar 101 and the outside world, the architects removed one of its walls and replaced it with glass. This transparent glass wall, together with a key element of the interior – a warmly illuminated open shelf for wine bottles – provides a “communication channel” between the bar and the shopping center. The massive door serves as a portal that separates two worlds where time moves at different rates. Once you cross the threshold, the lights dim, the sounds fade, and time seems to slow down.
DUBLER
John Paul II Street 10/1
Dubler is a city cafe in Pechersk. Its main value is the community formed around cool cuisine and easy service. And all this in a cozy interior that allows guests to enjoy food and socializing at the same time.
DYLETANT
Yurkovskaya street, 57/17
Dyletant is a city cafe just a few steps from the Taras Shevchenko metro station in Podol. The concept of the establishment is a simple and convenient design, combining clear forms and elements. The founder’s idea was to create a cafe for friends, where you can have a quick lunch in 20 minutes, exchange friendly phrases with the barista and continue your day. “We wanted to create a place that would be attractive to locals with pets, residents of other areas, tourists and ordinary passers-by,” says Slava Balbek.
BACK TO 100 YEARS FORWARD
Vladimirskaya street, 4
The concept of this restaurant, located in the historical center of Kyiv, is reflected in its name. The restaurant owners wanted to bring traditional Ukrainian cuisine into a modern interior, creating a connection between the historical past and the innovative present of Ukraine. Furniture elements, materials and colors, recognized as traditional, have acquired a modern minimalist interpretation. The walls, floors and furniture are made in light beige tones interspersed with red. This color scheme is typical for traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts. Diz
The design of the large dining table and benches is based on a period interior, but the white finish and clean lines easily fit into a modern setting.
CHINESE HELLO
Ivan Franka Street, 7
Chinese Hello is a Chinese restaurant in the historical center of Kyiv. The goal was to combine modern minimalist design with authentic decorative and lighting elements inherent in Chinese culture, as well as adapt traditional Chinese design to the modern requirements of young, progressive local and foreign guests. The biggest challenge was to fit the exterior and interior into the historical and cultural surroundings. The objectives for the interior were to maintain a delicate balance of authenticity and modernity, as well as create a cozy space for young people and families with children.
THIS IS PYVBAR PODIL
Kontraktovaya Square, 8
THIS IS PYVBAR on Podol is a new location of the beer restaurant chain of the same name in Kyiv. This is the sixth project “THIS IS PYVBAR” that the bureau team has worked on. The total area of the restaurant is 1300 sq. m. m. The ground and basement floors accommodate 274 people, and the terrace offers seats for 115. The team’s task was to create a comfortable beer restaurant that would embody the values of “THIS IS PYVBAR” and have a connection with Ukrainian culture.
KIM KIMCHI
Pravdy Avenue, 47
Kim Kimchi is a Korean restaurant located in the Retroville shopping center in Kyiv. The global success of Korean cuisine inspired our clients so much that they decided to bring it to Ukraine, opening a restaurant in the capital with the same authentic atmosphere.
This Balbek cafe occupies an area of 415 square meters. m and accommodates 146 people. Here you can try kimchi, bulgogi and japchae prepared by a chef specially invited from Korea.
Cafe Balbek Bureau is a unique interior with meaning. They are skillfully integrated into historical buildings and therefore provide additional value.