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Wear your story. Come and celebrate together. A vyshyvanka is never “just” clothing. For centuries in Ukraine, embroidery was a language - a quiet way to carry identity when borders shifted, empires came and went, and history tried to rewrite who people were. In villages and cities, patterns were passed down like family recipes: stitched by mothers and grandmothers, saved for holidays, weddings etc - moments when you wanted protection, blessing, and beauty to walk with you. D

Some news doesn’t just make you proud - it makes you quiet for a moment. Time Out Melbourne has named Otakoï as Melbourne’s Favourite Restaurant for 2026, voted by locals in the Food & Drink Awards People’s Choice. More than 10,000 people took part in the vote, and somehow, our little corner of Windsor became a place you chose again and again. To everyone who’s come in for borshch on a cold night, shared varenyky with friends, or stayed for honey cake “just because”… thank yo

Mother’s Day is about the simplest and most meaningful things — time together, small gestures, and moments that stay in the heart. This year at Otakoï, we wanted to create something a little different.Something not just to enjoy… but to make . On May 10 , we’re inviting our youngest guests to become little creators and make something special for the most important person in their lives — mum 💛 We’ll prepare freshly baked cupcakes and a selection of decorations, colours, and

We’re incredibly excited to share that Otakoï has been shortlisted in the Time Out Australia Food & Drink Awards 2026 💛 To be recognised alongside some of the most exciting venues across the country is a huge honour for our team — and for Ukrainian cuisine in Australia. From the very beginning, Otakoï has been about more than just food. It’s about sharing culture, creating a sense of home, and bringing people together around the table. And now, we need your support. ✨ This

Easter is a time of warmth, family, and gathering around the table — and at Otakoï, it’s a tradition we hold especially close to our hearts 💛 This year, we’re excited to share a selection of traditional Ukrainian Easter favourites , prepared with care and inspired by the recipes we grew up with. At the centre of every Easter table is Paska — a soft, lightly sweet bread that symbolises celebration, renewal, and togetherness. Baked fresh and made with attention to detail, our

We are incredibly proud to share some exciting news — our VARENYKY have been chosen as one of the Delicious.100 Best Dishes and Drinks of 2026 . To see Ukrainian dumplings recognised among Australia’s must-try flavours for the year ahead is truly special for our entire team. The Delicious.100 celebrates the most memorable dishes across Australia - from iconic classics to bold new favourites. And this year, our handmade varenyky are part of that national conversation. Made fr

There are dishes you eat — and there are dishes that carry a nation’s memory. In Ukraine, varenyky are not simply dumplings. They are ritual, symbolism, celebration, survival, and home. Long before they appeared on restaurant menus, they were shaped by hand in village kitchens, folded by grandmothers, and served at tables where generations gathered. Today, they remain one of the most iconic pillars of Ukraine’s culinary identity — a dish that has travelled through centuries

February marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — four years of loss, courage, rebuilding, and unwavering resilience. This week, Hanna and Eugene Hawryszko (leader of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria), were invited to appear on ABC News Morning Show to reflect on this anniversary. In the interview, they spoke about the realities of war, the refugee experience, and the journey of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes but not their ide

There is a Ukrainian saying that "the heart of the people is in their art," and at Otakoi, we believe that culture is best shared through creativity and community. This April, we are thrilled to host two very special events: our Van Gogh Sunflower Art Classes . Inspired by the vibrant energy of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic sunflowers - the national flower of Ukraine - these sessions are designed to let your creative expression flow in a warm, welcoming environment. Whether you a

For many of our guests, Ukrainian cuisine is completely new. No familiar reference point. No expectations. Just curiosity. That’s exactly why we created Journey to Ukraine — a dining experience designed as a culinary route across the country, from west to east, where every dish tells a story. Ukraine is vast, diverse, and deeply regional. Food here isn’t just about ingredients — it’s about land, climate, history, and family traditions passed down through generations. At Otak

We’re getting ready to introduce something new to our evening experience. Very soon , you’ll be able to enjoy shisha (hookah / kalyan) upstairs at OhTak Bar , on our rooftop terrace , from 8:00 PM onwards . Whether you’re finishing dinner downstairs or joining us just for drinks, the night will soon continue upstairs with cocktails, conversation, open air — and shisha. A relaxed rooftop ritual Shisha at OhTak Bar is designed as a slow, social experience . Unhurried evenings

Last Saturday night at OhTak Bar turned into something truly special. What started as a live set quickly became a room full of voices, smiles, and shared moments — the kind of night where strangers sing together, glasses clink, and time slows down just enough to enjoy it all. Iryna Karanets filled the bar with warmth, emotion, and joy. Familiar melodies, heartfelt singing, and that beautiful energy that only live music can bring. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a share

Every week, we see the same beautiful thing happen at Otakoï . A birthday table fills up. Someone brings flowers. Glasses clink. And very quickly, it feels like home. Birthdays at Otakoï are never just about the food — they’re about connection. About gathering people around one table and sharing something meaningful. A Special Place for Those with Ukrainian Roots For many of our guests with Ukrainian roots, celebrating a birthday here means reconnecting with flavours, traditi

In Ukrainian homes, pickled tomatoes are never just a side dish. They sit right in the middle of the table — next to warm food, long chats, laughter, and stories that somehow always last longer than planned. Every family has their own recipe. Every jar has its own little history. At Otakoï , we’ve always believed that food is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about moments, connection, and feeling like you belong at the table. That’s why we’re starting something new.

Some evenings are made to be unhurried. This Saturday, 31 January , we invite you to begin your night with dinner at Otakoï , then continue upstairs at OhTak Bar for a special live music set by Iryna Karanets from 7–8 PM . An intimate live set Iryna Karanets will perform a selection of Ukrainian songs and familiar melodies , filling the bar with warmth, emotion, and a sense of connection. It’s not a loud concert — it’s a moment. Music that sits comfortably alongside convers

Smoke in the air. Skewers on the grill. Cold drinks in hand. This is how summer evenings are meant to feel. Last week we hosted our first Shashlyk Party , and wow — it was a huge success . Great energy, smoky grills, shared tables and so many happy faces. Thank you to everyone who joined us 🤍 Because you loved it, we’re making it a Sunday tradition . Juicy meat sizzling over charcoal, fresh sides on the table, chilled drinks, and the sun slowly setting over the city. Shashly

Chebureky have officially joined our menu at Otakoï - and for us, this dish is much more than a new special. It is a story of Crimea, memory, and resilience. Chebureky originate from Crimean Tatar cuisine, where they were traditionally cooked as large, thin pastries filled with juicy meat and fried until perfectly crisp. Over time, chebureky became deeply woven into Ukrainian food culture - especially in Crimea, where food has always been a language of identity, hospitality,

This Tuesday, Otakoï stepped outside and brought Ukrainian flavours straight to the street. We hosted a menu degustation for people walking by — inviting passers-by to taste, chat, and experience Ukrainian food and hospitality in the most open and joyful way. It was truly special to see familiar faces - our regular guests - stopping by for a taste, as well as to meet many new people who had never visited Otakoï before. Some were curious, some surprised, and many simply happy

Today our dining room turned into a little world of colour, laughter, and flour-dusted hands 💫At Otakoï, we hosted a Kids Varenyky Making Masterclass — and it was everything we love about sharing Ukrainian culture with the next generation. Children rolled dough, shaped their own varenyky, and played with colourful dough , turning traditional recipes into edible art.There were smiles everywhere, curious questions, and proud little chefs showing off their creations — proof th

We’re excited to share something new we’ve been quietly working on at Otakoï 💛 Very soon, you’ll be able to take a little piece of Otakoï home with you. We’ll be introducing freshly made, frozen varenyky , prepared in-house and packed for your freezer — perfect for easy, comforting meals at home. Varenyky will be available in packs of 10 pieces and can be purchased directly in the restaurant . Alongside this, we’ll also be offering a selection of our signature cakes for pr