SocietyKyiv’s historic market is nearly empty after upscale food-court makeover

Bessarabskyi Market in Kyiv, which has stood for 114 years, has seen most of its restaurants close less than a year after reopening as an upscale food court. The project faced wartime business pressures, criticism over limited transparency and public input, and complaints that its offerings were costly and lower in quality than nearby alternatives.

KyivBessarabskyi Marketfood court renovationrestaurants

TThe Kyiv Independent★★☆☆☆2026-10-09 09:14Original