In the heart of Chicago, amidst the noise of the big city and endless variety of gastronomic experiences, there is a place that not only feeds but also tells. Anelya is a restaurant that transforms Ukrainian cuisine into an emotional and cultural experience. It is not just another trendy spot with a beautiful menu. It is a subtle and profound gesture — towards the past, towards grandmother’s cooking, childhood memories, herbal tea on the evening porch, conversations in the kitchen under the squeak of old doors. And at the same time — it is an entirely modern gastronomic language, where classics are not denied but transformed into art.
Anelya arose from a personal story. Johnny Clark, an American chef of Ukrainian descent, named the restaurant in honor of his grandmother — Anelia Ochatynska, who was born in Kharkiv and emigrated to the USA after the war. She became his window into a culture sustained through culinary rituals, through the taste of dishes cooked with love and stubborn memories of home.
After returning from a trip to Ukraine in 2023, Clark, together with his wife Beverly Kim — a Michelin-starred chef of Parachute — decided to create a space that would tell about Ukraine not through headlines but through aromas, textures, and shapes of dishes.
This is how Anelya was born — the first Ukrainian restaurant in the USA included in the prestigious Michelin guide.
The restaurant’s menu is not a reconstruction of traditions but their reimagining. Each dish has its story and a voice of its own. Here, they serve borscht, but not just borscht — with duck, smoked pears, and a deep, rich broth. There are varenyky, but their presentation, dough texture, and unusual fillings make them a new culinary experience. Cabbage rolls with sturgeon and buckwheat — a refined interpretation of the classics, where the balance of flavors is carefully thought out. Desserts evoke nostalgia and wonder at the same time: Kyiv cake with a modern presentation, Napoleon with cream based on black tea — a sweet memory turned to a new page.
A special place in Anelya is occupied by snacks. An appetizer tower — a concept inspired by Ukrainian feasts, where the center of the table features plates with various pickles, fermented vegetables, dried meats, and fish. This is not just an aperitif — it’s a conversation that begins even before the main course. Everything is prepared from local products, with great attention to quality and technique. There’s a sense of craft and deep respect for tradition that in no way limits but inspires.
The restaurant space is thoughtfully designed so that visitors feel not in an ethnographic museum, but in a modernized Ukrainian home. Wood, linen, ceramics, calm colors — nothing flashy, everything warm, organic, tactile. Every detail tells a tactile story. There’s no folk buffoonery; instead, there is a sense of dignity of a culture that has lived for centuries and today confidently asserts itself in a city showcasing cuisines from around the world.
The story of Anelya would not be complete without beverages. The bar menu includes infusions, homemade kvass, craft cocktails inspired by the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, and wines from Eastern Europe. This is yet another way of conversation — unhurried, emotional, attentive to details. Everything here is designed so that food and drink not only complement each other but also reveal new meanings with every sip and bite.
Anelya is a restaurant for those who want to understand more than just the taste. It is a place where culture is conveyed not through exhibitions but through an empathetic experience. For Ukrainians, it is about a connection that does not break despite the distances. For Americans, it’s about discovering a deep, complex, and subtle culture that can be sincere and refined at the same time. For everyone — it’s about humanity, expressed in care for flavor, texture, and mood.
In a world where authenticity is often imitated, Anelya recreates it — from truth, flavor, and memory. Here, they don’t speak loudly. They cook with heart. And in doing so, they change the perception of what Ukrainian cuisine is and why it matters.
Current information:
Address: 3472 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
Phone: +1 (773)-692-2192
Hours:
Wed-Sun 17:00–21:00 (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
