Gifts and souvenirs from Kyiv

A well-chosen souvenir is a way to preserve memories of your trip to Kyiv or to introduce the city to friends and family back home. Below is a curated list of authentic gifts from the capital — from traditional folk crafts to modern symbols of everyday Ukrainian life.

Vyshyvanka (traditional embroidered shirt)

Often described as “clothing with meaning,” the Ukrainian vyshyvanka is far more than a traditional embroidered shirt. Local artisans combine centuries-old techniques with contemporary design, and every stitch carries symbolic significance. Today, vyshyvankas are no longer reserved for holidays — they’re worn with jeans, skirts, and even tailored suits as part of everyday style.

You may also want to look for linen rushnyky (embroidered towels) or napkins. These items are both practical and symbolic, traditionally representing home and protection.

Where to buy: Etnodim, Narodnyi Dim Ukraina, Folkmart, UAmade, Vsi.Svoi

Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) merchandise

Ukraine’s national railway, Ukrzaliznytsia, has become an unexpected cultural symbol. Despite missile strikes and power outages, its trains keep running, turning the railway into a quiet symbol of resilience and trust.

That same spirit carries over into its official merchandise. You’ll find sweatshirts printed with train schedules to temporarily occupied cities, accessories featuring Kyiv’s chestnut leaf, enamel pins, and even lip balms inspired by different Ukrainian cities. Together, these items form a thoughtful, distinctive design language that feels deeply tied to the present moment.

Where to buy: Main hall of Kyiv Central Railway Station or the Zalizna Kramnytsia online store

Small paintings by contemporary Ukrainian artists

If you’d like to enjoy Kyiv from anywhere in the world, head to Andriivskyi Descent or the nearby Artists’ Alley. Local artists have been painting and selling their work here for years — city panoramas, views of the Dnipro River, and architectural sketches of churches and historic buildings.

If you’re looking for something more practical, you’ll also find tote bags and T-shirts featuring original artwork. As a bonus, shopping here comes with an atmospheric walk along the city’s most artistic street, often referred to as Kyiv’s “Montmartre.”

Where to buy: Andriivskyi Descent

Specialty coffee beans and drip coffee

Kyiv has one of the most exciting specialty coffee scenes in Eastern Europe. Local cafés actively experiment with beans, origins, roasting profiles, and brewing methods. It’s easy to find a place that serves excellent alternative brews and is happy to tell you where the beans come from.

A bag of freshly roasted beans or a box of drip coffee is an easy way to extend the Kyiv experience long after the trip ends. 

Where to buy: Idealist Coffee Co, One Love Coffee, Takava

Petrykivka painting souvenirs

Petrykivka painting is a traditional Ukrainian folk art technique known for its vivid floral patterns. It originated in the village of Petrykivka in the Dnipro region. Local artists paint freehand using brushes made from natural animal hair, without any preliminary sketches — each stroke is applied in a single motion, with no room for correction.

The style is so closely tied to Ukrainian culture that UNESCO has recognized it as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. In Kyiv, you’ll find Petrykivka designs on plates, cups, boxes, wooden spoons, and vases. In many Ukrainian families, this tableware has been used for decades and passed down through generations — not just as decoration, but as a living part of cultural identity.

Where to buy: Narodnyi Dim Ukraina, Folkmart

Kyiv-themed clothing and souvenirs

Kyiv has its own recognizable symbols. One of them is the chestnut tree, which turns the city into a sea of white and pink blossoms each spring. Another is the Motherland Monument — a 102-meter statue holding a sword and shield on the banks of the Dnipro River. Along with golden church domes and historic bridges, these images are widely used by Ukrainian brands in souvenirs, clothing, and accessories.

Popular gifts include tote bags, pins, and mugs featuring chestnuts or the city logo, T-shirts with the silhouette of the Motherland Monument, socks decorated with Kyiv’s bridges, and postcards portraying notable Kyivites.

Where to buy: Andriivskyi Descent, Kyivcorner, UAmade, Ukrainian Senses

Herbal tea from Ukraine

Mint, linden, rosehip, and other herbs offer flavors and aromas that bring you back to Ukraine, even from thousands of kilometers away. They are hand-harvested in the Carpathians and Zakarpattia, where the plants grow in clean mountain air, far from cities and highways.

Kyiv’s markets and specialty shops sell both single-herb teas and carefully balanced blends. Each herb has traditional uses, and shopkeepers are usually happy to offer guidance.

Where to buy: Svit Chaju, TeaHouse, Bessarabsky Market, Zhytniy Market

Ukrainian sweets and chocolate

Kyiv Cake may be the city’s most famous dessert, but Kyiv is also a great place to explore Ukrainian chocolate and candy. Local producers experiment with flavors and textures, offering combinations like milk chocolate with chili, candies with sea salt, and inventive nut-and-spice blends.

The Lviv Chocolate Workshop, for example, is especially popular for handmade chocolates and elegant gift boxes. And if you’re looking for something iconic and uniquely Ukrainian, check out Roshen candies:

• Kyiv Vechirnii — a chocolate praline with whole and crushed hazelnuts, a nostalgic favorite for many Ukrainians.
• Strila — a cone-shaped candy with a delicate condensed milk filling and subtle brandy notes.

Where to buy: Lviv Chocolate Workshop, Roshen stores

Exclusive books and photo albums about Kyiv

Books about Kyiv are a great way to continue discovering the city once you’re back home. One standout title is Kyiv: Past and Present, a photo album featuring rare images from private collections and archives.

Large-format books by Ukraïner are also worth a look. Their publications range from travel expeditions across Ukraine (Ukrainian Insider) to aerial photography and books dedicated to the history of the national railway.

Where to buy: Ukraïner Publishing, Sens Bookstore, Zalizna Kramnytsia