⚠️ TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK DUE TO THE WAR

Have you ever wondered what coffee, chocolate, and cathedrals could possibly have in common? And no it is not another Hollywood movie. The answer is Lviv, a Ukrainian city, situated close to the Polish border. Lviv offers a unique mix of flavors, traditions and history.

From Bears to Lions

Eastern Europe is known not only for its bears (if you want to know why, check out my post: https://travelfeed.com/@kolibrarium/przemysl-hidden-gem) but also for its lions. And no city embraces the lion more proudly than Lviv. The name itself comes from “Lev,” which means lion in Slavic languages. From the moment you arrive, you start noticing lions everywhere: carved into fountains, standing on rooftops, peeking from facades, and even hiding on doorknobs.

A Walk Through History

Lviv was founded in the 13th century and since then has changed hands more times than you can count. Poles, Austrians, Armenians, Jews, Ukrainians and each left their mark. That mix is what gives the city its charm. The old town, now UNESCO-listed, is full of cobbled streets, pastel facades, and courtyards that look like they belong on postcards. This city is packed with churches and cathedrals and it almost feels like a spiritual theme park. The Armenian Cathedral, the Latin Cathedral, St. George’s Cathedral and many more. The variety of churches reflects the amount of rules the city had. However, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate them because these buildings are part of what makes Lviv’s skyline unforgettable.

Coffee Capital of Ukraine

Who doesn’t love coffee? Good news for all coffee lovers: Lviv is the place to be! The city proudly calls itself the coffee capital of Ukraine, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Coffee arrived here in the 17th century through Ottoman trade, then Austrians added their Viennese café traditions. The result is a city where coffee isn’t just a morning ritual but a whole way of life. And here’s where the local creativity shows up: in Lviv, you can try coffee in variations you have probably never tasted. Lavender, orange, rose, raspberry and many others. And don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about some sticky syrup you would get at Starbucks. I am talking about real fruit pieces, rose petals, natural ingredients that make your coffee taste like a little piece of art.

If you don’t swim in coffee beans, you are not a coffee lover 😁 — *If you don't swim in coffee beans, you are not a coffee lover 😁*

One of the most famous spots is the Lviv Coffee Mining Manufacture, better known as the Coffee Mine. The story is that coffee is “mined” beneath the city, and when you visit, they take you underground with helmets and lanterns like you are going into a coal shaft. It is all theatrics, of course, but it is fun and memorable. Order a “flaming coffee” and watch as the barista sets your cup on fire literally. It is unforgettable experience that makes you look at coffee from another angle.

A Sweet Devotion

What goes better with coffee than chocolate? Lviv’s sweet tooth comes from its Austrian past, but locals took the tradition and made it their own. Lviv Handmade Chocolate shop is the city’s star, where pralines and truffles are displayed. Now, the big comparison everyone wants to make: how does Lviv chocolate stand up against Belgian chocolate? Belgium has the history, the strict standards, and the global reputation. Lviv brings creativity, unique flavors, and that handmade charm. There has not been an official competition (maybe Belgium is afraid to lose 😁), but let’s be honest the best solution is to eat both and let your taste decide.

Syrnyk – Lviv’s Own Cheesecake

If you are still hungry after all that chocolate, another sweet surprise awaits you: syrnyk, the local take on cheesecake. Unlike the heavy versions you might know from New York, syrnyk is lighter, creamy, and often flavored with raisins or candied fruit. It’s baked with a touch of sour cream on top and dusted with sugar powder, making it both rich and delicate at the same time. Locals order it with coffee (what else? 😂) and for many, no trip to Lviv is complete without at least one slice.

Lychakiv Cemetery

It sounds like an odd tourist stop but trust me Lychakiv Cemetery is worth visiting. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful necropolises in Europe, founded back in 1786. Walking through it feels less like visiting a graveyard and more like exploring an open-air museum. What makes it special are the monuments. Sculpted angels, dramatic mausoleums, Art Nouveau tombs, and stonework so detailed it could belong in a gallery. Every path leads you past a piece of art that also tells a personal story. Here rest poets who shaped Ukrainian identity, opera singers who performed on the biggest European stages, painters and playwrights whose works spread far beyond Ukraine, and political figures who once held power in Vienna. One of the legends says that some of the marble angels here are so lifelike that they move ever so slightly at night, as if keeping watch over the souls. If you are up for an unforgettable soul touching (or nerve wrecking) walk, cemetery in Lviv is the place to visit!

Lviv has something for every taste whether it is food, drink, or history. But once you have visited this city you will find yourself already dreaming of the next time you will return 😉.

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