Ukrainian cuisine
Reviews describe authentic Ukrainian dishes with a modern twist, including borshch, vareniki and Chicken Kyiv.
YOY
Palm Jumeirah
YOY is a Ukrainian firecooking restaurant in Palm Jumeirah serving traditional Ukrainian cuisine with a modern twist. Guests come for dishes such as borshch and cherry vareniki, alongside Ukrainian-inspired interiors, waterfront views and occasional live music.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
366 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Terrace views
The terrace looks towards the waterfront, Palm Jumeirah fountains and Atlantis Dubai.
Signature dishes
Borshch, cherry dumplings and Kyiv cake are repeatedly singled out as standout orders.
Live music
Reviews mention live music, Ukrainian songs and occasional DJ or performer appearances.
Dog friendly
One visitor was pleased to discover that YOY welcomes dogs.
Family friendly
A family reviewer appreciated the power bank provided so their child could watch cartoons during the meal.
Helpful guidance
First-time diners reported patient explanations of unfamiliar Ukrainian dishes, including vegetarian options.
What to Eat at YOY How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For YOY, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at YOY got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 4
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Borsch Net +9
“Borsch is a must-try! ❤️”
Positive 9Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Borsch is a must-try! ❤️”December 2022
“Very nice restaurant, beautiful pleasure atmosphere, tasty Ukrainian food. It was interesting to taste imitation of salo made with coconut oil. Presentation of borsch is super. Our waiter Thaw was very nice and friendly. I would like to come back to this place again 🤗”April 2023
-
Chicken kyiv Net +4
“P.S. the food is so delicious that I ordered 1 portion of Chicken Kyiv to bring back with me for my family to try 🫶🏻”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“P.S. the food is so delicious that I ordered 1 portion of Chicken Kyiv to bring back with me for my family to try 🫶🏻”January 2023
“Very authentic place. Perfect for friends and family gatherings. Staff is friendly and food is delicious. Borsch, cutlet a la Kiev, “nalivka” are must to try. Will definitely come again.”December 2022
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Cherry dumplings Net +3
“Vareniks with cherry are perfect”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Vareniks with cherry are perfect”June 2023
“Atmospheric place, delicious cuisine! My fav ones are cherry dumplings and oseledets pid shubou ♥️ Lady Julia provided excellent service, very friendly and kind person!”June 2023
-
Red varenyky Net +2
“Kiev cutlet, red vareniki, rabbit, was very delicious.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kiev cutlet, red vareniki, rabbit, was very delicious.”April 2023
“And my favourite part - the food. It’s absolutely delicious! It tastes exactly as us, Ukrainians, would expect it to taste, bringing the best memories from the childhood. My personal recommendation would be to try borshch, chicken liver patte shaped as tomato, brown and red varenyky (dumplings), chicken Kyiv and drinks - up to your taste.”January 2023
Honorable mentions (17)
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Banosh Net +1
“Nice and new Ukrainian restaurant located out on the palm. Good options on the menu and nice display of the food. There is outdoor seating with a nice view of the waterfront and a periodic fountain show. I had the borscht and Banosh. Very good I can recommend.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice and new Ukrainian restaurant located out on the palm. Good options on the menu and nice display of the food. There is outdoor seating with a nice view of the waterfront and a periodic fountain show. I had the borscht and Banosh. Very good I can recommend.”January 2023
-
Brown varenyky Net +1
“And my favourite part - the food. It’s absolutely delicious! It tastes exactly as us, Ukrainians, would expect it to taste, bringing the best memories from the childhood. My personal recommendation would be to try borshch, chicken liver patte shaped as tomato, brown and red varenyky (dumplings), chicken Kyiv and drinks - up to your taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And my favourite part - the food. It’s absolutely delicious! It tastes exactly as us, Ukrainians, would expect it to taste, bringing the best memories from the childhood. My personal recommendation would be to try borshch, chicken liver patte shaped as tomato, brown and red varenyky (dumplings), chicken Kyiv and drinks - up to your taste.”January 2023
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Chicken liver patte shaped as tomato Net +1
“And my favourite part - the food. It’s absolutely delicious! It tastes exactly as us, Ukrainians, would expect it to taste, bringing the best memories from the childhood. My personal recommendation would be to try borshch, chicken liver patte shaped as tomato, brown and red varenyky (dumplings), chicken Kyiv and drinks - up to your taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And my favourite part - the food. It’s absolutely delicious! It tastes exactly as us, Ukrainians, would expect it to taste, bringing the best memories from the childhood. My personal recommendation would be to try borshch, chicken liver patte shaped as tomato, brown and red varenyky (dumplings), chicken Kyiv and drinks - up to your taste.”January 2023
-
Garlic bread pampushkas Net +1
“Try their borsch with garlic bread pampushkas (of course!) and authentic Ukrainian dumplings - varenyky!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Try their borsch with garlic bread pampushkas (of course!) and authentic Ukrainian dumplings - varenyky!”December 2022
-
Honey cake Net +1
“The food always consistent which is the big plus. Don’t forget to try the honey cake or Kyiv tart for the dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food always consistent which is the big plus. Don’t forget to try the honey cake or Kyiv tart for the dessert.”April 2023
-
Kampot Net +1
“Best home made kvas and kampot”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best home made kvas and kampot”May 2023
-
Kiev cake Net +1
“And Kiev cake it’s something. It’s So delicious. I’ve been looking for such a tasty Kiev cake for years.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And Kiev cake it’s something. It’s So delicious. I’ve been looking for such a tasty Kiev cake for years.”May 2023
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Kvas Net +1
“Drinks have special 5 stars from me. Kvas and vysnivka are at the 🔝”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Drinks have special 5 stars from me. Kvas and vysnivka are at the 🔝”February 2023
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Kyiv tart Net +1
“The food always consistent which is the big plus. Don’t forget to try the honey cake or Kyiv tart for the dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food always consistent which is the big plus. Don’t forget to try the honey cake or Kyiv tart for the dessert.”April 2023
-
Lamb rips Net +1
“Must try: lamb rips 👌🏽”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Must try: lamb rips 👌🏽”May 2023
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Mashed potato Net +1
“Every dish are look so unique and taste delicious 🤤 they even make my son that very picky with food, feel like home, they provide power bank so can charge his phone and enjoy his favorite cartoon with delicious mashed potato ❤️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Every dish are look so unique and taste delicious 🤤 they even make my son that very picky with food, feel like home, they provide power bank so can charge his phone and enjoy his favorite cartoon with delicious mashed potato ❤️”April 2023
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Nalivka Net +1
“It was so tasty everything, I loved red vareniki with cherry and nalivka, is super stylish interior and the waiter was friendly and helpful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was so tasty everything, I loved red vareniki with cherry and nalivka, is super stylish interior and the waiter was friendly and helpful.”April 2023
-
Oseledets pid shubou Net +1
“Atmospheric place, delicious cuisine! My fav ones are cherry dumplings and oseledets pid shubou ♥️ Lady Julia provided excellent service, very friendly and kind person!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Atmospheric place, delicious cuisine! My fav ones are cherry dumplings and oseledets pid shubou ♥️ Lady Julia provided excellent service, very friendly and kind person!”June 2023
-
Rabbit Net +1
“Kiev cutlet, red vareniki, rabbit, was very delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kiev cutlet, red vareniki, rabbit, was very delicious.”April 2023
-
Red vareniki with cherry Net +1
“It was so tasty everything, I loved red vareniki with cherry and nalivka, is super stylish interior and the waiter was friendly and helpful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was so tasty everything, I loved red vareniki with cherry and nalivka, is super stylish interior and the waiter was friendly and helpful.”April 2023
-
Ukrainian canape Net +1
“I recommend to try cherry dumplings and Ukrainian canape it’s amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recommend to try cherry dumplings and Ukrainian canape it’s amazing.”March 2023
-
Vysnivka Net +1
“Drinks have special 5 stars from me. Kvas and vysnivka are at the 🔝”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Drinks have special 5 stars from me. Kvas and vysnivka are at the 🔝”February 2023
Tips for a Better Visit
Book terrace. Reserve the terrace if you want to watch the fountain show while dining.
Ask guidance. If Ukrainian food is unfamiliar, ask the team what to order and how much will be enough.
Try dessert. Leave room for the honey cake or Kyiv tart, both specifically recommended by a regular visitor.
Check entertainment. Look ahead for Ukrainian singers or performers if live entertainment matters to your evening.
Vegetarian options. Mention that you are vegetarian and ask for help navigating the special vegetarian dishes.
Parking help. If parking becomes awkward, ask whether the team can assist; one guest received help with a parking ticket.
Plan the visit
Practical details
West, Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Common Concerns
Menu knowledge
One returning guest said staff did not know the menu well and struggled with basic service, especially given the price tag.
Small portions
One reviewer felt the portions could be larger for Dubai standards.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
YOY is a Ukrainian firecooking restaurant in Palm Jumeirah, built around traditional Ukrainian food with a modern twist. Reviews make it a good pick for trying borshch, cherry dumplings, Chicken Kyiv and Kyiv cake, with the menu served in a setting designed to feel culturally rooted rather than generic. The Pointe location adds a terrace view towards the waterfront, Palm Jumeirah fountain and Atlantis Dubai.
One reviewer specifically advises booking the terrace for the fountains; inside, guests describe Ukrainian-inspired decor, traditional clothing, Ukrainian music and seating that includes a long communal table. Live music, DJs and Ukrainian performers have also featured, so the entertainment may be part of the evening. Service is usually described as welcoming and helpful, including patient explanations for first-time Ukrainian diners and guidance on portions.
The restaurant is dog-friendly, and one family appreciated staff providing a power bank so their son could watch cartoons while eating. Vegetarian diners have reported being guided through an all-vegetarian selection. There are two cautions in the reviews: one returning guest felt that menu knowledge and basic service had declined, especially given the price tag, while another thought portions could be larger.
For a first visit, ask what to order, reserve the terrace if the fountain view matters, and check whether live entertainment is scheduled.