Ukrainian entrepreneurs launch Lisbon café featuring onigiri and traditional nut pastries with condensed milk

Vol. coffee&matcha bar opens its doors

According to Radiotrek — Світ: A new café called Vol. coffee&matcha bar has opened in Lisbon’s Campo Pequeno district, founded by Ukrainian restaurateurs Yehor Batrak, Lada Zhuravel, and Yevgen Bilousov. The average bill is around €8, with a basic order costing about €5. The menu includes four types of onigiri prepared by Artem Kabulakhin, winner of the show "MasterChef. Professionals," alongside classic Ukrainian nut pastries filled with condensed milk.

The venue is situated near two hotels, which helps attract tourists. Yehor Batrak noted:

'On weekdays, our guests are mostly Portuguese and foreigners. It turns out there are two hotels nearby, so tourists often stop by. So far, it seems they are mainly Americans, Canadians, and visitors from Central Europe.' Yehor Batrak

Profit margins and cultural bridge

The most profitable item at Vol. is the onigiri, as the café prepares them in-house. Yehor Batrak explained:

'Our most profitable product turned out to be onigiri, because we make them ourselves.' Yehor Batrak

He also added: 'Our average check is currently around €8. When we created the café, we set this figure in our calculations, so we are satisfied with the result so far.'

Thus, Vol. coffee&matcha bar not only offers unique dishes but also builds a cultural bridge between Ukrainian cuisine and Lisbon’s local traditions.

The opening of Vol. coffee&matcha bar in Lisbon marks an important step in promoting Ukrainian culture and cuisine abroad. The establishment meets the gastronomic needs of locals and tourists while fostering cross-cultural connections. Given the growing interest in Ukrainian food across Europe, this venture could become a key element in shaping Ukraine’s international image.