Lviv’s Rynok Square
The café Te Amo Lviv has become a hub for Lviv’s expats and English-speaking locals. Joe Lindsley, Lviv Now’s editor, invites Te Amo regulars to offer their perspectives on the city of Lviv.
By Jameson Wright*
*The author writes under a pseudonym
It isn’t easy making the decision to leave one’s home country and expatriate, but that is exactly what I did seven years ago when I left the United States. I was only twenty-two years old and I hadn’t even graduated from university yet. I decided at the time to take my last term online and «study abroad.» I chose Thailand.
I have lived in Thailand, Malaysia, China, and now Lviv, Ukraine. It wasn’t always easy and being in a country where most people don’t speak your language has its challenges, but I regret nothing. Of all the places I have lived, worked, and traveled to, none have felt more comfortable than Lviv.
Read more: Te Amo Lviv Café Becomes English-Speaking Hub
I recall first arriving in Lviv over sixteen months ago. Coming from East Asia, it was a feast for my eyes. I remember being captivated by the beautiful architecture and the eclectic appearance of the locals. Unlike in many parts of Asia, the appearance of the locals was such a diverse sight. There were different gaits, clothing styles, hair colors, eye colors, body shapes, and sizes. People watching became fun again.
Street dancing in Lviv’s Rynok (Market) Square. Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash
It was around this time I met Dew, an expat here from India and other places. He stood out to me, not just for his friendly demeanor, but for his excellent dress style. He came to Lviv and immediately started organizing meetings through Facebook for expats and locals to connect. I went to his first meeting and especially remember his friendly demeanor. However, I didn’t return to his events until in 2021 he opened his dream café, «Te Amo Lviv.»
Te Amo – Spanish for «I love you Lviv» – didn’t seem like the name of a place I would find in Ukraine, but Dew wasn’t the typical expat here either. Te Amo represented Dew in many ways. It is tasteful, cozy, friendly, and eclectic. I am not just attempting flattery when I say Dew is one of the most tasteful people I have met anywhere. Over the last year, I have seen Dew’s excellent taste regarding clothing, travel, food, people, and other things associated with life. It is apparent that this great taste for the better things in life has transferred to his café.
Watching the city go by, at Te Amo Lviv
Te Amo, thanks to Dew and his co-owners Valentina and Imran, is a great place to sit and chat, to bring a friend or a date, to attend a meeting or an event. Everyday events are planned and each of them bring value to the wider Lviv community. In many ways, these events are the lifeblood of the café. They keep the atmosphere fresh and the place alive, especially whale so many restaurants and cafes are struggling due to covid restrictions.
In its short time being open, Te Amo has become a Lviv institution. There isn’t an expat or English-speaking local that hasn’t heard of Te Amo. Anytime someone wants to get out and be social, they can come to Te Amo and feel comfortable there, find someone to chat with, and enjoy a cozy atmosphere. Even if they don’t want that, they can enjoy wonderful snacks, teas, coffees, or other café staples.
Overall, Te Amo is my go-to place to decompress, relax, and enjoy great café consumables. I can’t help but think of this café when I think of Lviv.
You can see the Te Amo event schedule here.
By Jameson Wright (writing under a pseudonym)
You can read previous editions of this column here.
Does your Lviv café or restaurant have an interesting group of regulars? If so, please write to us via Facebook messenger.
For more information about Lviv:
Midnight in Lviv: The Story of Ukraine’s American Exiles
«The Americans in Lviv are looking for new ideas.»
Virtual Tour of Lviv: A City of Spiritual Nourishment
With a mix of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, and Jewish temples, Lviv is a city that appeals to seeking souls. And it also gave birth to a legendary Muslim thinker.
From the swans of Stryiskyi to the views of the High Castle, Lviv is a city full of varied parks: some landscaped, some wild.
Top Ten Lviv Attractions: Like Paris in the 1920s
Here are things to see and do in a city of conversation culture.
Arriving in Lviv: Practical Tips
Here’s what to do at the airport, along with some suggestions about cash, tip etiquette, SIM cards, event schedules, and info to orient you to the city.
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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
To receive our weekly email digest of stories, please follow us on Substack.
Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
