Ukrainian Cafe Opens In Downtown Clearwater As Part Of Cleveland Street Redevelopment

CLEARWATER, FL — A new family-owned cafe is bringing Ukrainian and European flavors to downtown Clearwater.

Nubo Cafe & Bakery recently opened at 420 Cleveland Street, offering from-scratch Ukrainian specialties, European comfort food, pastries, handmade desserts and coffee, according to a news release from the Cleveland Street Alliance.

The cafe is one of many new restaurants and businesses that are opening on Cleveland Street or coming soon to the area.

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Owners Oleksandr and Oksana Kozlenko moved to the United States from Ukraine in 2024 and built the café around the food and traditions they brought with them.

The name Nubo carries the spirit of Ukrainian expressions meaning “Let’s go,” “Come on” and “Don’t give up,” Oleksandr said.

“Nubo is also very much about family,” he added. “This is food we enjoy in our own family, and now we are very happy to share it with your families.”

The menu includes Ukrainian dishes such as borshch, varenyky, deruny and syrnyky, along with crepes, croissants, cakes, soups, salads, espresso drinks and teas. Sauces, fillings and pastries are made in-house using simple ingredients.

The cafe's pink-and-gold interior features decorative mirrors, chandeliers, a coffee bar and bakery. The space is designed for breakfast, lunch, coffee, dessert or a meal with family and friends.

The Kozlenkos considered locations in the Tampa Bay area before choosing Cleveland Street.

“When we first saw this location, we loved it,” Oleksandr said. “We looked at other places in Tampa and St. Petersburg but, in our hearts, it was always this place.”

Nubo joins a growing number of businesses opening along Cleveland Street as downtown Clearwater undergoes a wave of redevelopment and restoration.