When Russian forces seized territory in Ukraine’s Donbas region in 2014, Anna and Sergii Stepanets were forced to flee, leaving behind everything that made it their home — their house, their community, their careers. None of that could come with them to Canada, where they landed in Vancouver, then eventually settled in Edmonton. Even as they left everything behind, the taste of home travelled with them.
“It’s a family tradition, to bake and to feed families, friends and have tables of food for any sort of celebration,” says Anna, who wanted to share that tradition with Edmontonians when she and Sergii opened Malina Bakery in Cameron Heights five years ago.
Their vision was simple — good coffee and Ukrainian pastries most Canadians might not have tasted before, like their sour cherry pyrizhki and vatrushka with cottage cheese and raisins. They only later added hot meals to the menu after one customer tried to order perogies — but now Malina’s menu features house-made family recipes, like cottage cheese pancakes in a variety of flavours (including salted caramel).
After opening another location in Sherwood Park in 2022, the couple have now opened a third on 124th Street. Malina Cafe & Bar expands on their vision with a new concept that serves coffee and its classic Ukrainian pastries by day, and will soon serve wine, cocktails and bar snacks by night.
“It’s like the equivalent of a morning coffee meeting, we want to encourage an after-work wine meeting,” says Sergii, adding that the couple was inspired by Italy’s tradition of aperitivo — time to unwind and talk over a light drink and snacks. Their goal is to create a welcoming space where people can grab a quick bite without the need to overspend. “We travel a lot, and … it makes you think about things we could have in our city to add some extra value.”
“Living nowadays is not the easiest,” adds Anna, pointing to the economy and political conflicts that surround us. “But eating good food is something which can calm us down, at least for a moment.”
Malina Cafe & Bar
Westmount | 10350 124 St NW, Edmonton | Instagram: @malina.cafe.bar
