Check out city’s best patios
Like any other city, Kyiv changes with the arrival of summer. Kyivans try to spend most of their time outside, which includes having their meals outdoors to try and take advantage of the short summer season. As a result, the majority of restaurants scattered around the city open summer terraces and patios, and that doesn’t merely mean putting a few tables out on the street. Patios are given their own design and style, and at times even have special menus.
During the summer season, Sahaydachnoho street is scattered with various open terraces full of wooden and wicker arm-chairs or small cozy sofas. But, one of the most comfortable summer terraces belongs to the restaurant lounge-bar Casa Bella. The spacious summer patio is furnished with lazy sofas, wicker arm-chairs covered in white. Terrace looks like a room without walls. At the opening of the terrace the chef prepared a dessert menu consisting of 12 types of ice cream. But, before you enjoy a scoop of ice cream he recommends you try one of their seasonal dishes, like a light salad with asparagus and Emmental cheese or grilled vegetables. Ladies will surely love dorado with sweet strawberry-orange sauce. Casa Bella terrace ideally suits not only those who want to relax in the fresh air but would be a good spot for a romantic evening as well.
If you are looking to enjoy a meal in a secluded and quiet place, head to Monaco’s summer terrace, and enjoy its coolness and surrounding beautiful landscape. Situated on the Peyzazhna alley Monaco is a real gastronomic treat.
Restaurant Velour has two summer terraces. The patios are designed as complete restaurant halls with plasma TV screens, floor-lamps, flowers in floor vases. There you’ll be hidden from curious glances of street walkers by a box-tree hedge and organza curtains. The terrace serves the same menu as the restaurant.
Kuvshyn restaurant’s patio is considered one of the best newly opened patios this summer, located on the corner of Fiodorova and Chervonoarmiyska streets in a small green park called Politseyskiy Sadik. The terrace looks especially beautiful in the evening when the lights are on.
If you are busy person, living in the big city, but sometimes feel like some real Parisian romanticism, then the open terrace at Crepe-de-Chine restaurant, situated on the quiet street of Gogoglivska, is exactly what you’re looking for. Parents with children, businessmen and romantic couples frequent the place, attracted by its French crepes, home dishes, culinary experiments (such as violet ice cream), and French wines.
One of the most picturesque places of Kyiv is Zhukov Island. Right there, next to a yacht-club, is Mayachok (Little Lighthouse) restaurant. You can choose to sit in a separate oriental style pavilion, two pontoons, and two open terraces, adjoined to the restaurant’s main building. During the warm season you can take a seat in one of their several open terraces, including open terrace on a pontoon, enjoying dishes and drinks floating on the waves taking in the fresh air and smell of the river. Moreover, there is special equipped beach-solarium that every guest can use.
Despite the fact that there is sitting space and restaurant is located off the beaten path, getting a table there may be a serious problem so make sure you make a reservation beforehand. A simple dinner or supper without alcohol will cost you $70 to $90.
Farther from Podil, and nearer to the metro bridge, you can have a nice dinner near the Dnipro river on the summer terraces of Rukola, Varenichna and Murakami.
Also next to the river stands Pullman restaurant – a boat, disguised as a wagon-restaurant. Their open terrace with wicker chairs looks like a real country house. There focus of the menu is Mediterranean cuisine. Probably the most convenient summer option offered is a salad with ingredients of your choice. You may choose among such products as mussels (Hr 20), crab (Hr 120), cristae (Hr 40), tuna (Hr 52), octopuses (Hr 59), snails (Hr 40), capers (Hr 42), royal olives (Hr 17) and parmesan (Hr 30).
The summer terrace at ShangriLa, an Uzbek-Japanese restaurant is designed in an oriental style with colorful carpets, multicolored cushions, and decorative baldachins. In hot weather you can quench your thirst with tea or sour milk drinks – Turkish Ayran and Armenian Tahn. Ayran is a bit spicy which is seasoned with black pepper, and Tahn with fennel should appeal to anyone. Those who are simply tired from the heat will be offered a drink with a funny name “Vay! Lemonade.” The staff say the recipe is from Israel.
Casa Bella (27 Sahaydachnoho, 425-2309). Open 11 a.m. till the last customer
Monaco (20 Velyka Zhytomyrska, 590-0151). Open noon till the last customer
Velour (43 Lva Tolstoho, 428-1168). Open 24 hours
Kuvshyn (94/10 Chervonoarmiyska/Fedorova, 592-6363). Open 24 hours
Crepe-de-Chine (25 Gogolivska 25, 537-7070). From 8 a.m. till 11 p.m.
Murakami (Naberezhne shose, Dnipro metro station, 428-7219). From 11 a.m. till 6 a.m.
Rukola (Naberezhne shose, Dnipro metro station, berth No.6, 428-7717). From 12.00 a.m. till the last guest
Pullman (Naberezhno-Khreschatytska, Spassky berth No.1, 428-7428). From 12.00 p.m. till midnight
Varenichna (1 28 Esplanadna, 287-1539). Open 24 hours
Mayachok (58A Lyutneva, Zhukiv island, Hydropark, 585-3941)
ShangriLa (5/2 Yaroslavska, 417-7316). From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
