The barbecue season is here, and the city’s many forested areas and parks already smell of wood smoke and grilled meat.
However, not all of Kyiv’s parks and green areas allow barbecues, and starting a fire in forbidden areas is punishable by a fine of Hr 340–1,360.
Thankfully, there are places where people can grill legally. The Kyiv Post has put together a list of some of the best places.
VDNH Exhibition Center
The VDNH exhibition center has special barbecuing areas with braziers and tables, and visitors can also rent an arbor with a brazier and buy firewood if they haven’t brought it themselves.
The prices differ in various areas. For instance, a cooking area at the Ostrivets recreation zone for 15–20 people costs Hr 500 per day to rent, while a space for 40–50 people costs Hr 1,500 per day.
Those who don’t want to grill food can also order it from one of the five local restaurants: Yaseny Café, Kolyba, Ostrivets, Sad, and Polyana.
How to get there: The VDNH exhibition center is at 1 Akademika Hlushkova Ave., a couple of minutes’ walk from the Vystavkovyi Tsentr metro station.
For more details, call +38–066–734–5431 (10 a. m. to 6 p. m.) or go to www.expocenter.com.ua
Obolon Embankment
This green area in the northern part of Kyiv on the right bank of the Dnipro River offers two options for those craving a barbecue: bring your own brazier along and grill right there on the beach, or rent a brazier (or mangal, as they are called in Ukrainian) near the beach together with an arbor.
An arbor with 2–10 seats costs Hr 450 to rent, one with 11–20 seats is Hr 850, and one with 21–30 seats is Hr 1,300 per day.
How to get there: Walk from Obolon or Minska metro stations towards Pokrovskiy Cathedral. There are beach areas along Obolon embankment, and wooded beach areas to the north and east, across the bay. There are also lots of beach areas in the next bay to the north, on the edge of the city.
For more details, call +38–067–368–6513 or go to besedkiobolon.com.ua
Holosiivskiy District
Holosiivskiy Park is a picturesque patch of old forest, and the whole of this large territory is suitable for having a barbecue. Near one of the park’s four lakes, pretty much in the center, there is the Didorovka recreation zone. Here, one can rent a wooden arbor for up to 30 people, rent a brazier, and even go fishing for an extra fee. And if you suffer a barbecue disaster and the food is ruined, it’s not a big deal — there are also plenty of restaurants on the park’s territory.
At Didorovka Lake, renting an arbor with 10 seats costs Hr 450 per day, one with 20 seats goes for Hr 850, and one with 30 seats costs Hr 1,200.
How to get there: Take minibus No. 1 or No. 3 from Holosiivska metro station and get off near the Svyatopokrovskiy Holosiivskiy Monastery, or take minibus No. 112 from Lybidska metro station and get off at the Silkhozakademia bus stop.
For more details, call +38–097–068–9534 or go to didorovka.com.ua
Druzhby Narodiv Park
Druzhbiy Narodiv (Peoples’ Friendship) Park is a large green zone surrounded by water. The territory includes sandy beaches, as well as a variety of cafes and restaurants. Visitors can rent boats, do active sports or play mini golf.
To have a barbecue, choose one of the special zones, and make sure to bring along firewood or buy it there. Chopping wood is strictly forbidden here.
Arbors are also available for rent at X-Rhino Park, which is located on the territory of Druzhby Narodiv Park.
People relax, have a barbecue in Druzby Narodiv Park in Kyiv on June 20. (Volodymyr Petrov)
Renting an arbor there with 12–14 seats costs Hr 550 per day Monday through Thursday, and Hr 750 on Fridays and weekends.
How to get there: take bus No. 95, No. 100, or No. 101, or trolleybus No. 30 or No. 31 from Petrivka metro station and get off at Druzhby Narodiv Park bus stop.
For more details, call + 38–068–240–5725, +38–068–240–5716 or go to rhinopark.com.ua
Park of Partisan Glory
This pleasant park with tall pine trees is split into two parts. The first part is an active zone, for riding a bike or jogging, while the second part is well-known as a very pleasant (and legal) place to have a barbecue.
These two parts are separated by three picturesque lakes.
There are no arbors here, only braziers and wooden tables. Renting a table with four seats costs Hr 200 per day, two tables — Hr 350, and three tables — Hr 550.
How to get there: 47 Slavhorodska St., 10 minutes’ walk from Chervony Khutir metro station.
