The criteria for the best summer vacation can confidently include walks by the water, bright sunshine, and delicious food in the company of family and friends. The Rusanivka Embankment, located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, meets all of these criteria.
Recently, the Kyivmaps editorial team compiled a list of the TOP 8 cafes and restaurants in Shevchenkivskyi District with affordable prices and tasty dishes. This time, we've chosen Rusanivka for our list of TOP establishments.
This neighborhood is more like a park since Rusanivka is surrounded by water on all sides. Green boulevards and a promenade, along which cozy cafes and restaurants are scattered, offer a splendid view of the Lavra and the Motherland Monument from the riverbank.
Tbiliso
The restaurant's menu is a fusion of authentic Georgian dishes and their modern variations.
Top picks include 10 varieties of khachapuri, 8 types of khinkali, and chicken tapaka with a choice of 3 sauces.
Guests can enjoy 4 types of traditional cold appetizers called pkhali, as well as tasty eggplant rolls with a nut filling, chashushuli, and adjaruli khachapuri, all served on clay plates.
Homemade wine is imported directly from Georgia, including a semi-dry red made from the Saperavi grape with hints of cherry and a semi-dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes with fresh berry notes.
For non-alcoholic beverages, there are Georgian homemade lemonades made from tarragon and citrus or raspberry and basil.
- From the menu: Adjarian khachapuri – 125 UAH; Khinkali with lamb – 20 UAH; Eggplant rolls with a nut filling – 125 UAH; Lobio with mushrooms – 69 UAH; Chashushuli – 185 UAH.
- Address: Rusaniivska Naberezhna, 4.
A true Georgian feast with lively toasts and a tasting of the signature chacha (a Georgian brandy) would be a perfect choice for celebrating a birthday or anniversary with a group of friends who appreciate good food and drink.
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Spezzo
The Italian restaurant Spezzo is very spacious, with large panoramic windows, divided into zones, and decorated with olive trees. It features an open kitchen, a mozzarella and antipasti bar, a shelf with freshly baked goods, and pasta prepared by hand by the chefs.
One of its specialties is the wide variety of cheeses created using Italian technology in their own cheese factory. The restaurant also has its own bakery, and pasta is prepared on-site.
- From the menu: Rabbit lasagna – 196 UAH; Four meats pizza – 218 UAH; Dorado fillet with zucchini and citrus sauce – 148 UAH; Ravioli with rabbit – 165 UAH; Pavlova dessert with mascarpone cream and mango – 134 UAH.
- Address: Rusaniivska Naberezhna, 8.
Pesto Cafe
Pesto Cafe is renowned for its traditional Italian cuisine. They offer aromatic pizzas that will delight not only adult gourmets but also the youngest guests.
You can enjoy classic Margherita, exotic chicken and pineapple pizza, and the excellent "4 cheeses" pizza. They also serve handmade ravioli with a variety of fillings, various appetizers, and the freshest seafood.
Fans of lighter dishes can savor the Niçoise salad, a warm salad with veal, and the traditional Caesar salad with shrimp.
Those who want to "taste Italy" can start with the bruschetta set with traditional toppings, including mozzarella cheese, aromatic prosciutto, mildly salty salmon, ricotta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Equally popular are traditional pasta made from hard wheat flour, mushroom risotto in white wine, and other Italian delicacies.
- From the menu: Salmon and arugula bruschetta – 118 UAH; Carbonara pizza – 158 UAH; Risotto with white mushrooms – 158 UAH; Shrimp pasta – 178 UAH; Sea bass with tomato salsa – 238 UAH.
- Address: Rusaniivska Naberezhna, 8.
Soul cafe
Soul Cafe is a cozy establishment for family relaxation on the Rusaniivska embankment.
The cafe is divided into several functional areas, including an entrance area, a long bar along the entire end wall, a general guest room with high bar counters for quick snacks, and comfortable soft sofas for a leisurely evening. Soul Cafe hosts free movie screenings every Thursday.
The menu features popular dishes from European and Ukrainian cuisines, homemade baked goods, and original drinks. Their signature items include homemade pies with apples and meat.
- From the menu: Salmon salad with marinated bell peppers, cucumber slices, dressed with Niçoise sauce – 119 UAH; Veal steak with mashed potatoes and onion confiture – 160 UAH; Baked trout with herbs and lemon – 125 UAH; Turkey pasta with bell pepper in cream sauce – 89 UAH; Blueberry-vanilla dessert with pumpkin chips – 49 UAH.
- Address: Rusaniivska Naberezhna, 10.
Happiness in Rusanivka
A family restaurant where Ukrainian cuisine is presented in a modern way. They offer cold and hot appetizers, salads, soups, pasta dishes, fish and meat, and for dessert, Lviv cheesecake, Napoleon, cherry dumplings with sour cream, and ice cream. In the restaurant, you can also try their own homemade pastries like pies and croissants.
- From the menu: salad with lightly salted salmon and crispy eggplants - 188 UAH; grandmother's borscht on ox tails - 128 UAH; Kiev-style cutlet with vegetables and mashed potatoes - 158 UAH; fried Azov flounder - 97 UAH; dumplings with cherry and sour cream - 118 UAH.
- Address: Rusanivska embankment, 8/2.
River Grill
A cozy and spacious restaurant for the whole family, offering refreshing terraces in the summer and a warm fireplace in the winter. Live music is played three days a week.
River Grill's menu features impeccable European, Middle Eastern, and Ukrainian dishes. Seasonal offerings from the chef and a wide variety of grilled dishes allow you to choose exactly what you desire. The children's menu will appeal to any child and give adults the time to enjoy oysters or steaks with a glass of chilled wine.
- From the menu: Caesar salad with tiger prawns - 255 UAH; Buffalo chicken wings - 185 UAH; risotto with white mushrooms and truffle aroma - 210 UAH; Black Sea mussels - 298 UAH; Shu pastry with lemon curd - 95 UAH.
- Address: Rusanivska embankment, 3A.
A romantic dinner is a great way to delight your loved one, spend quality time together, and indulge in delicious dishes. A sensual atmosphere, an exquisite menu, and an excellent wine list set the stage for an unforgettable evening of romance and tenderness.
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Smorodyna
Smorodina is a family restaurant with the finest culinary traditions. The stylish, bright interior of the two-story building with large panoramic windows is adorned with designer chandeliers made from spoons and teacups. One of the restaurant's highlights is the open kitchen, where you can witness a gastronomic show every day!
The restaurant's menu features popular Ukrainian dishes as well as dishes from various world cuisines. However, the main emphasis is on grilled meat dishes prepared on the barbecue and in the Josper. Cold and hot appetizers, salads, carpaccio, and tartares, pizza, rolls, pasta, and ravioli, as well as signature desserts – Smorodina's menu will easily satisfy the gastronomic desires of the modern gourmet.
- From the menu: duck leg with grilled pineapple and strawberry sauce - 395 UAH; lamb shashlik - 395 UAH; filet mignon - 385 UAH; double chicken burger - 295 UAH; risotto with gorgonzola and pear - 257 UAH.
- Address: Rusanivska embankment, 7.
Chachavarnya
You can enjoy the unique flavors of your favorite Caucasian dishes at the restaurant. The glazed terrace overlooking the Rusnivska embankment makes the restaurant an ideal place for special occasions and warm family evenings.
The menu includes salads, appetizers, side dishes, soups, chebureks, khinkali, khachapuri, barbecue dishes, desserts, wine, chacha, and infusions from chachevara.
The signature dish of the establishment can be called lagman – a Central Asian dish consisting of meat, vegetables, and noodles that are mixed before serving.
- From the menu: Khachapuri Megrelian-style – 167 UAH; Warm salad with fried suluguni – 126 UAH; Lagman – 115 UAH; Baked eggplant with chicken and wild mushrooms – 168 UAH; Lulya from lamb – 159 UAH.
- Address: Rusnivska embankment, 10.
La Calaca
At the restaurant, you will be offered a selection of Mexican and American dishes. The summer terrace allows you to spend time in the open air while enjoying conversations with friends. La Calaca welcomes guests with their furry friends.
It's worth trying the delicious burgers and tacos. The menu includes vegetarian dishes. For dessert, you can order refreshing ice cream or banana cheesecakes.
- From the menu: Shrimp and Avocado Salad - 195 UAH; Gazpacho with Cream Cheese - 75 UAH; Tacos with Braised Beef - 165 UAH; Quesadilla with Tiger Shrimp and Salmon - 185 UAH; Fried Ice Cream - 70 UAH.
- Address: Rusnivska embankment, 12.
Taverna
A family-friendly establishment where large groups gather around the table. It's a place where you can enjoy delicious dishes in the company of loved ones.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of seafood, prepared right away on an open grill. The intoxicating aroma of spices and herbs, and of course, the lively music, compel everyone to get up and dance late into the night.
- From the menu: Chicken Souvlaki - 148 UAH; Horiatiki (homemade Greek salad) - 122 UAH; Eggplant Rolls - 126 UAH; Baked Sardines - 215 UAH; Medallions with Blackberry Sauce - 310 UAH.
- Address: Rusnivska Embankment, 4.
The greatest pleasure from these delicacies can be enjoyed while gazing at Kyiv from a great height. We have compiled a selection of restaurants with picturesque terraces that are worth visiting.
