Summer in the city
There are many terraces in Moscow, some of them even belong to very good restaurants. Summer in Moscow, however, can be hot, dusty and noisy, that is why really good terraces hide in the yards, where there is no traffic, but no nice views either. The best view you can get is of your partner ;-) or a wall (sometimes decorated) of the neighboring building.
One of such terraces is Scandinavia – the popular meeting place of Moscow expats and the restaurant, which has been keeping its reputation high for many years.
One can also hide oneself in the park of Art Hotel, which has a nice beer restaurant with grills, or in Gorky park at Chaikhana N1. But both places are well hidden and require a taxi or quite a bit of walking.
Below are several terraces, which are:
- situated on top floors (and so escape the traffic noise, asphalt heat and dust);
- and/or have a nice view;
- a walking distance from one of the central or almost central metro stations.
The price-tag is closer to upper range, however, many of these places function as bars also, so you can visit them on a hot Moscow afternoon just for the sake of a nice view and some refreshment.
- Conservatory lounge and bar in Ararat Park Hyatt hotel. Neglinnaya 4. Hosted by one of the best hotels in Moscow, Conservatory also offers nice views over the city center and is suitable for meeting with a business partner or a good friend. http://moscow.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/ho...
- Dissident restaurant and Loft cafe in Nautilus Trade center on Lubyanka square. Cozy terrace, good, although expensive(ish), food. The panoramic view is over Lubianka square and the KGB building, which gives you a strange feeling of two epochs facing each other. http://www.dissident.msk.ru
- Sky bar on Strastnoi bulvar, 8a. A relatively new place, which, like all new places, has had its share of criticism for service. Nonetheless, people recommend it for its unique views over central Moscow and, besides, criticism is gradually making impact. Also, if you drop in for a couple of afternoon drinks with a view, hardly anyone can spoil your pleasure. http://www.theatrum.ru
- Nostalgie “Shateur” café on Chistoprudnyi Bulvar, 12a. Although this place is on the ground floor :-) , it is situated on the boulevard facing a small lake. In addition to nice food and service, it offers you the opportunity of people-watching and even a gondola ride :-) http://www.nostalgie.ru
- Starlight-1 on Big Sadovaya street, 16. Like the previous place, this is a ground floor diner. But it is cunningly hidden in the Aquarium garden right next to Mayakovskaya square, so if you visit this place for lunch, you will be sitting in the shade of the trees, listening to birds singing and fountain babbling, with crazy Moscow traffic safely moved away by over a hundred meters. http://www.starlite.ru
- Simple pleasures on Sretenka 22/1 is, perhaps, the most inexpensive place of all mentioned. It has a good concept and a very favorable location on a roof, with one exception. At the moment of writing (early July 2006) the yard, which is right behind the SP building was under reconstruction. So, sitting on the terrace you actually had a feeling that you are a foreman on a construction site with all its screams and noises. Otherwise it’s a worthy place, just before you come, call and ask if the reconstruction is finished. Note - Simple Pleasures changed ownership during 2006. It still has patio dining, but is more expensive.
- Sky lounge on Leninsky pospect (avenue), 32a is both the most distant from the center and the highest al fresco eating place in Moscow. Situated on the top floor of the Russian Academy of Science building, the terrace offers magnificent views of Moscow. Sky lounge is rather pricey, but if you happen to be in Moscow on a hot summer night, the visit to this place will perhaps will be a highlight of your stay. A this altitude neither noise, nor mosquitoes can bother you. http://www.skylounge.ru
- Cafe des Artistes on Kamergersky Pereulok is one of the better restaurants in Moscow - period. It is expensive, but you can spend a lot more at other places in Moscow and get a lot less. The fact that you can sit outdoors in the summer months and watch the wide variety of people strolling down Kamergersky (which is closed to vehicular traffic) is just an additional attraction. Centrally located, just a short walk from the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theater, it is a nice way to finish off a great day of sightseeing or theater.
