Oleksandr Shapovalov

Kyiv

Spotter since 2020

About me

About me
I arrived in Kyiv to study at our national polytechnic university and stayed here after my graduation. I work in IT, which has been growing fast in Ukraine for the past several years.

I try to travel as much as I can to Europe or some faraway countries. It helps me accept and admit both the negative and the positive sides in my city and country. Meeting new people and cultures helps you understand other people and their way of life.

I'm a fan of urbanism and the development of modern cities. It is always great to spot the best relevant practices all over the world, and especially to notice them when they appear in Kyiv.

Why Kyiv
Kyiv has many sides.

One side is its population. Kyiv is located in the middle of the country, and each year young people from all over come here to study at universities. They often stay after their studies. So, the city has a population with a mix of views and languages (Ukrainian and Russian).

The other is the development and improvements in the urbanism and how comfortable it is becoming for locals. It's true that, like most post-USSR cities, Kyiv has many cars and bad traffic. However, over the past years, the situation has been changing. It is very inspiring to see that the city has become more and more comfortable for everyone.

Last but not least, new and trendy places are appearing like mushrooms after rain. And there are tons of them: bars, coffee places, restaurants or some mix of all of those. At some moment, you admit to yourself that you can't visit everything new. So you try to stick with your favorite places and sometimes go for adventure to find something new.

Where else can you find me online?

My spots (20)

Bánh Mì vs Marketing

A great Subway alternative

"Bánh mì vs Marketing" in Kiev offers great Vietnamese sandwich or Pho Bo soup - if you ask me, it's all about their sandwiches here...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 19, 2025

Piana Vyshnia

Drunk cherry for your mood

"Piana Vyshnia" in Kyiv serves only a kind of cherry liqueur/wine. I suggest asking for additional cherries. The key thing here is the atmosphere...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Golden Gate Metro

Meeting place for everyone

"Golden Gate Metro" in Kyiv is where almost everyone meets up - friends, couples, colleagues... it's the perfect place to start a great walk in the city!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Kaffa

Coffee theatre

"Kaffa" in the center of Kyiv is a ''coffee theater'' where the guests are the actors and different ways to make coffee is the play itself...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Jasmin

Not a fancy place

"Jasmin" in Kyiv is a cafe that's just like what you can find in China! Everything's completely authentic here - the menu as well as its appearance...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Salateira

Salads for everyone

"Salateira" is a chain of salad restaurants in Kyiv. Don't be fooled to think that just because they're salads they're not filling - quite the opposite!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Urban Space 500

Restaurant with social projects

"Urban Space 500" has an interesting idea: 500 people from Kyiv have created a space where social projects can be done, but also a delicious restaurant!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Gogi

Feel the Tbilisi taste

"Gogi" is one of my favorite Georgian restaurants in Kyiv! It always reminds me of my travels across Georgia. My father always asks me to bring him here...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Oleksandr

Shapovalov

Feb 10, 2025

Where to find me

Oleksandr is not the only one

Meet our other Spotters from Kyiv

Join us as a Spotter today!

Be part of a global community of 492 people who love their city!

Write about everything you 🤍 but skip touristic highlights

Show the hearth and soul of the place you call home

Filters
Spotters categories
Price
Price