Restaurants in Belarus
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Strawnya Talaka
This small Belarusian eatery is suitable for a romantic, intimate dinner amid sophisticated Slavic décor, although it can get a little smoky, depending on the other diners. It's a stone's throw from Rakovsky Brovar, if you're up for something rowdier afterward. Reservations are required.
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B
Grunwald
A great place for a splurge. The décor is lightly medieval, the atmosphere relaxed, and the superb food a mix of European and Belarusian (delicious soups and draniki, filling enough for a meal). There's a dazzling array of inventive fish and meat dishes.
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Chomolungma
Wow. A huge menu with a wide range of prices and cuisines: Nepalese, Tibetan, sushi and Indian. There is only one tofu dish, but there is plenty more for vegetarians. It's well worth the 10-minute walk from metro Yakuba Kolasa.
reviewed
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Al' Halil'
Don't let the hole-in-the-wall aspect of this Palestinian joint freak you - here you'll chow down on hot fresh lavash (soft flatbread) and all kinds of Middle Eastern treats: dolma, baba ganoush and several meat dishes. Note that what's on the menu isn't everything, and that some of what is on the menu is prepared in a 'Russianised' way (think mayonnaise). But talk to the staff (they speak a little English) and let them know what you want. They're eager to please.
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Jules Verne
Despite the maritime décor and seafood slant at this fabulous restaurant, the menu is a dizzying and odd combination of Indian and Chinese - but it works. Best is that everything from nan bread to dim sum is mouthwatering and sumptuous. A highly attentive staff (who appear from nowhere to refill your water glass) adds to the dining pleasure. Vegetarians will find plenty to purr about.
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Khutorok
Of all the folk-style traditional restaurants in town, this one takes the prize. Set southeast of the centre, Khutorok has several thematically decorated rooms to choose from, a leafy summer terrace and a menu filled with meat-heavy country cooking (their shashlyk is among the city's best). It's either an 800m walk east of metro Mahileuskaja or a cab ride from the centre.
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D
U Ratushi
Formerly called 'Nul Pyat', referring to the standard serving of beer (a half-litre), this multilevel pub-style restaurant, right across from the ratusha, is packed with a raucous, fun-loving crowd on weekends (there is often a small cover charge for live bands). Book ahead for weekends, or come really early.
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E
Magellan
Where Soviet cafeteria meets modern fast-food bistro. A slick and comfortable place where you can point to what you want before ordering. Nothing fancier here than meat kotlety (cutlets) and salads but all perfectly tasty. Come evening, it's a barlike hangout for young people before they hit the clubs.
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F
Planeta Sushi
Sushi? In Belarus? You bet. In fact there are now several choices for a bowl of miso and a plate of nigiri. Other Japanese dishes (udon, tempura etc) are offered as well. The place seems to have a surprisingly decent connection for fresh fish, but it could use a new avocado supplier.
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Lido
There are several cafeteria-style restaurants similar to Latvian-run Lido but none are nearly as good. All food (a giant selection of Eastern European dishes) is on display, so it's easy for non-Russian speakers: just point at what you want. Lunchtime is packed, but staff will help you find a seat.
reviewed
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Teplo Zaftrak
This bistro-style restaurant sets itself apart from the competition with friendly service, a menu boasting 37 different kinds of pizza (and other Italian fare), a full - yes, full - breakfast menu (a rarity in these parts) and client-friendly specials like free coffee with breakfast.
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H
Traktir U Ozera
This wins hands-down for best location, perched as it is by a pond in the city's prettiest park. The terrace sits under willow trees. Inside the spacious, country-style dining hall, you can feast on simple shashlyks as well as tasty, more elaborate fish and grilled meat meals.
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I
Café Rondo
An exotic trip back to the USSR is assured in this café, where there's a shot glass set at every place, waiting to be filled with cheap vodka. A great place for an inexpensive, quick fill-up on standards like pelmeni (Russian-style ravioli), bliny and borsch.
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Taj
Where Buddha statues meet wooden Russian matryoshka dolls! The North Indian food here is sublime and provides a welcome explosion of spices. The dhal and samosas are fantastic, and vegetarians will find heaven here. The menu has English explanations and photos.
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Café Traktir Na Marxa
Another excellent choice serving decent Belarusian food such as draniki. The relaxed atmosphere in this cellar café-cum-bar is more authentic than the food, but then again, you can't beat the prices. It's also a good place to hang out and have a few beers.
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K
Kasbar
Not quite the Kasbah, but the Persian food on offer is decent, if not terribly spicy and served in teeny portions. Smoke a waterpipe for additional flavours. There are several vegetarian options. Their nightly exotic dance shows are an eyeful.
reviewed
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L
Pelmenaya
As long as you're in a city that's already a blast from the past, continue the theme in this Soviet-style bistro with some of the cheapest fill-ups in town, including pelmeni, meat patties of uncertain origin and other greasy snacks.
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Vitebsky Traktir
Hands-down the best place in town - once you try it you'll not want to bother looking any further. It boasts charming, cavelike rooms, friendly service and a diverse menu, chock-full of inventive, tasty dishes such as gazpacho.
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Express Krynitsa
The Soviet stolovaya (cafeteria) tradition meets modernity here in this huge place where all the food, happily swimming in grease, is visible (a pointer's delight). People-watch out the large windows.
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Gurman
With its locally famous pelmeni (Russian-style meat dumplings) and its wide selection of Italian-style pastas, Gurman is worth the long (though pleasant) walk from the metro.
reviewed
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Staroe Ruslo
Don't be fooled by the lacklustre exterior, inside is some of the best food in town. There are several soups to choose from, and lots of cheesy or mushroomy dishes.
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Kamarowski Rynok
Northwest of pl Jakuba Kolasa is this immense minicity of market mayhem. Inside you'll find nuts, spices, breads, honey, dried fish, meat carcasses, CDs - the lot.
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Karchma
By far your best bet in the city, this folk-styled tavern-restaurant has a wide selection of tasty dishes, including lots of salads and vegetarian options.
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Byblos
This popular, inexpensive joint near the ratusha (town hall) serves up tasty Lebanese meat dishes and a soul-warming spinach-lentil soup.
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Traktir Na Parkavoi
A good bet for Belarusian favourites, this pleasant early 20th-century country kitchen is tucked behind a row of cement blocks.
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