European restaurants in Russia
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A
Zoom Café
Popular boho/student hangout with regularly changing art exhibitions. Serves unfussy tasty European and Russian food; has wi-fi access, a very relaxed ambience and a no-smoking zone.
reviewed
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B
Scandinavia
In most parts of the world, Swedish cuisine is not really celebrated; in Moscow, it is. Much beloved of Moscow expats, Scandinavia offers an enticing interpretation of what happens ‘when Sweden meets Russia’. A delightful summer café features sandwiches, salads and treats from the grill (including the best burgers in Moscow, by some accounts). Inside, the dining room offers a sophisticated menu of modern European delights.
reviewed
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C
Courvoisier Cafe
This informal, French-themed café is furnished with picnic tables and park benches, evoking an idyllic outdoor setting. (There is outdoor seating too but, fronting the Garden Ring, it is not so peaceful.) Serving breakfast, soups, pasta and grills, it’s a popular spot for happy hour (4pm to 7pm), lunch or a late-night snack.
reviewed
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D
Galereya Khudozhnikov
This fantastical restaurant inside the Tsereteli Gallery is everything that you would expect from over-the-top artist Zurab Tsereteli. The gallery’s five rooms follow different themes, all of which are equally elaborate and which culminate in a huge, light-filled atrium that is wallpapered with stained glass and primitive paintings. The place certainly lives up to its name, which means Artists’ Gallery. The menu is a fusion of European and Asian influences. Though it is secondary to the art, the food is well prepared and, appropriately enough, artistically presented.
reviewed
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E
Correa’s
It’s hard to characterise a place that is so simple. Correa’s occupies a tiny space and there are only seven tables. But the existence of large windows and an open kitchen guarantee that it does not feel cramped, just cosy. The menu – sandwiches, pizza and grills – features nothing too fancy, but everything is prepared with the freshest ingredients and the utmost care. There's outlet in Zamoskvorechie is roomier, but reservations are still recommended for Sunday brunch. Enter from the courtyard.
reviewed
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F
Cheese Hole on Ul Bolshaya Dmitrovka
Where the original in Kitai Gorod is quintessentially quaint, this newer, second location is self-consciously stylish. The avocado and indigo colour scheme is bold, contrasting with the pale yellow walls and arched ceilings that evoke the inside of a cheese hole. This outlet is meant to be French, as opposed to Swiss, but that does not result in a dramatically different menu. It still features deliciously aromatic fromage in all its forms, including fondue, quiche, sandwiches and cheese plates.
reviewed
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Artist's Gallery
This fantastical restaurant inside the Tsereteli gallery is everything that you would expect from this over-the-top artist. The five rooms follow different themes, all equally elaborate; it culminates in a huge, light-filled atrium that is wallpapered with stained glass and primitive paintings. The place certainly lives up to its name. The menu is a fusion of European and Asian influences. While secondary to the art, the food is well prepared and artistically presented.
reviewed
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H
Café des Artistes
A restaurant and art gallery in one, this gay-friendly, Swiss-owned establishment is an interesting and elegant place to enjoy a meal. The glitzy interior has rich red tapestries, marble walls and a frescoed ceiling. The menu is full of delicious options, but the specialities of the house include cream of spinach soup and fresh oysters. Come for the ‘Hungry Sunday’ special, which offers an excellent, alternating three-course meal for R600.
reviewed
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I
Mi Piace
We can’t explain who those kids are, or why they are making funny faces, but we can vouch for this cool, contemporary pizzeria. Big windows allow loads of light into the dining room, and diamond-shaped wine racks are filled with bottles and books. You can sit at a table if you like, but it’s much more appealing to hunker down on one of the couches with your pizza pie. There is another outlet near Pushkinskaya pl with outdoor seating.
reviewed
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Dymov No 1
Restaurant-ruler Arkady Novikov teamed up with meat-mogul Vadim Dymov to create this pub and grill. Universally described as ‘democratic’, the menu is relatively affordable for a Novikov affair, and features an endless array of sausages. Dymov brews only two beers (one light and one red), but there are plenty of other interesting options on draught. Other outlets are in Zamoskvorechie and Tverskoy.
reviewed
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J
Syrnaya Dyrka
Fondue, fromage plates and other cheesy specialities are the highlights of the menu at this hole in the wall. Besides the warm basement with windows looking on to the Boulevard Ring, there is also a summer terrace out the back. Both are perfectly delightful settings for a romantic date or even a solo meal. The place is Swiss-owned, which means French, Italian and German fare all show up on the menu.
reviewed
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K
Gorky
Gorky, which was the former name of Tverskaya ul, is a grandiose space, filled with heavy wooden furniture, plush chairs and marble columns. The stylish setting is perfect for the even-more-stylish guests, who look nothing less than fabulous while nibbling fresh pasta and other contemporary cuisine. The menu is primarily Italian, but the clientele is all-Russian.
reviewed
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Dymov No 1
Restaurant-ruler Arkady Novikov teamed up with meat-mogul Vadim Dymov to create this pub and grill. Universally described as ‘democratic’, the menu is relatively affordable for a Novikov affair, and features an endless array of sausages. Dymov brews only two beers (one light and one red), but there are plenty of other interesting options on draught.
reviewed
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Dymov No 1
Restaurant-ruler Arkady Novikov teamed up with meat-mogul Vadim Dymov to create this pub and grill. Universally described as ‘democratic’, the menu is relatively affordable for a Novikov affair, and features an endless array of sausages. Dymov brews only two beers (one light and one red), but there are plenty of other interesting options on draught.
reviewed
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L
Mayak
Named for the Mayakovsky Theatre downstairs, this is a remake of a much beloved club that operated in this spot throughout the 1990s. The reincarnated version is more café than club, exuding the air of a welcoming, old-fashioned inn. But it still attracts actors, artists and writers, who come to see friendly faces and to eat filling European fare.
reviewed
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M
Meeting Place
The name aptly describes this club/restaurant, which attracts a constant stream of regulars. The food gets mixed reviews, but it's filling and affordable; the many varieties of pelmeni (dumplings) are particularly popular. Most people come for the friendly atmosphere, summertime garden cafe and free wi-fi access.
reviewed
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N
Shesh-Besh in Zamoskvorechie
Following the newest trend in restaurants - rhyming names - Shesh-Besh is a chain offering hearty Azeri fare. The thick soup is easily a meal in itself, as is the extensive salad bar. The place is not overly atmospheric - this the TGI Friday's of Azeri cuisine - but the food is still spicy and prices are affordable.
reviewed
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O
Shesh-Besh in Zayauzie
Following the newest trend in restaurants - rhyming names - Shesh-Besh is a chain offering hearty Azeri fare. The thick soup is easily a meal in itself, as is the extensive salad bar. The place is not overly atmospheric - this the TGI Friday's of Azeri cuisine - but the food is still spicy and prices are affordable.
reviewed
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P
City Grill
This once-pioneering Moscow institution is now nothing special in a city of such high culinary norms, but it's still a reliable and well-located place to grab a decent modern European meal of above average standard. The music can be quite loud.
reviewed
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Q
Face Café
This subterranean space is also a hit with the student crowd. Pass the engraved art deco bar and settle into one of their cosy booths. The menu offers a little bit of every- thing, but the food is well prepared and artistically presented.
reviewed
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R
Le Borshch
There’s a white-washed Scandinavian feel to this stylish Russian–French fusion restaurant with views across the Fontanka River. Their borsch is excellent, as is the salad topped with homemade smoked salmon and quails eggs.
reviewed
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S
Terrassa
Atop the Vanity shopping centre, this cool bistro boasts unbelievable views towards Kazan Cathedral. In the open kitchen, chefs busily prepare fusion cuisine, exhibiting influences from Italy, Asia and beyond.
reviewed
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T
Bochka
This dark and cosy basement place has a good selection of beer and European cuisine. It draws a business lunch crowd, but it’s more fun in the evening, when live music plays.
reviewed