Russian restaurants in Russia
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Kalinka Malinka
Nostalgia meets Russian MTV at this trendy new Soviet theme café that celebrates the diverse cuisine of all the former Soviet Republics minus the knick-knackery that plagues other retro eateries. Enjoy a Eurasian feast of Ukrainian serniki (cottage cheese fritters), Georgian khachapuri and Kazakh beshparmak (horse meat and noodles) washed down with Moldovan wines or Russian beer. Enter from ul Dzerzhinskogo.
reviewed
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B
Novy Yar
The 90-year-old restaurant was once a favourite among Moscow's elite, including the opera singer Fyodor Shaliapin and the merchant Savva Morozov. These days, an evening at Yar means dining on gourmet fare and taking in a glittering cabaret, complete with showgirls. Even if you don't stay for dinner, stop by this historic spot for peak at the gold-gilded, chandelier-strewn dining room. Inside the Sovietsky Hotel.
reviewed
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C
Sadko
Serving all the Russian favourites, this impressive restaurant’s décor applies traditional floral designs to a slick contemporary style. It has a great children’s room and is ideal as a pre– or post–Mariinsky Theatre dining option. They make their own piroggis (pies) and cranberry mors. The waiters, many of them music students at the local conservatory, give impromptu vocal performances.
reviewed
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D
Old Countryside
This tiny, family-run hideaway is well off the beaten track, but its intimate atmosphere and delectable food are one-of-a-kind. Try old Russian recipes such as beef in plum and nut sauce or ham in oranges. The small size of the restaurant guarantees personal service, but reservations are a must. From the metro station, take any tram down ul Savushkina and get off at the third stop.
reviewed
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Restaurant Rus
This restaurant, located atop the walls of the kremlin, is a throwback to medieval times. The cool stone interior is decorated with battle gear and the views of the Velikaya are taken through the crossbow slits in the walls. Dishes are unspectacular but fresh: marinated mushrooms and potatoes; crab and tomato salad; and salmon with tomatoes and mushrooms. English menu.
reviewed
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Kafehe Kymyz
In the park near the Yulaev horseman statue, this café has outdoor seating - a perfect place in summer to sample some classic Bashkir snacks. Try vak-belyash (a delicious pastry filled with ground beef and potato) or lulya kebab(minced-meat sausage cooked on an open flame and served in a pita). Wash down with some kumiss (fermented mares' milk).
reviewed
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G
Mechta Molokhovets
Inspired by the cookbook of Yelena Molokhovets, the Russian Mrs Beeton of the 19th century, the menu at this compact, elegant restaurant covers the classics from borsch to beef Stroganov. Their speciality is koulibiaca, a golden pastry pie of either fish or rabbit and cabbage – pre-order or be prepared to wait an hour as they cook it fresh.
reviewed
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H
Karelskaya Gornitsa
Karelskaya Gornitsa has rustic-village atmosphere, efficient costumed waiters and excellent Karelian cuisine including a superbly creamy lokhikeytto (archetypal Karelian salmon soup, R230). Without a reservation you just might get a seat in the appealing if cramped bar area. Notice the frog-croak soundtrack in the toilets.
reviewed
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Stolovaya No 17
This wonderful canteen is a relic of Soviet days when 30m queues waited patiently for a cheap meal. Now there’s a kitchen full of babushkas serving a range of tasty options presented at a pick-and-choose counter. Plastic tablecloths cover metal tables decorated with plastic flowers, and you get to eat with aluminium cutlery.
reviewed
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Georgian Kitchen
This is a classic Georgian place, complete with kitschy artwork and Christmas lights. But the shashlyk, kharcho (rice with beef or lamb soup) and khachapuri (cheese bread) are spicy and delicious. And the keyboardist-crooner belting out the ballads never fails to inspire some dancing (or perhaps that's the Georgian wine).
reviewed
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K
Izbushka
A popular little Russian eatery with two themed rooms: a ‘taiga’ room and a ‘dacha’. Traditionally dressed staff clank their high heels on the wood floors under a soundtrack of lightly played hip-hop. The food is hearty and good (a bread-covered bowl of shchi – cabbage, potato and beef – is R115).
reviewed
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Korchma
Home-cooked traditional Russian food in a one-room cottage restaurant. It’s set amid other more-genuine Siberian log homes which have so far survived development pressures. Meals are presented on two-tone ceramics while an accordionist accompanies a costumed folk singer (R50 to R100 cover). There’s a 10% service charge.
reviewed
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M
Sobranie
On the grounds of Music & Time, this traditional Russian restaurant is decorated with stained glass, artwork and antiques that look as though they might be part of the collection. The quaint place caters to hungry tourists in search of traditional Russian cuisine. Much of the cooking is done in the old-fashioned stone oven.
reviewed
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Kitezh
Kitezh is named after a legendary town that, as a defence mechanism, could magically disappear from the sight of an enemy at the sound of a bell. This welcoming eatery re-creates a 17th-century interior in the basement of a building near the Upper St Peter Monastery. The Russian standards are tasty and reasonably priced.
reviewed
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O
Fat Frier
Now with branches around the city, this beer hall on the back streets of the Historic Heart provides a fun hideaway for some comfort food and a Baltika beer. The nostalgic communist paraphernalia recalls the days of Leonid Brezhnev, but thankfully the staff do not – there are smiles all round and good service.
reviewed
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Patskha Restaurant
Heaps of character here. Linger for long, drawn-out meals lubricated with local wine. The delicious cuisine is Georgian and the prime dish is trout or sturgeon which you catch yourself from a pool outside. Keep an eye on what you're ordering as the bill rapidly mounts, leaving you with a hole in your wallet.
reviewed
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P
Noev Kovcheg
This smoky, underground restaurant is worth going to on Friday through to Sunday when the chef serves khash, a hearty Armenian dish made of meat (from cow's feet), chilli peppers, garlic and vodka, and served with lavash. If shin meat doesn't entice, you can always opt for shashlyk or dolmas.
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Q
Sindibad's
The previous entirely Lebanese and Arabic menu here has been adapted to Muscovite taste and now includes sturgeon and pikeperch. However, you can still enjoy the excellent hummus, baba ganoush and pitta, among other Levantine specialities, in a cosy, convivial setting. Bookings advised on weekends.
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Yolki-Palki
This excellent Russian chain is beloved for its country-cottage decor and its well-stocked salad bar. Outlets all over the city specialise in traditional dishes and cheap beer. Other Yolki-Palki locations include Arbat, Zamoskvorechie and Taganka.
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Kafe Napoleon
The city centre’s swankiest restaurant has cork walls, gold-and-magenta colour scheme and a portrait of Old Boney ignoring a startled turkey. There’s live music almost every evening but this triggers a hefty cover charge of R150. The menu comprises Russian and international staples.
reviewed
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Leningrad
Occupying a heritage red-brick building, Leningrad offers dining on a grand scale, mixing Soviet high style with new Russian glitz. Their Olivier salad, made with crayfish, is excellent. Come on Friday or Saturday night if you want to join other guests kicking up their heels to the house band.
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Kafe Russkiy Chay
Set with long wooden tables and benches, this simple eatery remains a bastion of communal dining, its popularity persisting despite the basic, almost tasteless fare. Pelmeni (small dumplings usually filled with meat), bliny, soup and salads are among the options. Order at the counter.
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V
Café Pushkin
The tsarina of haute-russe dining, with an exquisite blend of Russian and French cuisines – service and food are done to perfection. The lovely 19th-century building has a different atmosphere on each floor, including a richly decorated library and a pleasant rooftop café.
reviewed
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W
Chekhov
Perfect for imagining yourself a guest at the great author’s dacha, this charming restaurant trades on pre-revolutionary nostalgia. Traditional Russian dishes are prepared with aplomb and can be washed down with homemade flavoured vodkas, fruit juices and kvas (a non-alcoholic beer).
reviewed
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Actor
Garden furniture and imitation gas lamps create a trattoria ambience – without the fresh air. The place attracts an artsy clientele who like to smoke. The walls are covered with whimsical frescoes and theatre posters, and the air is filled with sounds of live rock, jazz and blues.
reviewed