Must-see restaurants in Russia

  • Grillman

    Altai

    Hidden away in the basement of a shopping mall is Gorno-Altaisk's best restaurant. As the name suggests it's all about big hunks of meat here and whether…

  • Tramplin 1650

    Russian Caucasus

    The largest restaurant at Arkhyz ski resort is designed to accommodate hoards of hungry skiers. It has contemporary decor and a crowd-pleasing menu that's…

  • Excellence

    Kamchatka

    Despite its rather uptight and precious appearance, Excellence boasts the most interesting menu in Yelizovo, serving everything from soups, potato…

  • Port-O-Coffee

    Kaliningrad

    Right off pl Pobedy, this branch of an excellent local mini-chain is filled with mellow background beats, a rhythmic clacking of laptops and quality…

  • Filial

    Meshchansky & Basmanny

    The woodwork interior makes it look like a pub or even a Gothic chapel, but the menu is a bit of a culinary ping-pong with Japan and China on one side and…

  • Stolovaya No 1 Kopeika

    St Petersburg

    We doubt there are cheaper places to eat this well on Nevsky – no wonder the lines are long at this self-serve canteen in a cheerfully decorated basement…

  • Upper Market

    Mineral Water Spas

    The ideal place to stock up on edibles for a picnic is this lively outdoor market. Vegetarians can find all kinds of salad and fruit items, as well as…

  • Novy Ochag

    Kaliningrad Region

    The food is only so-so at this Armenian-inflected grill restaurant, just off ul Lenina, but the pretty setting, on a bluff overlooking the sea, is ample…

  • Sok

    Zamoskvorechie

    Citrus-coloured walls and delicious fresh-squeezed juices are guaranteed to brighten your day. All the soups, salads, pasta and fabulous desserts are…

  • Fusion

    Tuva

    If you just wanna hang out with your wireless-enabled device over a brew (of the bean or hop variety) in an unchallengingly stylish, faux-cosmo setting,…

  • Cafe Abramtsevo

    Moscow

    Across the street and down the lane from the main entrance to Abramtsevo Estate Museum-Preserve, you'll find this friendly cafe with outdoor seating and a…

  • Slaviansky

    Golden Ring

    With festive traditional decor, this popular restaurant is a great place for locally produced beer and various vodka-based liquors, with flavours ranging…

  • Baklazhan

    Kaliningrad

    One of the better eating options in the immediate area of central pl Pobedy, this cafe, restaurant and club (depending on the hour) offers dependable…

  • Kruassan

    Kaliningrad Region

    This popular bakery-cafe next to the Svetlogorsk II train station serves excellent coffee, with daily breakfasts until 2pm and comfy outdoor tables to…

  • Kinza

    Western European Russia

    In the basement of a residential building is this bright, sophisticated spot with exposed brick, Persian rugs and warm lighting. The menu features Middle…

  • Ne Riday

    Vladivostok

    This delightful cafeteria (whose name bizarrely means 'don't sob') is about as far from your Russian stereotyped stolovaya (canteen) as it's possible to…

  • Georgian Pastry from USSR

    Eastern Siberia

    Not terribly authentic (perhaps the unnecessary Soviet nostalgia ingredient is to blame), but still quite tasty khachapuri along with other, less iconic…

  • Mechtateli

    St Petersburg

    If you've been dreaming of a place with a delicious menu based on local produce – including deer, salmon and duck – and that's also a great spot for a…

  • Severny

    Kola Peninsula

    Located on the first floor of Hotel Severnaya and serves Russian and European dishes, including pelmeni (Russian-style ravioli), deer meat, and pizza. It…

  • Cafe Simkha

    Russian Far East

    With its Star of David light fittings and multiple types of hummus on the menu, Cafe Simkha is in it to win it as Birobidzhan's premier Jewish restaurant,…

  • Meet.Point

    The Urals

    As well as a small selection of Russian and international mains, this cafe, bar, restaurant and – later in the evening – dance space and karaoke hall…

  • Gin no Taki

    St Petersburg

    In a city awash with wannabe Japanese restaurants, this large and lively operation is one of the most authentic, with a wide range of sushi, sashimi,…

  • Salkhino

    Black Sea Coast

    Near the entrance to Sochi National Park, Salkhino is a suitably rustic Caucasian restaurant at the foot of Mt Bolsho Akhun. They do a popular khashlama …

  • Trapeznie Palat

    Western European Russia

    Part of the Dvor Podznoeva complex, this top-of-the-line restaurant occupies a re-created colourful interior of a 17th-century merchant's home. It serves…

  • Ukrop

    St Petersburg

    Proving veggie, vegan and raw food can be inventive and tasty as well as wholesome, Ukrop (meaning dill) also makes an effort with its bright and…

  • Gosti

    St Petersburg

    Whether you drop by for bakery treats and its homemade teas, or for a full meal of delicious and well-presented Russian classics, you can't go wrong at…

  • SharLot Cafe

    Russian Far East

    Low lit and even a little bit stylish, SharLot Cafe has numerous menus, though sadly none of them are currently in English. However, many of them come…

  • La Provincia

    Western European Russia

    Hidden away in a quiet courtyard with an outdoor terrace, La Provincia is a cosy restaurant with comfy armchairs and lace-covered lamps. The menu offers…

  • Clean Plates Society

    St Petersburg

    Burgers, curry, borsch and burritos all get a look in on this stylish and relaxed restaurant's menu. The horseshoe bar and the inventive cocktail and…

  • Khachapuri i Vino

    St Petersburg

    Specialising in Adzhika cuisine from the Caucasus, this stylish place offers 10 types of khachapuri, the cheesy dough pies that are a bit like a thick…

  • Black Market

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    Whether you come for the 'burger bar' or the 'meat market', you'll get your protein at this upscale American bar and grill. The preparation of the meat is…

  • Biblioteka

    Nizhny Novgorod

    Upstairs from the Dirizhabl bookshop with generic but tasty Italian dishes in an informal, quirky atmosphere. There's a nice range of salads and pastas,…

  • Trikoni

    Black Sea Coast

    Just up the road from Utomlyonnye Solntsem in Krasnaya Polyana village, Trikoni is an old-fashioned country inn with a menu full of Russian and Italian…

  • Stary Bazar

    Sochi

    Surrounded by greenery overlooking a small park, Stary Bazar is another established Sochi restaurant that continues to pack them in. And for good reason –…

  • El Fuego

    Northern European Russia

    This Argentinian-style restaurant provides top-notch dining for the discerning carnivore. An exemplary steak menu that ranges from tender veal to Kobe rib…

  • Marinad

    Sochi

    Set in a gracious former residence, the restaurant comprises a series of intimate salons (and a lovely porch). Dine on traditional Russian fare, including…

  • Dom Yedy

    Golden Ring

    This large, modern supermarket just off of Susaninskaya pl has a good selection of groceries, as well as a fresh deli counter and a beer-and-wine section …

  • Dok

    Sochi

    If you prefer your oysters on the half shell, this sophisticated little harbourside raw bar is for you. You'll fine varieties from the Far East and the…

  • Kharchevnya

    Suzdal

    It's perhaps the most unassuming and unpretentious cafe in Suzdal, but it's also the best. The long menu covers all traditional Russian staples from shchi…

  • Paramushir Tur Restaurant

    Esso

    Inside the smartest hotel in town is also Esso's only real restaurant. There's a big menu of traditional Russian cooking, including some particularly good…

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