Volga Region
The beer revolution has come slowly to Ulyanovsk, and this popular Czech restaurant features relatively rare but very good Czech brands such as Klášter…
Must-see restaurants in Russia
Vyborg
This modern pub is full of sporting paraphernalia and has plenty of TVs screening sports and music videos. It's a good place for a cooling pint of…
Yekaterinburg
'TGIF' is loud and boisterous, has staff who introduce themselves by name before they take your order, and kitsch decoration many will know from other…
Volga Region
This is a rustic, Saratovian cafe-restaurant themed on ‘Red Count’ Alexey Tolstoy’s version of Pinocchio. The menu is filled with Russian standards, such…
Vladivostok
Classier than its name might suggest, the M is one of Vlad’s coolest hang-outs, with two unique rooms setting their style sights higher than the humble…
Golden Ring
This gastropub in the centre of Rybinsk is your best bet for a good meal in town, with a contemporary take on Russian and other European dishes. Don't…
Eastern Siberia
In a gloomy macho town like Bratsk, this tidy vegetarian cafeteria comes as a pleasant surprise. Admittedly the lentil soup and samosas have lost any…
Western European Russia
Set in the old castle walls, this charming restaurant has plenty of character, with stained-glass windows, a tiny fireplace, exposed-brick walls and…
Mineral Water Spas
On restaurant-lined pr Kirova, Nostalgia has a pleasant outdoor terrace where you can dine on pelmeni (Russian-style dumplings stuffed with meat),…
Volga Region
Located inside the 'Ural' cinema and bowling complex, a couple of blocks south of central ul Lenina, Gurman is arguably the best midrange place in town…
Yekaterinburg
A quirky cafe-museum spread over two storeys, where guests are encouraged to touch the random collection of exhibits. The food is simple Russian fare;…
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Inside the Planeta Shopping Centre, Yamato serves delicious sushi in a low-lit setting with a dash of style (and a long fish-filled aquarium). It's rather…
St Petersburg
This fun pan-Asian diner, occupying sleek and luminous premises with a retro-glamorous feel just off Nevsky, offers a large menu of very-good-quality…
St Petersburg
Although not flash, this is one of Vasilyevsky Island’s best Georgian restaurants – a friendly place on a residential backstreet, where sumptuous…
Mineral Water Spas
In Alikonovka Gorge, 8km west of Kislovodsk, Cafe Saklya serves Russian and Caucasian dishes in a rustic setting populated with plenty of stuffed animals …
Arbat & Khamovniki
Forgoing the trends that characterise many Moscow restaurants, Pane & Olio is a classic Italian trattoria, offering homemade pasta and fine grilled meats…
Irkutsk
With its menu of imaginative salads, filling soups and (almost) healthy mains, this is no ordinary point-and-eat canteen. Swab the decks with a Slovak…
St Petersburg
One of the city's top Italian operations, Probka oozes Milanese sophistication and is popular with the suits from the building's Gazprom offices. Word to…
Nizhny Novgorod
This one-trick pony does its one thing exceedingly well: making fresh-baked pastries that are stuffed with meat, mushrooms or fruit. Make your selection…
Irkutsk
Irkutsk’s only meat-free restaurant is a small self-service affair with a half-hearted Indian theme and a menu of soya sausages, basmati rice, spicy soups…
Krasnoyarsk
Herb-infused air wafts temptingly out of this long-established Italian eatery, where chequered tablecloths and admirable attempts at pasta, risotto and…
Northern European Russia
Grab a tray and make your way around this plant-strewn cafeteria, picking up your salads, soups and hearty mains as you go along. Wash it all down with a…
Russian Caucasus
This friendly cafe at the first chairlift stop on Mt Cheget serves tasty Russian and Caucasian dishes, as well as homemade wine (R100 a glass) and…
Russian Caucasus
It's no secret what they do best at this cosy basement restaurant. You'll find more than a dozen varieties of the delicious dumpling, along with soups and…
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Serving up good sushi, sashimi, ramen and other Japanese delights, this multiroom restaurant is friendly, fast and welcoming, with a picture menu and a…
Volgograd
This large, bustling Italian place has neorustic decor and a large menu offering straight-up-and-down Italian pizza, pasta and meat dishes complemented by…
Around St Petersburg
Daniel offers a blow-out gastronomic feast within stumbling distance of the Catherine Palace. Swedish chef Eric Viedgård conjures culinary magic with his…
Astrakhan
The inauspicious entrance gives way to the convivial, neorustic ‘Beer House’ pub upstairs that serves a competent range of salads and hot snacks …
Western European Russia
Perfect for a lunch break along ul Lenina, Samovar is an appealing self-serve restaurant specialising in traditional savoury and sweet pies. Sit up front…
Listvyanka
Listvyanka’s most characterful eatery has a nautical theme, a fish-heavy menu and Baikal views. The upper floor is filled with fascinating old junk, which…
Eastern Siberia
There are all kinds of shashlyk and other grilled meat in this little restaurant-bar located in what looks like a construction-site cabin by the town's…
Russian Caucasus
It smells like heaven in this friendly little bakery and sweet shop, featuring loaves of freshly baked bread, piles of pastries and impressive sweet and…
St Petersburg
Opposite Peter’s Cabin, this sleek, laid-back lounge–restaurant has a great terrace perfect for a relaxed lunch over a bottle of wine. The menu ranges…
Arbat & Khamovniki
With its colourful, folksy decor, this basement dining room is an atmospheric spot for filling Balkan food and sweet wine. The excellent-value lunch…
Yakutsk
This originally designed place has an unexpectedly cool vibe and a very eclectic and tasty menu by Yakutsk standards. Street food, delights from the…
St Petersburg
The restaurant name, a punning reference to Jackie Chan in Russian, neatly sums up the burger-meets-Asian menu at this fine and stylish casual diner. Try…
Sakhalin Island
Heavy inlaid wooden furniture and red tapestries set the stage for tasty chicken tikka masala, rich curries and fluffy naan bread at this expat favourite…
Astrakhan
Among the pubs in Astrakhan, this one generally serves the best food, with an extensive menu that spans Russian Volga classics such as fish, pub classics…
St Petersburg
The best place to eat within the Russian Museum is this cafe which occupies an elegant, lofty space where you can enjoy a coffee and cake or a more…
Russian Caucasus
Not far from Nalchik's soccer stadium, this pleasant modern cafe offers a selection of dishes from Turkey, as the owners once lived there. Also on the…
