Volga Region
This cafeteria, decorated in loud colours, sells inexpensive and decent ready-made dishes mostly by weight. Pick up a tray and point to the various soups,…
Must-see restaurants in Russia
Listvyanka
Between the Mayak Hotel and the post office, this Anglophone-friendly cafe has understatedly laid picnic tables, pleasant service, large portions of fish…
Presnya
We hope you saved room for dessert. Also known as Upside Down Cake, this bakery features lots of cupcakes and pastries, delicious sorbet and a great…
Russian Far East
Serves up palatable pizzas, Drakon draft beer (from Khabarovsk) and has seating on an open-sided veranda. To find it, turn left at the eastern end of…
Mineral Water Spas
Near a pretty fountain at the eastern end of pr Kirova, Cafe Fontan serves a cheap and cheerful selection of Russian and European dishes, including…
Esso
This is the best-stocked supermarket in town and the best place to get supplies for hikes. Fresh pies and rolls with fillings including meat, cabbage and…
Vladivostok
A first-rate place for barbecued meat, sushi and the classic bibimbap (rice topped with egg, beef and vegetables). It's tucked down a lane, barely visible…
Northern European Russia
This small, cosy cafe to the right of the Solovetsky Transfiguration Monastery serves fish soup that is usually made from that morning's catch, as well as…
Kaliningrad Region
With a nice view to the town's signature water tower, this upmarket cafe has a good selection of the usual Russian offerings, local fish dishes and…
Russian Caucasus
Browse the tables piled high with fresh fruit and berries, dried fish and herbs and handmade brooms, not to mention eye glasses, shoes and anything else…
Russian Far East
Beside pl Lenina, this clean modern stolovaya serves tasty, affordable staples: baked dishes, roast meats and the usual beet or potato salads are all on…
Lake Baikal
The Spar supermarket opposite the bus station is the place to stock up on enough fruit, cheese, bread and instant porridge to keep you going all the way…
Yakutsk
Pleasant cafe with frothy coffee drinks, buttery croissants and other temptations (cherry Danishes, apple strudel, honeycake, bliny). The takeaway shop is…
St Petersburg
One of Piter's most authentic Indian restaurants offering a mix of traditional and modern recipes in a range of spice levels. It’s a great choice for…
Western European Russia
The faux Greek statues, low lighting and heavy drapes are a little gaudy but this is the fanciest choice in town. There are plenty of Russian meals to…
Solovetskaya Sloboda Hotel Restaurant & Bar
Northern European Russia
Russia and European food is served in this unassuming restaurant and bar in the basement of the Solovetskaya Sloboda hotel.
St Petersburg
Pastel-coloured walls are adorned with paintings by local artists, and the menu of home-cooked Georgian meals, served in big portions, will keep everyone…
Northern European Russia
Basic, but pleasant summer cafe inside the monastery orchard, sometimes serving shashlyk (meat kebab) and tasty local pryaniki (gingerbread).
Yakutsk
A central mall with a 2nd-floor food court whipping up pizza, noodles, sushi, baked goods and bubble tea. There's also a grocery store on the basement…
Northern European Russia
This simple cafe serves dried fish and beer, as well as kalitki, local pies with either potato or meat fillings. Also offers soups and other dishes.
Novosibirsk
Trendy sister restaurant to Friends Cocktail Bar, which is in the same building. Specialises in grilled meat.
Volga Region
Saratov's massive central market is clean and well run, and an excellent source for stocking up on fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses and drinks.
Mineral Water Spas
Tired of shashlyk and khachapuri? Head to this modern, convivial cafe for good pizza, pasta, pastries, and a selection of tempting cakes.
Volgograd
This sprawling market, located near the corner of Sovetskaya ul and Komsomolskaya ul, stocks everything from Astrakhan watermelons to Volga fish.
Novosibirsk
Cheap and simple pelmeni (Russian-style ravioli) with meat and fish fillings in an equally modest cafe located beneath a sex shop.
Northern European Russia
Next to the train station, this 24/7 cafe is a decent enough place to wait for onward trains. Serves kalitki, a Karelian pastry.
Listvyanka
The Podlemore has porridge and oven-fresh pastries, but rather flummoxed serving staff. Early opening makes it a popular breakfast halt.
Russian Far East
A short stroll from the train station, Felicita is an attractive, Italian-themed cafe, with coffee, salads, light meals and pizzas.
Tuva
Once the place to get a cuppa joe in Kyzyl, Coffee Man is now just another cafe, but one with filling pancakes and an English menu.
Black Sea Coast
Just a few steps away from the seaside promenade, there is a festive, open-air joint serving up cold beer and sizzling shashlyk.
Irkutsk
Domino may tout itself as a pizza joint but has saved many an early-morning breakfast hunter with its bliny and strong coffee.
Mineral Water Spas
This small, pleasant cafe serves a mixture of European and Russian food including bliny, eggs and porridge for breakfast.
Altai
Behind a beautifully renovated old-town facade, this midrange cafe serves decent food and beer in a pleasant atmosphere.
Eastern Siberia
For picnickers and self-caterers, the self-service Stolichny Supermarket is the city centre’s best-stocked grocery.
Russian Far East
Across from the bus station, Mega has a top-floor food court with several cheap fast-food and canteen-style options.
Vladivostok
A convenient mall housing a well-stocked supermarket with a deli, and a top-floor food court with incredible views.
Western European Russia
This bright little creperie dishes up all manner of bliny and other light meals. Set breakfasts from R99.
Black Sea Coast
Self-caterers will find everything they need on the 1st floor of this chain supermarket near Gorki Gorod.
St Petersburg
A branch of this appealing contemporary-styled dumpling bar that's good for an inexpensive, filling meal.
Northern European Russia
Enormous, well-stocked supermarket. There's a very good food court in the shopping centre above it, too.
