St Petersburg
Tucked into an unmarked courtyard off Gorokhovaya, this sprawling restaurant and drinking den is the go-to spot for creatively topped thin-crust pizzas…
Must-see restaurants in Russia
Zamoskvorechie
Georgian food has never been known to be fast, but this fledgling chain is bringing about a revolution. The stylishly designed little eatery has all the…
St Petersburg
The same team behind the celebrated Duo Gastrobar opened this clever dining space to showcase a creative menu of small plates. Rawness features in various…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
You might be distracted by the crazy wall paintings, which depict Darth Vader and Chewbacca mingling with characters from the Soviet comedy Prisoner of…
Moscow
This cosy place touts itself as ‘the most visited boutique’ in the flashy Stoleshnikov per, but instead of Armani clothes it celebrates arguably the most…
Moscow
This place opened in 1951 by order of the Ministry of Trade of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. Six decades later, the place has expanded its menu to…
St Petersburg
Set in the atmospheric Foundry building, Kuznya House has a creative menu that hopscotches around the globe, with tasty dishes like salmon ceviche with…
Presnya
If you want to impress your date, but you can’t afford the Cafe Pushkin for dinner, head next door to the konditerskaya (confectioner) for dessert. It’s…
St Petersburg
Always crowded and spilling out into the street, this Israel-themed eatery and drinking den lures hip and joyful people with its creative cocktails,…
Arbat & Khamovniki
An old market has been taken over by hipster foodies, who instantly filled the premises with little eateries serving Georgian, Uzbek, Italian, Israeli and…
St Petersburg
This popular, handsomely designed restaurant along the Fontanka River serves up quality ingredients from across Russia in innovative dishes like smoked…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
A carnivore stronghold, Yuzhane (which means 'the Southerners') gets its meat from the Kuban area in southern Russia, hence the name. The chef's…
Moscow
Suit-and-tie corporates from nearby business centres throng to this classy Hong Kong restaurant that celebrates Cantonese cuisine while also flirting with…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
Threadbare walls half-covered by corrugated sheets and cacti on the tables make this kiosk-like structure look like an army outpost in the Negev desert…
Moscow
Not a gas station, this small place defies geography by teleporting guests from Boulevard Ring to an oceanfront tavern. Displayed at the entrance, fish…
Zamoskvorechie
A baby of the recent Israeli food craze, this restaurant-cum-bar hides in an atmospheric vaulted cellar decorated with Judaic and Masonic symbols. The…
Zamoskvorechie
Let's take a walk on the wild side of the Moscow food scene. This place gets fresh supplies of fish and game from faraway corners of Siberia. Sea of Japan…
Moscow
There are plenty of pie spots around Moscow, but Nikolai wins your heart (and stomach) with its selection and the delicious crusts. Featuring a wide range…
Presnya
The queue often runs out the door, as loyal patrons wait their turn for the city’s best freshly baked breads, pastries and pies. It’s worth the wait,…
Moscow
Its darkened, scarlet-coloured interior makes this bistro look a bit like an oriental opium den, but it is in fact a carnivore temple, where patrons seem…
Presnya
As soon as you enter, the entire place lures you to go on a dessert rave. It offers a great variety of mouthwatering signature desserts, all-day…
Moscow
This quirky place, a cross between a corner shop and a hip falafel joint, also makes top-quality shawarma (grilled meat and salad wrapped in flat bread)…
St Petersburg
A beautifully designed bourgeois hideaway, Kvartira Kosti comprises a stylish restaurant with views over Nevsky pr, a small handsomely designed bar, and a…
St Petersburg
Inspired by the cookbook of Elena Molokhovets, the menu at 'Molokhovets' Dream' covers all the classics from borsch to beef stroganoff, as well as less…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
Come here to celebrate Odessa, affectionately called 'mama' by the residents of this port city. What mama cooks is a wild fusion of Jewish, Ukrainian and…
St Petersburg
Combining a love of bicycles and street food from around the globe, Kafe and Bikes serves up delicious cooking amid upbeat grooves, exposed bulbs and…
St Petersburg
Serving all the Russian favourites, this impressive restaurant’s decor combines traditional Zhostovo floral designs and Murano glass chandeliers amid…
St Petersburg
This welcoming, warmly lit space serves outstanding Georgian fare. The recipes aren't overly complicated and the fine ingredients speak for themselves in…
Krasnoyarsk
Siberian taiga, in the form of Stolby Nature Reserve, begins right outside this refined restaurant, entirely dedicated to the kind of food one can catch…
Ulan-Ude
This yurt complex in the Verkhnyaya Berezovka suburb is a great lunch spot after a visit to the Ethnographical Museum. Take a seat in the main tent and…
St Petersburg
This neighbourhood charmer is a fine anytime spot, with good coffees, teas and snacks, plus creative thoughtfully prepared dishes like kasha (porridge)…
Arbat & Khamovniki
When Voronezh first opened, foodies couldn't stop talking about how a classy new restaurant in the capital was named after a provincial town. Bold move by…
Arbat & Khamovniki
Views from panoramic windows are breathtaking, but the real stunner here is the menu – playfully inventive, yet singularly Muscovite, marrying cutting…
Moscow
You'll find a pleasant mix of post-industrial and theatrical in this dimly lit space, where low-hanging chandeliers and comfortable chairs make for a long…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
A brainchild of famous Georgian film director Rezo Gabriadze, this is much more than just another Caucasian restaurant. It faces the charming Aptekarsky…
Moscow
When speakeasy meets post-Soviet political economy, it may result in something like this little gem tucked into the Moldovan embassy in Moscow's heart…
St Petersburg
This historic restaurant, which has roots dating back to 1785, evokes a touch of royal grandeur with its elegantly set dining room, exquisite cuisine and…
St Petersburg
True to its name, this hip little place takes diners on a culinary journey around the globe, with a standout menu of Singapore-style noodles with seafood,…
St Petersburg
Headed by a chef from New Delhi, this attractive eatery, decorated with colourful metal lamps and strung with prayer flags, serves up some of the best…
Moscow
If you don't get the name, which means 'No Fish', the sides of beef hanging in the window should give you a clue. This is where you come to get your…
