St Petersburg
This sparkling, friendly and capacious offering right on the Haymarket is a major draw for diners at all hours. Like many other Ginza restaurants, Khochu…
Must-see restaurants in Russia
Novosibirsk
You could almost imagine this cute little trattoria has been magically transported straight from a honey-coloured Tuscany village to big old Novosibirsk…
St Petersburg
You'll find the in-house cafe of the super cool Loft Project ETAGI on the 3rd floor (go through the courtyard). The centrepiece here is a fantastic summer…
St Petersburg
The authentic (read: no frills) Korean restaurant is a great find in this quiet residential neighbourhood. There's a wide-ranging, pictorial menu that…
Russian Far East
A local institution, Shinok Pervach is considered by locals to be the best restaurant in town. It serves up tasty grilled fish, roast meats and zingy…
St Petersburg
Baku's ornate decor – tiled walls, arched doorways and throw pillows – whisks you to old Azerbaijan. Try Azeri shashlyk (kebabs), traditional plov (rice…
St Petersburg
This self-termed 'art cafe' is tucked into a tiny basement, its two rooms crowded with mismatched furniture, musical instruments, carefully posed…
Tuva
If your palate craves gastronomic adventure, head to this oversize Mongolian yurt in the market area for some authentic Tuvan cooking. Khoorgan khoy edi…
Arbat & Khamovniki
This fantastical restaurant next to the Tsereteli Gallery lives up to its name, which means 'Artist Gallery'. The huge, light-filled atrium is wallpapered…
St Petersburg
A beloved institution, and decidedly upscale as far as Georgian restaurants go, Tbiliso has a great interior with tiled tables and big booths, made more…
St Petersburg
A major draw for vegetarians and vegans, Jiva whips up delicious cruelty-free burgers, in eight varieties (including lentil, chickpea, spinach and red…
Northern European Russia
The decor at Totma's best restaurant is rustic folklore, complete with embroidered tablecloths, national dress and a random stuffed seagull. The menu runs…
St Petersburg
This gastrobar's attractive industrial interior with wooden tables, the friendly waiters and the discrete background music create a perfect setting for…
Veliky Novgorod
Nudging the kremlin complex, this cavernous place evokes ye olde Novgorod, with faux frescoes on the ceiling and artefacts on the walls. The menu is heavy…
The Urals
Designed to depict a typical Russian dacha (summer countryhouse), Pelmennya No 2 is where the masses come for pelmeni (Russian-style dumplings stuffed…
Russian Caucasus
This bright cafe has big armchairs and even bigger windows overlooking Krasnaya ul. The menu is pretty wide-ranging – soups, sandwiches, pelmeni (Russian…
Western European Russia
The perfect lunch or dinner break after exploring the kremlin, this tavern is a comfy spot to feast on traditional Georgian cuisine – especially the…
Khabarovsk
Despite its fairly unhelpful location in a rather sterile business centre, Satsivi is fiercely popular and puts on a good show of being a traditional…
St Petersburg
When the weather sours, retreat to this snug, casual spot just west of Nikolsky Cathedral for warming bowls of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) topped with…
Golden Ring
What claims to be a ‘medieval Russian’ menu is essentially a fresh and intelligent take on Russian cuisine as it was before mayo and potatoes. Mushrooms,…
Ufa
This branch of the Pishka chain serves classic Bashkir dishes such as belish (meat pie) and tukmas (chicken broth). Also try one of the pastries from the…
St Petersburg
Sleek and buzzing, Terrassa is centred on its namesake terrace, which boasts unbelievable views (open only in warmer months). Inside you can watch the…
Presnya
Everything at Ugolyok is perfectly pleasing to the eye, from the slick postindustrial interior, to the funky but fine tableware, to the tantalising food…
Golden Ring
A colourful interior of traditional tiles puts this cheap and cheerful cafe a cut above. The menu features tasty classics such as vareniki (dumplings),…
St Petersburg
With vines hanging from the ceiling to evoke the Caucasian countryside, this popular and reliable restaurant dishes up Georgian favourites such as hearty…
Veliky Novgorod
While the idea of an old merchant's ship turned restaurant on the river might seem a little kitsch, Na Korme offers great views of the kremlin dished up…
Veliky Novgorod
Japanese, Uzbek and Russian cuisine, together at last! If miso soup, chicken pilaf and Russian salad combos float your boat, this place – with a decor…
Sergiev Posad
The dining room is decorated like a classic library (shelves of old books, dark-leather couch seating and vintage Russian posters) at this satisfying…
Russian Caucasus
Squaddies from the nearby military base favour this place for its sizzling platters of beef and potatoes covered in melted cheese and enormous pizzas (big…
The Urals
Two brothers opened this cafe in 2016, wanting to create a space where customers could enjoy healthy clean food with a dose of fun. Food options include…
Yakutsk
Though the atmosphere is lacking, Tygyn Darkhan is the place to score Sakha specialities in the centre. Try indigirka (frozen raw chyr and onions – a bit…
St Petersburg
A decent-value, modern and stylish cafe just moments from St Isaac's Cathedral, Dekabrist sounds like it might be too good to be true. The menu is simple…
Presnya
Tucked into the corner of the Tryokhgornaya complex, this Soviet-style throwback is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch for local workers. Smiling,…
St Petersburg
Be transported to contemporary Seoul at this delightful cafe serving up a tantalising menu of Korean classics such as bibimbap (rice with vegetables and…
Around St Petersburg
What the name says. A local restaurateur's hobby, this tiny joint decorated with portraits of Russian primes ministers since 1991 serves nothing but the…
St Petersburg
Convenient branch of the city’s best-value French bistro-cafe, providing a relaxed Parisienne atmosphere to enjoy decent coffee, fresh bakes and lights…
Northern European Russia
Though the diners boogieing down to Russian pop on the dance floor take away from the Parisian sophistication that Boulevard's wall prints intend to…
St Petersburg
This chain of cafeteria-style restaurants has a popular outlet on Vasilyevsky Island's main commercial strip. With appealing, light-bathed dining areas, a…
Kaliningrad
Reservations are absolutely essential at this bustling English-pub-themed spot in a quiet residential neighbourhood west of the centre. The appeal is…
Golden Ring
Head upstairs to sink into a comfy chair at this airy, modern cafe with a chilled-out vibe. Options include Italian dishes, salads, Russian vareniki …
