St Petersburg Restaurants

  1. Black Cat, White Cat

    This super-sleek place wins plaudits for contemporary design: exposed brick walls are hung with posters, light streams in through huge bay windows, and chiffon sheets hang between the tables for privacy. The place is named after the Serbian film Black Cat, White Cat . The menu features an eclectic mix of grilled meats, fresh salads and homemade soups, perhaps with a Serbian twist, though it's hard to pinpoint.

    Read more about Black Cat, White Cat

  2. New Island

    The list of diners on this smartest of boat restaurants is dizzying - George W Bush, Jacques Chirac and the Queen of Spain have all dined here, while Putin is a regular. These heavies come for the sumptuous décor and beautifully presented international menu, not to mention the fantastic city views from the two-hour cruise. Reservations required.

    Read more about New Island

  3. Sunduk

    Calling itself an 'art café', Sunduk is tucked into a tiny basement, its two rooms crowded with mismatched furniture, musical instruments, carefully posed mannequins and lots of other junk (or 'art') that creates a bohemian atmosphere. The European menu has a good selection of meat and fish, with plenty of Russian classics, all of which is pretty tasty. Live music nightly - see.

    Read more about Sunduk

  4. The Other Side

    Calling itself a 'gastro bar and refuge', this newish place is attracting fans for its friendly atmosphere, its innovative, international menu and its schedule of live music (see for details). Take a seat on the patio on the pleasant pedestrian-only street or head into the cosy interior. The diverse menu hits just about every continent, with dishes ranging from rack of lamb served on a bed of couscous to grilled salmon on soba noodles.

    Read more about The Other Side