Restaurants in Volga Region
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Kipyatok
This funky restaurant recreates the golden age of the Russian culinary arts – the early 20th century – when chefs put innovation ahead of ethnic tradition. Inventive dishes such as chicken fillet stuffed with pumpkin and pickles, or pork with cedar nuts and lemon skins are complemented by home-made kvas and mors.
reviewed
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U Palycha
This Samara institution is highly recommended for the Russian cuisine. There’s live Russian folk music every night.
reviewed
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Gorod Gorky
Irony outweighs nostalgia in this retro-Soviet place hidden in a courtyard off the main drag – look for the Музей СССР sign. Walk through a waxwork Leonid Brezhnev’s office into the dining room, littered with Soviet memorabilia and Beatles photos. The food is surprisingly good, and you can compare how much it costs today with how little it cost in 1974.
reviewed
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Bachelor’s Shelter
What a relief to escape the train station’s dingy neighbourhood by sneaking into this rabbit’s hole, which opens into a spotlessly white oasis of style with surrealist glass painting and coat-hangers shaped like wild garlic flowers. International food, including the inevitable sushi, is on the menu, and they’ve got the best latte this side of the Volga.
reviewed
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Akvatoria
For all its obsession with fishing, Astrakhan is short on places cooking fresh fish from the Volga. This floating restaurant is a pleasant exception. Choose between local specialities, such as sazan,bershik,vobla, catfish or pike caviar, then admire the Volga sunset view.
reviewed
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Restoratsia Pyatkin
This place makes you feel like a merchant back in his mansion after a great trading day at the fair. The menu is full of Volga specialities, such as pieces of crayfish and pike perch baked with cheese, or pike head stuffed with minced fish. They also brew the unusual apple kvas.
reviewed
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Fish Market
The lively fish market is worth a visit to pick up some snacks or to witness the vibrant trade in produce and fish. Try oblyoma, the local speciality, a salty fish complemented by beer (or vice versa). Head north of Kommunisticheskaya ul until it becomes Pokrovskaya pl.
reviewed
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La Vanile
Flower pots abound, water streams down a glass wall and a canary sings favourite French pop tunes. We tried salmon salad with quail eggs, mushroom profiteroles, and the psychedelic-coloured cherry and almond dessert. Chef Patrice Talbotte instantly became our hero of the day.
reviewed
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Corleone
A competent if pricey Italian restaurant with black and white photos on the walls (mostly featuring Mexico, for some reason) and shelves full of Soviet-era books. So don’t be surprised when they bring your bill tucked inside one of Lenin’s volumes.
reviewed
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Marlin
If you did not guess from the name, the fish tanks inside are a dead giveaway to this restaurant's speciality. The menu offers such delicacies as steamed lobster and sashimi, but we recommend the tried and true Russian favourites straight from the Volga.
reviewed
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Buratino
This is a quintessential Saratovian café–restaurant themed on ‘Red Count’ Alexei Tolstoi’s version of Pinocchio. Buratino also runs a summer terrace next to writer Konstantin Fedin’s monument on the embankment.
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Kayfe
A cosy café that tries to keep you inside for as long as possible by supplying everything you might want, be it a large meal or a light snack, tea or coffee, alcohol or kalian. Good for breakfasts, lunches or as a predawn chill-out.
reviewed
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Prichal
The friendly Azeri place by the cruise-ship pier does great kebabs and dolma and catfish baked in foil. We also enjoyed kofta with plum inside, but hesitated to try khan-dolma – liver, kidneys and heart in a film of fat.
reviewed
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Friendship
Calls itself an English bar, for some reason. Despite the misnomer, this upscale restaurant has a decent reputation for food. The atmosphere is a bit stuffy with its ruffled violet curtains, but there is live music most nights.
reviewed
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Sharlow Coffee House
A popular spot for those seeking a caffeine fix. The colourful ceiling and gigantic coffee-themed murals lend an artsy atmosphere to this cheery place. A few soups and sandwiches are available, in addition to the sweet stuff.
reviewed
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Kazan Askhane-Chai Yorty
This cheap eatery serves hearty Tatar food. Go for pastry – echpohmak with meat, bekken with cabbage, kystyby with mashed potatoes, or gubadiya with sweet rice and raisins.
reviewed
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Cafe in the Palace
Decorated with heavy drapes and rich colours, reminiscent of the namesake palace, this upscale café serves classic Russian fare. The space is small, but it still squeezes in a dance floor for the romantics.
reviewed
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Horseshoe Grill
If the weather drives you inside, try this place, which is along the naberezhnaya. The atmosphere is pleasant (although a bit dark in summer) and the menu is more varied than its outdoor counterparts.
reviewed
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Biblioteca
This café is upstairs from the Dirizhabl bookshop. Its decor includes a collection of kerosene lamps hanging from the ceiling and lots of bookshelves. Food is Italian standard (pasta R130).
reviewed
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Bochka
This dark and cosy basement place has a good selection of beer and European cuisine. It draws a business lunch crowd, but it’s more fun in the evening, when live music plays.
reviewed
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Yakitoria
This Moscow chain is spreading the love of sushi, with outlets popping up all over Russia. If you must eat raw fish in the middle of Russia in the middle of the night, you can.
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Yakitoria
Moscow's favourite sushi bar has gone national, with this popular outlet on Kazan's main square. Service is pleasant and efficient, turning over tables at this bustling place.
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Papa Vito
High ceilings and tall windows overlooking pl Slavy make this pleasant Italian restaurant a popular lunch spot. The menu features salads, pastas and a huge selection of pizza.
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La Cucaracha
Claims the best Mexican food east of Moscow. Although some dishes have funny Russian nuances, the guacamole does not disappoint. Live Latin music plays most nights.
reviewed
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Scharlau Coffee House
This friendly and competent café-cum-canteen is located inside a former chocolate factory built in the 19th century by a German whose name it proudly bears.
reviewed
