Western Siberia
It won't just be the food you remember at this Georgian restaurant. The setting, in a bizarre cave-like basement filled with fake ponds and palm trees,…
Must-see restaurants in Russia
Moscow
Burger mania is sweeping the capital and Farsh is at the forefront, serving gourmet burgers and amazing French fries, as well as chicken wings, barbecue…
Western European Russia
Step into a 19th-century-style parlour at this sweet restaurant with its entrance on Studenchesky per. Dig into traditional favourites such as borsch,…
Moscow
The gyros craze is gradually spreading around Moscow, with Greek eateries opening here and there, but this place is outstanding. Simple as it is – meat…
St Petersburg
Among the many new burger joints sprouting up around SPB, stylish Bureau stands out for its quality offerings, with delicious toppings (carmelised onions,…
St Petersburg
This charming little cafe channels a Parisian vibe with black-and-white chequered floors and deco-like fixtures. Stop in for omelettes, croissants and…
Western European Russia
With its exposed light bulbs, bright industrial decor and warehouse feel, Kakhovka could fit in comfortably somewhere in Brooklyn. Chargrilled meats…
St Petersburg
Lightly battered and fried smelt (koryushka) is a St Petersburg speciality every April, but you can eat the small fish year-round at this relaxed,…
Sakhalin Island
This big and bustling Korean barbecue joint serves marinated meats in sets to be cooked at your table, though there's a full pictorial English menu for…
Vladivostok
This bustling but charming spot has one of the best locations in town, meaning that it's always busy and you may well have to wait for a table. The…
Moscow
This informal, French-themed cafe is furnished with picnic tables and park benches, evoking an idyllic outdoor setting. (There is outdoor seating too, but…
Black Sea Coast
Modus is a cool and casual pizzeria with a trendy vibe – but not too trendy. The warm, wooden interior is decked out with all manner of mismatched chairs,…
Western European Russia
Grafin bills itself as a steakhouse, and while it does a mean mignon (R1300), there's plenty more than beef on the menu. Classics such as pork, lamb and…
Sakhalin Island
With a picture menu, this popular Japanese spot serves up good but pricey sushi and sashimi platters, belly-filling tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), plus…
St Petersburg
This pleasant little place is good value and yet takes Italian cookery very seriously. Choose from a wide range of homemade pastas and top them with your…
Western European Russia
This medieval-themed basement restaurant stays on the right side of kitsch with huge wooden chairs, exposed brick, lamp lighting and wrought-iron light…
Western European Russia
This chic wine bar and restaurant is located in a crumbling historic building. Big windows, high ceilings and an open kitchen set the mood for eyeballing…
Moscow
On the 1st floor of the Nautilus shopping centre, this is a popular lunch spot for workers, shoppers and tourists recovering from Red Square. The interior…
Sakhalin Island
This friendly and cosy bar serves up some excellent food, and is popular with business travellers for whom the steep prices are of little concern. While…
St Petersburg
An excellent option for the late-night munchies, Kilikia is famous for its shashlyk, which is the real thing – deliciously seasoned, fresh meat served…
St Petersburg
When the east wing of the General Staff Building was turned into a new branch of the Hermitage, they at least made sure it had a decent place to eat …
Kamchatka
Despite its rather uptight and precious appearance, Excellence boasts the most interesting menu in Yelizovo, serving everything from soups, potato…
St Petersburg
We doubt there are cheaper places to eat this well on Nevsky – no wonder the lines are long at this self-serve canteen in a cheerfully decorated basement…
Moscow
Across the street and down the lane from the main entrance to Abramtsevo Estate Museum-Preserve, you'll find this friendly cafe with outdoor seating and a…
Western European Russia
In the basement of a residential building is this bright, sophisticated spot with exposed brick, Persian rugs and warm lighting. The menu features Middle…
Vladivostok
This delightful cafeteria (whose name bizarrely means 'don't sob') is about as far from your Russian stereotyped stolovaya (canteen) as it's possible to…
Russian Far East
With its Star of David light fittings and multiple types of hummus on the menu, Cafe Simkha is in it to win it as Birobidzhan's premier Jewish restaurant,…
St Petersburg
If you've been dreaming of a place with a delicious menu based on local produce – including deer, salmon and duck – and that's also a great spot for a…
St Petersburg
In a city awash with wannabe Japanese restaurants, this large and lively operation is one of the most authentic, with a wide range of sushi, sashimi,…
Black Sea Coast
Near the entrance to Sochi National Park, Salkhino is a suitably rustic Caucasian restaurant at the foot of Mt Bolsho Akhun. They do a popular khashlama …
St Petersburg
Whether you drop by for bakery treats and its homemade teas, or for a full meal of delicious and well-presented Russian classics, you can't go wrong at…
St Petersburg
Proving veggie, vegan and raw food can be inventive and tasty as well as wholesome, Ukrop (meaning dill) also makes an effort with its bright and…
Western European Russia
Part of the Dvor Podznoeva complex, this top-of-the-line restaurant occupies a re-created colourful interior of a 17th-century merchant's home. It serves…
Western European Russia
Hidden away in a quiet courtyard with an outdoor terrace, La Provincia is a cosy restaurant with comfy armchairs and lace-covered lamps. The menu offers…
Russian Far East
Low lit and even a little bit stylish, SharLot Cafe has numerous menus, though sadly none of them are currently in English. However, many of them come…
St Petersburg
Specialising in Adzhika cuisine from the Caucasus, this stylish place offers 10 types of khachapuri, the cheesy dough pies that are a bit like a thick…
St Petersburg
Burgers, curry, borsch and burritos all get a look in on this stylish and relaxed restaurant's menu. The horseshoe bar and the inventive cocktail and…
Black Sea Coast
Just up the road from Utomlyonnye Solntsem in Krasnaya Polyana village, Trikoni is an old-fashioned country inn with a menu full of Russian and Italian…
Northern European Russia
This Argentinian-style restaurant provides top-notch dining for the discerning carnivore. An exemplary steak menu that ranges from tender veal to Kobe rib…
St Petersburg
Art deco fittings, a beautiful glass and marble counter and upholstered benches you could almost fall asleep on are a good start. The menu is eccentric…
