162
Where to Eat in Moscow and
St Petersburg
Visitors to Moscow and St Petersburg will have little
trouble finding a place to match both appetite and bud-
get. All the major cuisines are repre sented, including
Russian, European and Asian, as well as regional dishes
from Georgia, Armenia and other former Soviet republics.
MOSCOW
Maki Café © \
Glinishchevskiy pereulok 3 Tel (495) 692 9731 Map F1
Maki Café offers an eclectic menu and a tasteful minimalist interior of exposed concrete and polished metal.
Guests can enjoy Japanese, French, Italian and Russian dishes. Located on a quiet street just off Tverskaya ulitsa,
the restaurant is reasonably priced and the food here is of good quality. Booking is recommended at weekends.
Rus’ : f \
Ulitsa Arbat 12 Tel (495) 691 9626 Map B3
Built in the style of a log cabin, the Rus’ has a traditional Russian menu including such delicacies as solyanka
(fish soup) and black caviar. Although it lacks a non-smoking area, the ventilator is effective. The Rus’ is equally
popular with Russian politicians and celebrities.
Champagne Café : f ̊ © \
Bolshaya Nikitskaya ulitsa 12 Tel (495) 629 5325 Map F1
Set in Venetian-style halls with stained-glass windows, the Champagne Café offers an extensive list of wines
and champagnes, as well as a fusion menu of Italian, French and other European dishes, including well-prepared
seafood. There is live music on Thursdays and Fridays.
Cutty Sark © ̊ \\
Novinskiy bulvar 12 Tel (495) 202 1312 Map F1
Located fairly close to the New Arbat, Cutty Sark is a seafood restaurant designed to resemble an ocean-going yacht.
It serves fresh seafood from all over the world, and has separate sushi and oyster bars and a good selection of wines.
The service is attentive, and there is a special VIP cigar room.
Polo Club : ̊ \\
Ulitsa Petrovka 11/20 Tel (495) 937 1024 Map F1
Conveniently located for the Kremlin (see pp124–5) and Red Square (see p128), the Polo Club is a steak house
with an enviable reputation. Situated on the second floor of the Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel, it has a good sea-
food menu and a large selection of desserts as well. The international wine list is extensive and well chosen.
Simple Pleasures : f © \\
Ulitsa Sretenka 22/1 Tel (495) 607 1521 Map F1
Simple Pleasures has elegant minimalist decor, including a room with an open fireplace. Its eclectic menu ranges
from Mediterranean to South American, taking in French and Spanish cuisine along the way. There is an exhaustive,
if unspectacular, wine list, and live music in the evenings – usually unobtrusive blues.
Godunov f © ̊ \\
Teatralnaya ploshchad 5 Tel (495) 698 4480 Map F1
Once part of the Zaikonospassky Monastery near the Kremlin, and built under the rule of Boris Godunov (regent of
Russia from 1584–98), the Godunov serves excellent borscht and other rich soups, delicious game, pirozhki (meat
pies) and a good choice of vegetarian main dishes. There is traditional Russian entertainment in the evenings.
Blue Elephant : © ̊ \\\
Novinskiy Bulvar 31 Tel (495) 580 7756 Map F1
Thai food is not abundant in Moscow, but the Blue Elephant, an exclusive international chain, is certainly the best
option in the city. Prices are high for even the set menu and vegetarian options. Soups and appetizers are excellent
and service is good.
Central House of Writers f © ̊ \\\
Povarskaya ulitsa 50 Tel (495) 691 1515 Map F1
This former exclusive Soviet writers’ haunt features carved-oak decor, fireplaces, piano entertainment and a
medley of delicious Russian and European dishes prepared by Russian and Italian chefs. The restaurant has an
atmosphere unlike any other and is well worth a visit, especially for devotees of Russian literature.
PRICE CATEGORIES
Based on the price per person of a
three-course meal with half a bottle of
wine, includ ing cover charge, service
and tax. Prices for St Petersburg are
within brackets.
\ under $45 (under $25)
\\ $45–$55 ($25–$40)
\\\ $55–$65 ($40–$60)
\\\\ $65–$75 ($60–$80)
\\\\\ over $75 (over $80)MOSCOW AND ST PETERSBURGMap References see map of Moscow pp122–3 and St Petersburg pp138–9