The best bars and cafés Russia

One of our favourite spots in the Gorki park, which is set up in the summer months with its multiple petanque courts, its deckchairs scattered on the surrounding lawn, its garden tables and its open wooden bar-kitchen. You can drink beers and mojitos, eat kebabs on the go, listen to the DJs who are often on the program. And of course, you can come and play the game of "cochonnet" (provided with its balls). A place where it is good to let the summer evenings go by.

Located in one of the most beautiful addresses in St. Petersburg, on the banks of the Nevsky Prospect and the Griboedov Canal, Café Singer, with its turn-of-the-century (past) atmosphere, is an ideal warm stop on your stroll through the center. Some of the tables offer a nice view of Our Lady of Kazan, just across the Nevsky. The café shares the second floor of the Singer building with Dom Knigi - literally "House of Books" - the city's largest bookstore. Elegance, sophistication and hospitality.

The concept of anticoffee was born in Moscow in 2010 with the Ziferblat chain and has been developing rapidly from all over the world. This concept is simple: the drinks are free and you only pay for the time you spend on site, the first hour being fixed and the rest of the time counted by the minute. In exchange for a modest price, you can enjoy a quiet and pleasant space (with sofas) to work or rest, access to wifi, bookcrossing area, board games, piano, printer and baristas at your service.

It's an institution in the city. Hidden in an inner courtyard, this independent coffee shop opened on the initiative of coffeeaficionados and has been a revolution in Moscow's coffee culture. Its signature drink is roasted locally according to secret recipes and brewed using V60 and Aeropress techniques (you order your coffee tightly, and black). In a creative and relaxed atmosphere, you can also pick from its cakes (or its selection of wines) while listening to the owners' vinyl collection. A must on your to-do list !

The shop is not easy to find, but if you have an adventurous spirit and a bit of patience, you will be rewarded with a delicious homemade cherry crumble (like all the pastries in the establishment), a hot, creamy chocolate or a tasty cup of coffee. Tchk is really microscopic, only 11 m², and looks like a doll's house. Inside, it is difficult to accommodate more than 3 people, but the café has a private courtyard.

Only for adults! Run by twin brothers Piotr and Pavel Levchuk, real bondage gurus, Moro is a thematic SM light bar. Don't worry, it's not a private club, despite the sometimes provocative disguises of the barmaids and the thematic evenings (bondage, pole dancing, etc.) that contribute to the atmosphere. Don't miss the Valentine's Day party if you're in town on February 14. Homemade nastoikis are good for morale and help to get rid of prejudices. Second address: Furshtatskaya 1.

We love this bar, which should be a must on your visit to the capital. It's a clandestine bar (perfectly legal, don't worry), set up in a disused bunker and whose entrance is not indicated from the street. Once you have ventured down a flight of stairs, you arrive at a set of subdued lights where the industrial aesthetic of the military complex is harmoniously preserved. It is here that we have found the best cocktails in Moscow, with or without alcohol. Finally, their DJ sets are monstrous.

Ah the Rock'n'Roll Bar... On weekends, during the week, at any time of the night, we go there, we go back. Many theme nights, always very rock, grungy decor, friendly clientele and staff, affordable prices. Excellent pop/rock music that never fails to make customers wiggle their hips in front of the bar (no real dance floor but lots of space). And you can order food all night long. Unless you are already very drunk, you will have no trouble getting past the (free) entrance.

Delivery of dishes at home.

One of Moscow's most popular coffees. So popular that many have been opened on its model in Moscow and other cities in Russia. But the Coffee Bean of Pokrovka is certainly the most pleasant with its lovely tree terrace. Ideal for a coffee break and pastry after relaxing long in the beautiful Quartier Prudy district. Do not miss chocolate foam, it is excellent.

A modern café, always crowded with strong music, but for coffee lovers, who as everyone knows is not the lighthouse drink of the Russians, so rarely find good. Enjoy delicious cappuccino with different scents, nuts, caramel, chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, or even banana. Hot drinks are at 199 R. You can find Crisp house at all corners of the street.

Entering this café not far from the Belorusskaya metro station, you feel as if you are entering the holy of holies of a design album or a life-size catalogue. Rest assured, rather than intimidating, this commitment to the light blue decor provides a highly convivial (and very instagramable) setting in which one quickly feels at ease. It's even better when you taste the superb coffees, teas, traditional drinks and cakes, crumbles or even the triangular sandwiches freshly prepared with a masterful hand by the staff.

On the road to the Propaganda club where you can go dancing at the end of the evening is the Pirogi café-club which is worth a stop. Cult in the 2010's, when conferences on social topics were held, it continues to offer a rich program that is now exclusively musical. Very popular at weekends, this establishment is particularly inexpensive, whether for a drink or a bite to eat a piece of their speciality Russian savoury pie. The Russian cuisine is simple but very good value for money and the atmosphere is good.

The city's legendary cocktail bar (yes, another, but not the last!). Among the house signatures: the Sour Dovlatov (in homage to the legendary Petersburg writer Sergei Dovlatov) and the Petersburg Sling for cocktails, the Petrol and Hannibal for shots. Small enough, the bar fills up quickly on weekends, so don't hesitate to book to have a good time in a friendly and trendy atmosphere. You can also have brunch here every day without exception from 2pm to 6pm.

An establishment with many faces. This nice and popular spot to have breakfast (from 9am) or your coffee with a hot croissant or other excellent homemade pastries, turns into a lively meeting place after 7pm with friends for an aperitif or in the evening. Cocktails are particularly noteworthy. No menu in the evening, but only bruschettas and appetizers (olives, nuts, dried tomatoes, artichokes).