What to eat en Russie? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Enjoying yourself en Russie

Timetable en Russie

The catering sector is only loosely regulated in Russia and most establishments stay open very late, often until midnight, even for classic restaurants. There is also the possibility of being served at any time of the day. On the other hand, the opening is also a little later, on the 11 o'clock shots. Thus, to drink a coffee in the morning, you will have to go to a dedicated coffee shop rather than the local bistro.

Budget & Tips en Russie

While the rouble signage can be misleading, prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg cafés and restaurants are now close to those in major French cities. So you have to be quite careful in your choice of establishment, because the quality is not always there. The best plan is the stolovayas (столовая), those Soviet canteens that resisted the change of regime and are still popular. They can be found everywhere, often under the name "Stolovaya No. 1". Without being unbelievable, the food is nutritious and above all, traditional: breaded chops po-Kievksi, gretchka, borsch, etc.. You can find all the classics of Russian popular cuisine at unbeatable prices in an authentic atmosphere.

What costs extra en Russie

The prices displayed on the menu are inclusive of tax, so no bad surprises on the bill! However, it is advisable to leave a tip.

The local way en Russie

Treat yourself at breakfast by stuffing yourself with syrniki, these delicious little doughnuts filled with fromage frais and lightly sprinkled with icing sugar, with red fruit jam.
Fill up on pirojki by stopping by the bakery or at a kiosk in the street or the subway. These small filled pasta (with cabbage, potatoes, meat, tvorog, jam) are the best remedy against the small peck!
Late at night, get a boost of energy by biting into a shawarma when leaving a nightclub. This is the cleanly post-Soviet version of the kebab or doner and the best can be found in shops run by Central Asian or Azerbaijani nationals. As working conditions are particularly difficult in Russia, they are almost automatically open at night.
And of course, throughout the day, you can stuff yourself with the unmistakable konfety, those sweets wrapped in colourful paper that are always served with tea and that you'll see lying around on display racks absolutely everywhere!

To be avoided en Russie

Of course, the American fast-food restaurants present on every street corner (prefer the Russian version, the Teremok)

The big à la carte restaurants far too diverse. It is a specialty of contemporary Russia: to meet the desire of the population elsewhere, many restaurants have made their menu a real trip around the world. You can find a mixture of borscht, sushi (Russian-style, with cottage cheese and ham), pizzas, hamburgers, etc.. Generally, this kind of establishment (very widespread) is to be avoided because the quality of the most "exotic" dishes is not really there.

Kids en Russie

They're more than welcome! Most restaurants have seating and menus designed especially for them.

Smokers en Russie

Smoking is not allowed inside restaurants in Russia, but it is still possible to smoke on the terraces. Restaurants that do not have an ashtray in front of their front door always have one. Exceptionally, some terraces may be declared non-smoking (such as those on Baumanna Street in Kazan), but this is very rare.

Tourist traps en Russie

In the most touristy areas, prices are affected and it is worth taking a little comparative tour before settling in. In general it is better to consider with caution anything that is too central, too bright and too colourful!

Take a break en Russie

Timetable en Russie

Gourmet shops (pastry shops, chocolate shops, etc.), cafés, are generally open every day, from morning until the end of the day if there is no catering service as such. Many pubs, brasseries (in the strict sense) and evening bars open their doors from 11am or midday, sometimes from 6pm, until late at night (1-2 hours on weekdays, until 4am or more on Friday-Saturday). Mondays and Tuesdays are frequent closing days (if there are any). Tip: Always check the schedule on Yandex.Maps or the establishment's Instagram account.

Budget & Tips en Russie

The price of gourmet breaks and alcoholic drinks depends on the house, but overall it is much lower than on the European continent. Russia is experiencing a feverish epidemic of craft beers! Good beer bars have flourished in the city centres and the pint there is generally cheaper than in Western Europe, especially considering the quality (count 250 RUB on average). Cocktails are also very fashionable and can be very successful if the establishment is of good quality. They will be a little cheaper than in Paris but not very cheap either. In any case, it's better to put the price on it: Russia, even in its most remote provinces, is full of very, very talented mixologists.

Age restrictions en Russie

The legal drinking age in Russia is 18. However, since many bars are also restaurants, parents can easily enter such establishments with their children, as long as they stick to juices and soft drinks. That said, this is not to be attempted in dance bars and nightclubs.

What's very local en Russie

For those who would like to quench their thirst without having to endure the busy atmosphere of the bar, small shops have sprung up all over Russia selling draught beer. The choice is very wide and don't forget the cider or the medovukha (fermented drink with honey), you can then take it home or to the hotel in a plastic bottle. In addition, they also sell zakouskis, so that you can recreate a Russian aperitif in the right way and with good products. Beware, in many Russian cities (including Moscow), it is forbidden to drink in the street

Smokers en Russie

As in restaurants, smoking is not allowed inside the bars, but you can smoke on the terrace or on the doorstep. In real bars (not family bars and restaurants), you may sometimes come across a smoking room.

Tourist traps en Russie

More than tourist traps, certain types of establishments should be avoided

Many chicha lounge bars have opened in recent years. Sometimes pleasant, they are however to be frequented with caution, because they often offer very high prices or "at the customer's head". The clientele is often very masculine and the atmosphere is not very safe for women.

Gentlemen's clubs and other striptease bars are also to be avoided. As with all places where prostitution takes place, you are never safe from a police raid. In addition to the very degrading conditions in which sex workers operate in Russia, a European tourist would in any case be at risk of being heavily ripped off or even racketed

Discount sports bars such as Killfish, where the beer is bland and the tiled walls are not really places to spend an evening in Russia. Smells of urine, dubious clientele, blinding neon lights... go on your way!