Thirteen of the best Moscow restaurants: old classics and new twists on Slavic cuisine – at affordable prices
- From the Siberian delicacy of minced Sayan bear meat to traditional peasant food like dumplings with chilled vodka, it’s the ultimate Russian experience
- The diversity of cuisines from a country almost twice the size of the United States is what makes it so exciting
Moscow is known for many things but not as a place of fine restaurants – until now, that is.
Its restaurants have been improving for years, and the pace of change accelerated after economic sanctions in 2014 forced chefs to focus on local ingredients.
How sanctions, ironically, made Moscow a gourmet capital
The influx of foreign visitors for the 2018 soccer World Cup brought more English-language signage, meaning it’s easier to use the Metro, while there are also plenty of Ubers to get you around. There are more English-language menus, too, opening to visitors a range of destinations away from the hotels and international chains. Prices tend to be reasonable, though it’s not hard to splurge if you want.
You do not need to go for caviar, vodka and champagne on Red Square to have a good time – but if you want to, head away from the tourist areas.
How about a small Siberian restaurant serving minced meat of Sayan bear? Maybe some peasant food – turnovers and dumplings with chilled vodka – surrounded by Soviet nostalgia? A handful of Russian chefs are starting to gain international attention, and Moscow is now home to a couple of destination restaurants. But it’s the diversity of cuisines from a country almost twice the size of the United States that is most exciting. Here are some favourites from a non-stop week of eating around the Russian capital.
