10 BEST Russian cuisine restaurants in Moscow

1. ‘Cafe Pushkin’

One of Moscow's most famous restaurants has been serving Russian cuisine as it was presented in noble estates for over 20 years. The lavish, palace-style interiors contribute to this unique atmosphere.

Be sure to try the vinaigrette salad with Baltic sprats, pies with various fillings, ‘shchi’ cabbage soup that has been simmered for a day, ‘Pozharsky’ cutlets and the cafe’s signature desserts (by the way, Pushkin's separate confectionery is located next door).

• Tverskoy Boulevard, 26A
• Average bill: 3,500-4,500 rubles (approx. $40-$50)
• cafe-pushkin.ru

2. ‘Beluga’

On the second floor of the National Hotel, you can dine lavishly on old Russian cuisine and sample more than ten (!) types of caviar. The interior features plenty of crystal and panels with girls in ‘kokoshnik’ headwear, with the Kremlin itself seen outside the window.

Try the ‘pelmeni’ dumplings with Volga River pike, sturgeon fish soup, ‘kulebyaka’ fish pie, as well as other fish dishes and, of course, the caviar! And if you want to experience true luxury, order the ‘Breakfast of a Burlak’ with one kilogram (!) of black caviar for a mere 77,000 rubles (~$967)!

• Mokhovaya Street, 15/1, building 1
• Average bill: 8,000–11,000 rubles (~$90-$120)
• belugamoscow.ru

3. ‘Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago’

Right below the ‘Beluga’ restaurant, on the National Hotel's first floor, you are invited to a 24/7 immersion into Russian and Soviet cuisine. The elegant interior features avant-garde shades and guests are greeted by works by Russian artists: Kazimir Malevich, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin and Alexander Deineka, to name a few. The accent red chairs echo the same colored Kremlin walls, which are also visible outside the window.

Be sure to try the pickled dishes: sauerkraut, cucumbers and mushrooms, as well as ‘blini’ pancakes, pike cutlets and traditional pies. The place is also famous for its late-night snacks paired with strong drinks and, additionally, for its extensive menu of Russian-style breakfasts (featuring curd cheese, a wide selection of porridges, ‘syrniki’ from cottage cheese and Soviet classics like sunny side up fried eggs).

• Mokhovaya Street, 15/1, building 1, Moscow
• Average bill: 2,500–3,000 rubles (~$30-$35)
• drzhivago.ru

4. ‘White Rabbit’

This restaurant with a panoramic view of Moscow is located on the 16th floor of Smolensky Passazh. ‘White Rabbit’ has received a Michelin star and has repeatedly been included in ‘The World's 50 Best Restaurants’ ranking, while its head chef, Vladimir Mukhin, has been awarded numerous international prizes.

‘White Rabbit’ offers diners a modern interpretation of Russian cuisine, with an emphasis on seasonal products and thoughtful combinations. Pay special attention to the chef's special tasting menus. Also, be sure to try the white mushrooms and Kamchatka crab in various preparations, ‘okroshka’ cold soup with brine, borsch and incredible desserts

• Smolenskaya Square, 3
• Average bill: 9000-10000 rubles (~$100-$120)
• whiterabbitmoscow.ru

5. ‘Matryoshka’

This trendy spot with Boris Kustodiev’s ‘Merchant's Wife at Tea’ on its logo calls itself a “guide to the world of Russian cuisine”. There, you'll find splendid wood and wrought iron interiors, as well as an incredible view of the Moskva River.

The menu features all the national dishes, from ‘kholodets’ (jellied meat) and ‘zalivnoye’ (aspic) to Soviet classics like ‘Mimosa’ salad or ‘Shuba’ (herring under a fur coat salad). Be sure to try the assortment of lightly salted Siberian fish and milk mushrooms in sour cream, because this truly is a rare find!

• Kutuzovsky Prospekt, 2/1, building 6
• Average bill: 3,000 rubles (~$35)
• matryoshka-rest.ru

6. ‘Savva’

This elegant fine-dining restaurant is located in the Metropol Hotel opposite the Bolshoi Theater and is named after Savva Mamontov, a famous art patron and founder of the hotel. The restaurant regularly hosts culinary festivals, tastings and exclusive evenings by top chefs.

Try cheeses from Russian farmers, ‘salo’ (cured fat) and traditional appetizers, sorrel soup, ‘svekolnik’ beetroot soup, positions from the grill menu, as well as an unusual interpretation of ‘Napoleon’ cake!

• Teatralny Proyezd, 2
• Average bill: 5,000 rubles (~$60)
• savvarest.ru

7. ‘CDL’ (Central House of Writers)

This is a place for those who love spiritual nourishment as much as physical sustenance! The restaurant of the Central House of Writers has hosted such famous guests as poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and the interior resembles a modernist salon from the early 20th century.

Themed literary dinners and meetings are regularly held there. Among the dishes, the restaurant itself recommends hits such as zander and salmon aspic, venison ‘pelmeni’ dumplings, ‘Pozharsky’ cutlets, the famous ‘Anna Pavlova’ dessert and much more!

• Povarskaya Street, 50/53, building 1
• Average bill: from 2,500 rubles (~$30)
• restcdl.ru

8. ‘Russian Pub’

The founder of the ‘Russian Pub’ was inspired by the idea of bringing the culture of the Russian feast and table gatherings back to modern life. The core of the bar menu is craft ‘nalivkas’ (infused spirits) and signature cocktails. And all this is necessarily paired with the right snacks – which are offered at laughably low prices for central Moscow.

Try the sandwiches, herring with potatoes, garlic croutons and pickles, mini ‘chebureki’ fried meat pies, as well as other traditional Russian-style snacks. ‘Pelmeni’ dumplings and ‘borsch’ are also available, as is the nostalgic ‘chocolate sausage’ dessert from Soviet childhood!

• Tverskoy Boulevard, 10, building 1
• Average bill: from 1,500 rubles (~$15-$20)
• ruspub.ru

9. ‘MU-MU’

Salad, soup, main course and ‘kompot’ berry drink – that’s how Russian people usually have for lunch. This chain of fast-food cafes serves straightforward, almost homestyle Russian cuisine. There are affordable business lunches in the Soviet style and beloved breakfasts with syrniki, omelets and oat porridge.

Find the location nearest to you and try ‘shchi’ cabbage soup, ‘ukha’ fish soup, chicken noodle soup, blini, schnitzels, meat ‘a la French’, buckwheat and a wide variety of other dishes that Russians eat every day.

• More than 10 locations throughout Moscow and in airports
• Average bill: from 500 rubles (~$6)
• cafemumu.ru

10. ‘Teremok’

Another legendary chain that once even conquered New York City. Guests are greeted with the old-fashioned Russian address as ‘sudar’ (‘sir’) or ‘sudarynya’ (‘madam’). The main dish is ‘blini’ pancakes with a wide variety of fillings (and even with the ‘Dubai chocolate’).

Besides ‘blini’, try their soups, vinaigrette salad, stewed cabbage with cutlets, house-made fruit drinks and, a rarity, the so-called ‘Guriev’ porridge!

• More than 100 locations in Moscow and in the suburbs, both at food courts and standalone cafes
• Average bill: from 300 rubles (~$3)
• teremok.ru