Nowadays St. Petersburg has hundreds of new cafes and restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine.

All bars, cafes and restaurants bill guests and take payment in roubles only - though more tourist-oriented places may list prices on their menus in dollars or so-called “Conditional Units” (using the Cyrillic abbreviation OA), which amounts to the same thing. In that case, the total is converted into roubles at the current central bank rate or the rate of exchange advertised on the premises (which may be less favourable). It’s often (though not invariable) true that a menu in dollars is an indication that the establishment is overpriced by local standards.

Credit cards are accepted by most top-range or foreign-managed restaurants. (Amex - American Express, DC - Diners Club, MC - Mastercard, EC - Eurocard, JCB - Japanese Credit Bank). As for paying with travellers’ cheques, forget it.

Menus are usually written in Russian only, although more and more places offer a short English version. But beware, because the Russian menu is usually typed up every day, whereas the English version will give only a general idea of what might be available. In such cases, you’d probably be better off asking what they recommend (shto-by vy porekomendovaly?), which can elicit some surprisingly frank replies.

 

Prices

Cheap - under $10

Inexpensive - $10 - 20

Moderate - $20 - 40

Expensive - $40 - 80

Very expensive over - $80

In a café - the cost of a snack or light meal plus a non-alcoholic drink (although in many of them you can have a full meal); for restaurants, it includes a state, main course and a desert, but no alcohol, which in many restaurants can easily double your bill.

 

A FOOD AND DRINK GLOSSARY

 

 

Russian and European Cuisine

Austeria

This nautically themed restaurant in a former officers’ mess hall within the fortress walls, with superb Dutch interior of 18th century and live music in the evenings. Restaurant serves Old Russian cuisine and seating 80 people. Wide selection of food and drink. Major credit cards except AE. Open daily noon - midnight. Moderate prices.

Ioannovsky Ravelin, Peter and Paul Fortress.

Tel: +7 (812) 230 03 69

 

Da Vinci

St. Petersburg

A Russian restaurant in authentic St. Petersburg style, located in one of the most beautiful places, opposite the Church on the Spilled Blood. This ritzy Russian restaurant’s menu includes wonderful seafood and a great beef stroganoff. A great wine list and irreproachable service. After 8pm live music and dancing begins. Russian-style variety show starts at 9pm. Major credit cards. Open daily noon-2am.

5 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova.

Tel: +7 (812) 314 49 47

 

Le Borshch

The interior resembles a spacious and modern living room and the cuisine is not your average Russian, it's Light Russian instead. This basically means Russian styled food with an injection of other cuisines like French and Japanese to liven things up, dishes like borshch with prunes and beetroot carpaccio with goats cheese. Service was attentive and prices reasonable, but we have to ask why is the music so loud you have to shout just to be heard?

Nab. reky Fontanky 11
Tel. 314 00 56

 

Fedor Dostoevsky

Atmosphere o traditions in interior and cuisine. Old Russian cuisine in the French style. Live music every evening from 8:30 pm. Major credit cards. Always ate your disposal at day and night.

9 Vladimirsky Pr.

Tel: +7 (812) 572 22 29

 

Fusion

Aquarel

Restaurant on a floating platform. The restaurants serves New Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Extensive list of exclusive wines. The restaurant is famous for its events: fashion shows, DJ’S and pop concerts. Major credit cards. Open daily noon till last guest.

14a Dobrolyubova Pr.

Tel: + 7 (812) 320 86 00

 

German

Paulaner

The largest Paulaner restaurant in Europe, with its own brewery. Try non-filtered types of beer, which are only sold in the Paulaner Restaurant. The restaurant offers appetizing German, Austrian and Swiss dishes. Major credit cards. Open daily from noon to 1am.

Pulkovskaya Hotel, 1 Pl. Pobedy.

Tel: + 7 (812) 740 39 32

 

Indian

Tandoori Nights

A new Indian restaurant in London style. Most furnishings are imported directly from India. The restaurant serves dishes from different parts of India. Try the best selling Indian beer Cobra, which is imported exclusively by the Tandoori Nights. Open 12:00 - 24:00.

4 Voznesensky Pr.

Tel: +7 (812) 312 87 72

 

Italian

La Strada

Well-established restaurant with a quick and friendly staff. Unique interior in the style o an Italian street with a Florentine balcony. Salad bar, home-made pasta, pizza. There is also a children’s nursery and a 20% discount on take-away orders. VISA, MasterCard, Union accepted. Open daily from 12:00 - 23:00.

27 Bolshaya Konyushennaya

Tel: + & (812) 312 47 00

 

Chinese

Aquarium

Authentic Asiatic décor. Southern Chinese cuisine, exotic desserts, toning dishes. Major credit cards except AE. Open daily noon - 2am.

10 Kamennoostrovsky Pr.

Tel: + 7 (812) 326 82 86

 

Indonesian

Sukawati

This restaurant is a fantastic diversion from the usual Asian standards. Superior Indonesian cuisine. Sate, Dudush, Lumpia, Nasi Goreng are good choices. Major credit cards. Open daily noon - 5am.

8 Kazanskaya Ul.

Tel: + 7 (812) 312 05 40

 

Mexican

Tres Amigos

Latin American cuisine. Mexican, Peruvian, Colombian and Ecuadorian dishes. Children’s menu. Supervised kid’s room. Latin dance show (Fri and Sun nights). Live music. The staff are cheerful and friendly. Credit cards: V, MC. Open daily noon until the last customer leaves.

25 Rubinshteyna Ul.

Tel: + 7 (812) 340 26 85

 

Spanish

Madridsky Dvor

Luxurious Spanish restaurant. Medieval Spanish-style interior. Authentic Spanish and other European cuisine. Live music in the evenings. Credit cards: V, MC. Open daily noon - last guest.

26 Suvorovsky Pr.

Tel: + 7 (812) 271 20 94

 

Vegetarian

Idiot

Great Russian vegetarian cuisine. Comfortable antique furniture. Décor in the style of the early 20th century and the 1950s. Jazz. Open daily 11am - 1am.

82 Nab. Reki Moiki.

Tel: + 7 (812) 315 16 75

 

French

Le Francais

A French chef produces fine bistro cuisine from Russian ingredients such as sturgeon and crayfish, accompanied by French cheeses and wines, and served with panache. Pianist Mon - Fri: 8pm - 1am. Amex, VISA, MC, DC, EC. Open daily 11am - 1am.

20 Galernaya Ul.

Tel: +7 (812) 315 24 65

 

Japanese

Sakura

Mouthwatering suhi, nabe, seafood and meat soups, prepared by a Japanese chef and served by kimono-clad waitresses in Shoji-screened rooms. Arguably the best Japanese restaurant in the city. VISA, MC. Open daily noon - 11pm. Very expensive.

10/12 Nab. Kanala griboedova.

Tel: + 7 (812) 315 94 74

 

Cafes

De Fe

80 varieties of tea and 40 varieties of coffee. Fine desserts. Fri - Sat 9pm - 1am DJs perform and cocktail parties are held. Open daily 10am - 4am.

7 Karavannaya Ul.

Tel: + 7 (812) 571 55 72

6 Malaya Morskaya Ul.

Tel: + 7 (812) 314 08 62

 

Abrikosov

The mirrors on the walls and the wooden paneling. Abrikosov has a wide range of tea, good coffee and delicious pies and pancakes. Open Mon - Fri 9am - midnight. Sat, Sun 9am - till last client.

40 Nevsky Pr.

Tel: +7 (812) 717 33 43

 

Bars & Pubs

James Cook

A stylish pub and cozy coffee house. European breakfast till 12:30. 14 brands of beer. Live music. Credit cards: VISA, MC, MAESTRO. Open: from 9am, pub noon until the last guest.

2 Shvedsky Per.

Tel: + 7 (812) 312 32 00

 

The Office

British pub seating 120 people. European cuisine. Many beers are available. Over 40 brands of whisky. The Office has a great selection of cocktails. Music: blues and jazz. Credit Cards: MC, VISA, VE, MAESTRO. Open noon - 2am. Fri, Sat noon - 3am.

5 Kazanskaya Pl.

Tel: + 7 (812) 571 54 28