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The 8 Best Restaurants in Moscow

From the traditional to the modern, fine dining destinations in Moscow celebrate the best that Russian cuisine has to offer.

By Elite Traveler

With many of the best restaurants in Moscow also doubling as bars and clubs, the atmosphere is nearly always one step away from a party, and many of the city’s elite come dressed to impress. Of course, there are still many elegant and family friendly restaurants for those who prefer a quieter evening. With such a large selection available, Elite Traveler has compiled a suitable list for diners of all persuasions.

Café Pushkin

Designed to recreate the feel of a 19th century aristocrat’s house, Café Pushkin has become one of the most popular restaurants in Moscow, thanks to the quality of its food, impeccable service and the excellent vodka selection. The atmosphere of pre-Revolution Russia is delightfully charming, from the flowery script of the menu to aristocratic country house décor. Pushkin is the ideal destination if you want to be treated like Russian nobility and dine like a Tsar – but book ahead, the restaurant’s popularity requires reservation well in advance.

cafe-pushkin.ru

Lavishly decked out with chandeliers and hand-painted furniture, the menu selection may come as a surprise to first-time guests, with options ranging from Pi Pa duck with melon and truffle to beefsteak with foie gras. Turandot puts a French spin on pan-Asian cuisine, and does so with incredible style and boldness. Whilst the interior décor is certainly to be marvelled at, it is the thoughtfully conceptualized and perfectly executed menu options that make for an incredible dining experience.

turandot-palace.ru

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When the Ginza Project, a company that owns some of the finest restaurants in Moscow, announced that they would be opening a restaurant on the 29th floor of Radisson Royal Hotel, the excitement and anticipation was palpable.

The company has a reputation for the high quality of its restaurants that grace the streets of the capital, and Buono is no exception. The views from Buono are unashamedly spectacular, while the décor is elegant, with soft creams complementing the fine views on offer. The food is classical Italian; Chef William Lamberti is well known throughout Europe and has created an excellent menu. It’s always best to book ahead at Buono, as the window seats that offer the finest views over the city are quickly taken.

buonomoscow.ru

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Italian for ‘small’, Piccolino is a cozy, homely restaurant – something of a rarity in Moscow.

Serving typical Italian food, the family friendly establishment is laid back, but this doesn’t compromise the quality of the food: good, hearty portions that are exceptionally tasty. The interior of Piccolino has been designed to replicate that of a large country house, and the décor is entirely fitting with the atmosphere of the restaurant. In a city where many of the establishments value the names of their guests over the quality of their dishes, Piccolino is the place to come if your preference is quality of food rather than famous faces.

Twin Gardens

With two tasting menus and an à la carte option, the Twin Gardens at the heart of Moscow caters to any palette. With the restaurant concept based on the symbiosis of science and nature, their Vegetables set menu explores all manner of produce from seedling to peeling, delicately plated in a tasteful homage to the natural life cycle of wild plants and flowers. For more adventurous types, their Rediscover Russia menu offers a culinary tour of various local specialties found in provinces across the vast continent. They also have a wide selection of Russian wines.

twinsgarden.ru

Located in an elegant 19th century mansion, CDL is one of the most sophisticated restaurants in Moscow.

The interior has been gorgeously designed to recreate the grandeur of the Silver Age of Russian culture, with antique balustrades and bas-reliefs throughout the Oak Hall main room. The staircase in the Oak Hall is a particular masterpiece; it was built without a single nail or screw. The fireplace is equally impressive and has been used as a meeting room by President Dmitry Medvedev. Guests can also hire additional rooms such as the Cigar Room and the Cabinet Room. A menu of authentic Russian cuisine has been created by top chef Alexander Popov, with organic dishes bursting with flavor and a splendor to match the opulent surroundings. With so much luxury and class on display, it’s little wonder that former US Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush have chosen to dine here. Situated in the center of the city between Bolshaya Nikitskaya 53 and Povarskaya Ulitsa 50, it’s worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.

White Rabbit

With a domed window inviting soaring views of the Moscow cityscape, White Rabbit has recently undergone extensive renovations, to both its interior and its menu. Renowned architect Natalia Belonogova has transformed the restaurant into an airy, modern space, perfected by the addition of a summer veranda. To connect the dining options with the new interior, head chef Vladimir Mukhin has created a new menu, Metamorphoses, to reflect the lifecycle of the mayfly butterfly.

Delight your palette with scallop, strawberries and blackcurrant or, for dessert, dandelion honey with melted cottage cheese. This summerlike and refreshing menu has its roots in Russian soil and its head in the clouds above Moscow’s skyline.

whiterabbitmoscow.ru

One of the best places to see and be seen, the O2 Lounge is half stylish seafood restaurant and half trendy pre-club hangout.

The food on offer is delicious Japanese fare, with sumptuous sushi prepared in front of diners by the team of talented chefs led by Nicholas Courtois. Located on the 12th floor of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the restaurant has spectacular panoramic views over Red Square and The Kremlin. After dark the restaurant becomes one of the coolest bars in town, with award-winning cocktails and a selective wine list.

o2loungerestaurant.com

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Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Home / Russia Travel Tips & Essential Advice / Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Moscow’s restaurant scene is booming with Russian dishes that are to die for. A city in the midst of a foodie revolution where almost anything goes, there is perhaps no dining scene in Europe as dynamic, exciting and adventurous as Moscow’s. 

At long last, Moscow is being recognised as an international culinary destination. New eateries are popping up at an astounding rate, and first-time visitors can expect to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to places to eat in Moscow.

This guide to eating out in Moscow covers some of the top restaurants in Moscow for any budget, from the top end of town to some of the city’s tastiest cheap eats. There are plenty of excellent options here whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Moscow. We’ve focused mainly on Moscow restaurants serving Russian food but thrown in some best-in-class representations of other cuisines for some added variety. In this list, you’ll find some of the most famous restaurants in Moscow, a few lesser-known gems and a few totally unique institutions which have become Moscow tourist attractions in their own right. Moscow’s food prices vary wildly. It’s easy to spend big in this town, but it’s also easy to find extremely affordable eats if you know where to look. One thing is for sure though – no matter what your tastes or budget, in Moscow, you’ll never go hungry for long.

Table of Contents

Fine Dining Restaurants in Moscow

Café pushkin.

A Moscow institute is known for its impeccable fine dining Russian and French cuisine, the palatial Café Pushkin opened in 1999 and immediately attracted a loyal following among high society folk. Elaborately decorated to recreate the feel of a 19th-century aristocrat’s manor, Pushkin has become equally popular with tourists keen to soak up the stately atmosphere of pre-Revolution Russia. The menu features sophisticated interpretations of definitive Russian cuisine, with a nod to classical French techniques. The kitchen’s insistence on high-quality ingredients lifts well-known favourites to another level of complexity and refinement. The signature beef stroganoff consistently receives rave reviews, while the roasted rack of lamb is the ultimate in rich, meaty indulgence. Of course, a restaurant of this standing serves several varieties of caviar a selection of top-shelf vodkas fit for an emperor.

Despite its rather formal appearance, the Café Pushkin experience is utterly charming. The waiters dress like 19th-century servants and diners are treated like royalty, but not without a sense of fun and theatrics. Bookings well advance are recommended.

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Price Range: 3-course dinner at approx. 3,500-4,000 RUB plus drinks (US $60-80) Hours: Open 24 hours for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks Address: 26A Tverskoy Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya Contact Details: cafe-pushkin.ru, +7 495 739-00-33 Facebook

White Rabbit

Consistently ranking in Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious annual World 50 Best Restaurants list, White Rabbit is the first restaurant in Russia to receive such international acclaim. Its success (it secured 15 th place on the list in 2018) is a sure sign of Moscow’s ascendance as a global gastronomy destination.

White Rabbit’s whimsical and immersive interiors are designed to evoke a sense of fantasy and wonder, with rabbits everywhere and antique rococo furniture straight out of a Wonderland tea party. On the 16 th floor of the Smolenskiy Passazh shopping centre, White Rabbit’s glass dome captures mesmerising 360-degree views, showcasing the awe-inspiring scale of the Russian capital.

Chef Vladimir Mukhin has dreamt up an inventive European menu employing seasonal ingredients from across Russia. Standout dishes from this luxury Moscow restaurant include rabbit and cabbage rolls with potato crisps and truffle, roast suckling pig and Black Sea oysters.

Price Range: ‘Russian Evolution’ tasting menu – 10,000 RUB per person Hours: Mon-Wed and Sun 12pm – 12am; Thur-Sat 12pm – 2am Address: 3 Smolenskaya Square, Smolensky Passazh Shopping Centre, 16th floor Nearest Metro Station: Smolenskaya Contact Details: whiterabbitmoscow.ru ,   +7 495 782-62-62

One of the best and most luxurious restaurants in Moscow.  The Estate is designed in style of baroque, classicism and renaissance. The refine painting, jewel porcelain vases, moulding, genuine Gobelene tapestries, ancient clocks and fireplaces. Two workshops of wood engravers, painters, sculptors had been manufacturing the interior’s details for six years. All here including carved lumps of modern authors’ work is of museum importance.

The menu includes dishes from Japan, European, Chinese cuisines, and fusion cuisine, as well. Alan Yao, the only chief cook who is awarded with two stars of Mishlen, is responsible here for Asian food. The music corresponds to the institution: instrumental music (harp, violin, violoncello) sounds here every evening.

Price Range: Average check with no drinks RUB 4,000 (US $70) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 26/5 Tverskoi Bulvar Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya Contact Details: turandot-palace.ru ,+7 (495) 739-0011

This Siberian restaurant is dark and traditional. The tables are lit by small lamps with tassels, while chandeliers contribute more to mood than illumination. Mournful music plays softly, the sound absorbed by the heavy tablecloths and all the soft furnishings. The menu is a treat for the adventurous. You might start with pate of polar partridge, then go for the sweet grilled meat of Altay yak with tomato and mustard sauce; or the gamey richness of minced meat of Sayan bear with cream-cowberry sauce and buckwheat.

Price Range: Average check RUB 4,500 (US $80) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 25 Gogolevsky Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Arbatskaya, Kropotninskaya Contact Details: chemodan-msk.ru Ph +7 (495) 695-38-19

Grand Café Dr. Zhivago

This ornate brasserie across from the Kremlin is Russian kitsch, with oversized statues, bright red chairs, white walls and colorful ceilings. It feels anachronistic, yet it’s the creation of a modern restaurateur, Alexander Rappoport.

There’s a lightness of touch in the dishes on a long menu celebrating Russian favorites from dumplings and pickled cabbage through to goose stew with cowberry. It’s especially good for breakfast, which includes more than 20 egg dishes and about a dozen types of porridge.

Price Range: Average check RUB 2,000-2,500 (US $40) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya Contact Details: drzhivago.ru

Erwin RekaMoreOkean

Another project of Aleksandr Rappoport, a restaurant with a phenomenal variety of fish and seafood at the most reasonable prices. Ninety percent of the fish in the restaurant is caught in Russia (from 25 rivers and seas). The restaurant features a caviar and oyster bar. Slices of frozen nelma (Siberian white salmon) and sterlet, thaw in the mouth with a natural, revealing taste of fish. Here, you can try the legendary Sagudai (raw fish slices) of muksun is the traditional Russian version of the ceviche. The restaurant also offers a large variety of crabs and shrimps: king crab, snow crab, frog crab, blue king crab, spiky crab, hairy crab, Argentinian shrimp from the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean; Dock shrimp from the cold waters of the northern seas and others.

A branch of this restaurant – “Erwin Reka”, is located directly on the board of the luxury yacht of the “Radisson Royal, Moscow” flotilla which daily cruises the Moscow River. The restaurant is open from noon to 1:00 am, and twice a day, at a scheduled time, travels along the Moscow river. The yacht-icebreaker leaves from the “Hotel Ukraine” pier regardless of the season and the weather: twice a day on weekdays (3.30pm and 8.00pm) and three times a day on weekends (12.00pm, 3.30pm, 8.00pm). Guests can enjoy not only the first-class fish and seafood dishes during a river cruise, but also relish picturesque views of the capital main sights: the famous high-rise hotel “Ukraine”, the House of Government of the Russian Federation, the Novodevichy Monastery, the Moscow State University complex, the Luzhniki Stadium, Gorky Park, the Central House of Artists, the giant Monument to Peter the Great, the legendary House on the embankment, the gold-domed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Moscow Kremlin and the gingerbread-like St. Basil’s Cathedral, the skyscraper on the Kotelnicheskaya embankment and the Zaryadye Park.

Price Range: Main dishes from RUB 960 to 5800 ($20-100), sets – from RUB 5100 to 21000 ($90-$350) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 2/1 Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Bldg. 2 Nearest Metro Station: Contact Details: rekamoreokean.ru , +7-495-785-02-22

Wine & Crab

This fun restaurant is on the main pedestrianized shopping street linking Red Square and Lubyanka. You can see the crabs as you enter. There are about 10 varieties, including Kamchatka king crab and Horsehair crab.

Price Range: Monday Party set, RUB 6,150 ($95) for 1.5 kilos of crab and 1.5 liters or Prosecco. Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 19-21 Nikolskaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Lubyanka, Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: winecrab.ru, +7 495 621-73-29

If you want to dine with the oligarchs and the politicians, Beluga is a great place. It’s on the second floor of the Hotel National, which opened in 1903 and the restaurant’s large windows have views of the Kremlin. (Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago is downstairs.) This is one of Moscow’s most famous luxury restaurants and just the place to invite your favorite big shot. Take your pick from two dozen varieties of caviar, washed down with a variety of vodkas as big as your pockets. It would be a shame to miss the Champagne, too.

Price Range: Average check RUB 3,500 (US $55) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: belugamoscow.ru , +7 (495) 901-03-36

Mid-Range Restaurants in Moscow

Sapiens est kitchen & bar.

The founding concept of this new gastronomic venue is companionship, which you can go there for at any time. In the morning Sapiens prepares fabulous breakfasts, in the afternoon a-la carte lunches, and in the evening guests can enjoy signature cocktails and musical rhythms from top DJs. The menu includes modern European dishes and the best examples of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,200-1,700 (US $18-$25) Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm–12am; Fri-Sat 12pm–6am Address: Pushechnaya St, 4, building 1 Nearest Metro Station: Kuzneysky Most, Lubyanka Contact Details: sapiens-est.ru , +7 925 229-94-45

Lavka-Lavka Farm to Table

Located within walking distance from the Bolshoi Theatre, Farm Restaurant Lavka-Lavka is the place of a new Russian cuisine. All the ingredients are delivered from local farmers and the dishes are cooked in a simple yet sophisticated way. The menu is an interesting twist on traditional Russian food: you can try such unique specialties as meat tartar and deer heart. 

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, the staff is really nice and there is also a nice feature: a menu lists the name of the farmer who supplied the ingredients for the dishes. Each guest has a chance not only to try delicious meals with an original recipe but also to reconnect with the great tradition of Russian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: Mon 6pm–12am; Tue-Sun 12pm–12am Address: Petrovka St, 21, building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Chekhovskaya, Tverskaya, Trubnaya Contact Details: lavkalavka.rest , +7 495 621 20 36

The exquisite interior of 1956, picturesque views, author’s kitchen – the team of the restaurant Ottepel is inviting you to appreciate design of the reconstructed historical pavilion and enjoy ingenious dishes.

Staff wear Mondrian-inspired aprons and the menu is innovative — the restaurant specializes in upgrading well-known, simple Soviet dishes into high-end cuisine. Traditional Russian cabbage soup “shchi” (420 rubles) counts calamari among its ingredients while the ubiquitous cold soup “okroshka” (360 rubles) features salty pastrami. Another trending item is the  “koryushka” served with potatoes (380 rubles). The smelt fish originates from the Baltic sea and is immensely popular in St. Petersburg. If you seek a filling meal, try chicken in Georgian “satsivi” sauce with fried polenta and cheese (610 rubles).

It’s an innovative throwback to the Soviet era, and perfectly at home in the ramblingly grandiose exhibition park of VDNH.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–10pm Address: Mira St, 119, building 311 Nearest Metro Station: VDNH, Botanichesky Sad Contact Details: ottepel-restoran.ru , +7 495 748-61-02

Homey dining room for traditional Russian delicacies, decorated with standard lamps, bookcases and old photos on the wall. Its traditional Russian living room decoration and some Russian old school music playing in the background really gives you this “lovely Russian babushka” vibe which is part of the fun.

Portions are quite big and the price is reasonable. The menu itself is really interesting for tourists. Try out these traditional soviet Russian dishes: homemade cakes, borscht, Bird’s milk dessert. This is the right place to enjoy the delicious authentic meal, attentive service, and excellent ambiance! A great bonus for cat lovers: A resident cat Benjamin will stroll around now and then.

Price Range: Average check USD $25-$30 Hours: 10am–10:30pm Address: Spiridonievsky st 10A, level 1 Nearest Metro Station: Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya Contact Details: marivanna.ru/msk , +7 495 650-65-00

The word  uhvat  refers to a long-handled wooden utensil used to slide food in and out of a pechka, a wood-fired oven found in many Russian houses until the late 19th century. Uhvat is one of the restaurants leading the resurgence in traditional Slavic cooking, with slow-cooked dishes such as pumpkin  kashas  (a type of porridge) with honey and linden dressing (£3.50), baked roe with pickled bramble (£14)  schchi  soups with fermented cabbage and  chichelindas , an old recipe for pate, here made with ox tail (£5). Don’t leave without tasting  toplyonoe moloko , a thick creamy dessert made by baking milk for several hours. The pechka oven features in many Russian fairytales – the Baba Yaga witch shoves children into ovens – and takes the centre stage at Uhvat. Daily rituals, such as using goose feathers to dust out the ashes, enhance the magical atmosphere.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: Rodchelskaya St 15, building 41 Nearest Metro Station: Krasnopresnenskaya Contact Details: uhvat.restaurant , +7 977 125-51-77

Art Rukav ( Rukav means sleeve) is a big platform where the free spirit of art and creativity reigns. There are art workshops, a gallery and a restaurant under the same roof. Rukav was named after the surname of the Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov.

Immersion in the world of art begins from the very first entrance through the massive decorated door. In the cloakroom you get checks in the form of drops, bright red ladders harmonize with dark sofas… There is even a pipe-shaped slide! The place is really unique and is dramatically different from the usual places to eat. During lunches you will surely be attracted by the details in decorating: to the stylized ware, for example, or an unusual sculpture next to your chair.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: 59 Zemlyanoy Val, Building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Taganskaya, Chkalovskaya Contact Details: art-rukav.ru , +7 (499) 271 88 74

Megobari Wine Bar & Restaurant

Megobari comes from Georgian and means as much as friend . This place brings the authentic Georgian dinning experience directly to Moscow and offers an eclectic variety of Georgian dishes including hand-made baked goods, meat stews, kebabs platters, as well as a wide variety of wines from the mountains of Georgia.

Price Range: average check USD $20-$35 Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am Address: Maroseika 15 Nearest Metro Station: Kitay-Gorod Contact Details: megobari.wine , +7 (905) 700-40-07

Quick bites and budget restaurants in Moscow

Lepim i varim.

Lepim i Varim is legendary for boasting some of the most incredible pelmeni in town. These beautiful, hand-sculpted parcels of deliciousness consist of an outer pocket of unleavened dough, wrapped around a filling of ground meat, boiled and served piping hot. Lepim i Varim make everything from scratch and you can watch the pelmeni masters at work in the open kitchen while you queue up at the counter.

Traditional Siberian pelmeni are stuffed with mildly spiced pork and beef. In addition to the classics, Lepim’s have invented several original pelmeni creations. There’s an extravagant Kamchatka king crab, an Italian inspired chicken, parmesan and basil, and several vegetarian options including mashed potato and fried onion.

Price Range: Classic pelmeni 270 RUB (standard serve), 350 RUB (large serve), US $6-$10 Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am – 12am Address: Stoleshnikov Ln, 9, Buidling 1 Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: lepimivarim.ru, +7 499 399-31-23

Stolovaya No. 57

You might not expect to find an economy-priced cafeteria inside the stately walls of GUM, an enormous shopping centre on the Red Square specialising in luxury brands. But it seems no Muscovite (wealthy fashionistas and penny-pinching students alike) can resist cheap, simple and delicious Russian comfort fare, dished out in a quaint, Soviet-style “stolovaya” (a self-service, canteen-style eatery).

Stolovaya No. 57 serves the Russian equivalent of a home-cooked meal in a standard Russian family. Salads are super-popular here, including the mayonnaise-heavy Oliver salad and shuba (“Herring in a Fur Coat”) a layered salad of pickled herring, eggs, beets, carrots and potatoes in a creamy dressing. Also on the menu are beef stroganoff, chicken kiev and chebureki (a deep-fried, meat-filled pastry turnover).

Price Range: Mains 150 – 400 RUB, US $3-$10 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: Krasnaya Sq., 3 | Inside GUM, level 3  Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: gum.ru/cafe/stolovaya-57 , +7 495 620-31-29

The newly opened vegan restaurant run by gastro-enthusiasts who have collected a minimalistic menu from a variety of cuisines, self-described as “smart casual.” You can see everything being cooked right in front of you in the open kitchen.

Price Range: Mains 450-600 RUB Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: 15/1 Tsvetnoy Blvd | “Tsvetnoy” Shopping Centre, 5th floor Nearest Metro Station: Tsvetnoy Bulvar, Trubnaya Contact Details: 5plus2cafe.ru , +7 995 301-64-48

Grechka Lab

The 1914 building — home of Moscow merchant Ivan Mikhailovich Korovin, and thereafter a bakery — was converted into a bright and airy café, contemporary bakery and brunch spot in the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. Flowers placed around the windows are a nod to wheat fields (‘ grechka ’ translates to buckwheat), whilst considered seating and textured walls evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Enjoy healthy soups, mains and salads, and try tasty éclairs,  “syrniki”  and cheesecakes.

Price Range: Average check 450-600 RUB, US $6-$8 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 8am – 11pm Address: Pushechnaya St 7/5c2 Nearest Metro Station: Kuznetsky Most, Lubyanka, Teatralnaya Contact Details: grechkalab.ru, +7 495 921-02-01

If you’re looking for a place that offers quick, cost-effective and flavoursome meals and snacks near Tretyakov Gallery, check out Vai Me!, a Georgian cafe chain with a fast-casual dining style. It has a self-service format with buzzers to let you know when your food is ready, so you don’t need to wait for your food at the checkout.

Despite the low prices, there are a variety of amazingly authentic Georgian dishes on offer. Muscovites love Georgian cuisine, and here they serve Moscow favourites like  khinkali  (Georgian dumplings), k hachapuri  (cheese-filled bread) and  satsivi  (chicken in walnut sauce).

Price Range: Average check RUB 350-600, US $5-$8 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: 8 Pyatniskiy St, Section 1 Nearest Metro Station: Novokuznetskaya Contact Details: vaimecafe.com , +7 499 646 02 20

This Canadian restaurant and juice bar is on a mission to prove that vegetarian dining can be filling, exciting and varied and does not necessarily need to involve stereotypical joss sticks, Indian tapestries and variations on the lentil. Interior-wise it’s as fresh as they come, all clean minimalist lines, favouring industrial materials and rough edges over cuddly pictures of ethnic tribes. On the food front, Fresh gets full marks for providing an experience that both vegetarians and meat-eaters can salivate over – huge wraps bursting with scrumptious goodies and noodles bowls brimming with both delicate and fiery Asian flavours are just some of the long list of hits.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,500, US $20 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: Bolshaya Dmitrovka 11, building 1A Nearest Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Pushkinskaya Contact Details: freshrestaurant.ru , +7 965 278-90-89, +7 495 641-89-81

Marketplace

Part fresh produce market, part restaurant, Marketplace’s chic, minimalist design, open kitchen and well-priced, vegetarian-friendly international menu keep the atmosphere buzzingly energetic.

You can be sure the ingredients are fresh and everything is cooked in front of you while you wait. Once your meal arrives, retreat to the bright, stylish dining room or kick back with a beer in a courtyard full of potted plants and colourful metal chairs. There are sandwiches and shashlik for a substantial snack or salads for the health-conscious (minus the typical heavy Russian dressing). Also on offer are Asian wok stir-fries and a variety of pasta. For a sweet snack, pastries are baked on-site, ready to pair with a cappuccino or milkshake.

Price Range: Sandwiches approx. 220 RUB, mains approx. 300-500 RUB Hours: Sun-Thur 8am – 11pm, Fri-Sat 8am – 1am Address: 13 Myasnitskaya ST Nearest Metro Station: Chiste Prudy or Lubyanka Contact Details: market-place.me , +7 929 577-73-77

Shuk Food Mall

You find yourself in a lively, happy crowd, tucking into huge portions of fantastic Israeli food, and nothing can convince that you’re not actually in the middle of a Tel Aviv shuk. Tucked into a cozy side street in central Moscow, this place is fantastic. The atmosphere is simply delightful – and so is the food.

Price Range: Average check 700 RUB Hours: Every day 8am – 11pm Address: 7 Veskovskiy Ln Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya Contact Details: +7 495 966-25-01

DEPO Food Mall

Depo (which means ‘ depot ’ in Russian) food mall opened in Moscow in February 2019 on the premises of a former tram depot. Built between 1874 and 1910 in the industrial neo-Gothic style, the red-brick Miussky tram depot is considered an important architectural monument.

Depo houses a small farmer’s market, with fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat, as well as the largest food court in Moscow (and, allegedly, in the whole of Europe) with more than 70 stalls, where one can sample food from all over the world – from China to Thailand and from Mexico to Morocco. The food mall also regularly hosts live concerts, DJ sets, workshops and public lectures.

Apart from the main building, which contains the market and the food mall, there are several proper restaurants on the premises of the former depot, including Kraby Kutaby (Crabs and Qutabs) by one of Moscow’s leading restaurateurs, Alexander Rappaport.

Price Range: vide range Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10am – 11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-2am Address: 20 Lesnaya, Building 3 Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya, Belorusskaya Contact Details: depomoscow.ru , +7 495 788-88-10, +7 495 788-88-33

If these sound like music to your ears (or more fittingly, tickles your tastebuds) then check out some of our guided Russia tours for a one-stop ticket to discovering even more about the Moscow food scene. Check out the video below to see some delicious food you could find in Moscow:

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Home to almost over 12 million souls, Moscow is many things to many people, and everyone finds their own reasons to visit Moscow. There is an infinite number of reasons to visit Moscow and its attractions. To make it easier for travellers, we created a list of the crowd’s top fifteen reasons and attractions everyone should visit when in Moscow.

The Best Restaurants Near Moscow's Most Famous Landmarks

Looking to satisfy your tastebuds while exploring famous Moscow landmarks? we’ve got you covered! Being Russia’s historical, megacity capital, Moscow is bursting at the seams with incredible buildings and landmarks that embody the country’s rich history and culture.

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Must-see restaurants in Moscow

Danilovsky Market

Zamoskvorechie

A showcase of the city's ongoing gentrification, this giant Soviet-era farmers market is now largely about deli food cooked and served in myriad little…

Delicatessen

The affable and chatty owners of this place travel the world and experiment with the menu a lot, turning burgers, pizzas and pasta into artfully…

Lavka-Lavka

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Meshchansky & Basmanny

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Arbat & Khamovniki

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A neat cluster of fir trees on a busy street hides a Nordic gem that deserves a saga to glorify its many virtues. This is not an ‘ethnic’ restaurant, but…

Cafe Pushkin

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A unique opportunity to sample Siberian cuisine (rare, that is, for those of us who don't frequent Siberia). The menu highlights game meat, regional…

The entire menu at Stolle is excellent, but the pirozhki (savoury pies) are irresistible. A ‘stolle’ is a traditional Saxon Christmas cake: the selection…

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Among myriad Georgian places in Moscow, Batoni is about the loveliest and the most scrupulous at sourcing all the right ingredients for century-old…

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Georgian food has never been known to be fast, but this fledgling chain is bringing about a revolution. The stylishly designed little eatery has all the…

Levon's Highland Cuisine

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A carnivore stronghold, Yuzhane (which means 'the Southerners') gets its meat from the Kuban area in southern Russia, hence the name. The chef's…

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There are plenty of pie spots around Moscow, but Nikolai wins your heart (and stomach) with its selection and the delicious crusts. Featuring a wide range…

The queue often runs out the door, as loyal patrons wait their turn for the city’s best freshly baked breads, pastries and pies. It’s worth the wait,…

As soon as you enter, the entire place lures you to go on a dessert rave. It offers a great variety of mouthwatering signature desserts, all-day…

Its darkened, scarlet-coloured interior makes this bistro look a bit like an oriental opium den, but it is in fact a carnivore temple, where patrons seem…

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• The 10 Best Restaurants In...

The Best Restaurants in Moscow

Moscow is known for its diverse and vibrant food scene, so picking out places from the cornucopia of choices might be challenging. We’ve put together a list of nine of Moscow’s best restaurants.

White rabbit.

One of the world’s top 20 best restaurants , White Rabbit is where every foodie should eat at least once in their lifetime. Chef Vladimir Mukhin utilizes both cutting edge and traditional cooking technologies to create gastronomic delights to die for.

Molecular gastronomy, an open kitchen, decent prices and a talented Spanish chef are the key ingredients of AQ Kitchen’s irrevocable success. Should you come here, be sure to try the thai chicken soup with lemon jelly, the duck comfit with buckwheat, ceps and black currant oil and the Cuba- libre dessert.

Café Pushkin

Foreigners have been coming to Café Pushkin for their first-night meal in Moscow for years, and it still hasn’t lost its appeal. Open from dawn till midnight, this place is perfect for any occasion, despite its over-the-top decorations. With its flawless food and impeccable service, Café Pushkin is truly Moscow’s best restaurant.

When Michelin-star chef Nino Graziano opened his first restaurant in Moscow, everyone knew it was destined for success. Semifreddo has a Sicilian-inspired menu and boasts an open kitchen where you can watch Moscow’s best Italian chef at work.

Located in one of Moscow’s most beautiful hotels ( the Metropol ), Savva is an exquisite restaurant with Andrei Shmakov, an Estonian celebrity chef, at its helm. Expect dishes such as borsch with cherry and duck leg, dumplings accompanied by some Champagne cream sauce, pike caviar and dill oil, as well as delicious slices of reindeer and beef brisket.

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This place is a cheese factory, shop and restaurant all in one. Syrovarnya is owned by one of Russia’s most celebrated restaurateurs, Arkadi Novikov. A variety of high-quality cheeses, a fresh take on Russian cuisine and an elegant interior design are the reasons Syrovarnya is among Moscow’s top restaurants.

Grand Café Dr. Zhivago

A quintessentially Russian restaurant, where you can eat your pelmeni with a view of the Kremlin . Located on the ground floor of the historic Hotel National, the restaurant seduces with bright interiors straight from a children’s book and offers a modern take on Russian cuisine. Come here for Olivier salad with smoked chicken, goose with lingonberry sauce and an impressive assortment of drinks in their vodka room.

Fahrenheit is a gastropub in the centre of the city known for its complex recipes, open kitchen and brutalist interior. This place will question and confuse your senses with unconventional ingredients like beaver fat and crab-apple syrup, but it will definitely leave you wanting more.

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9 Moscow restaurants that won over the Michelin experts

White Rabbit restaurant.

Two Michelin stars: Chef’s Table (1st floor); recommendation: Fireplace Hall (2nd floor)

Artest is located in a two-story 19th-century mansion in central Moscow. On the ground floor is the Chef’s Table (where guests sit at the same table and are personally served dishes from the chef); on the second is a hall with a fireplace. The restaurant, opened only at the beginning of this year by experienced Russian restaurateur Arkady Novikov, takes its name from the first three letters of the given and last names of Artem Estafiev, a young chef from St. Petersburg. Estafiev already has experience of several large restaurants in Russia’s two capitals under his belt, plus internships in Spain and France. Artem uses farm products and creates his own innovations in the restaurant’s “laboratory”, where he makes vinegars from vegetables and berries (carrots, chokeberries, etc.), experiments with Japanese  koji  mushrooms, and keeps products at high temperatures. The exquisite cuisine is complemented by wines (more than 400 on the wine list) and unusual cocktails based on  kombucha  and fermented products.

"Vremya" set: potato, tomato.

What to order: “Vremya” set, blackened vegetables and fruits. Average check: 15,000 – 20,000 rubles (Chef's Table) / 2,800 – 9,000 rubles (Fireplace Hall) Address: 15/2, Trubnikovskiy Pereulok street Website:   artest.rest

2. Twins Garden

Two Michelin Stars, Green Michelin Star, Best Service Award

Since 2017, brothers Ivan and Sergey Berezutsky have been serving creative and hi-tech dishes to guests at their Twins Garden restaurant. In their own laboratory, the chefs combine gastronomy with science: they ferment products, print food with a 3D printer and use freeze drying. Also installed here is a “kinetic farm” with products hanging in the air – symbolizing the 100-hectare farm in the Yaroslavl region from where most of the products are supplied. Part of the farm is located in the forest, so the restaurant always has seasonal berries, herbs and mushrooms at its disposal. The farm also rears goats, cows and poultry, and produces cheeses.

Far Eastern shrimp dumplings with strawberries, asparagus and trout caviar.

In addition to the main menu, you can order the “Rediscover Russia” set with local products from different regions of the country. The second set meal with the telling name “Vegetables” gives you a taste from the tops to roots. The picture is completed by 14 varieties of wines made from vegetables, mushrooms and herbs (how do you like wine made from tomatoes or boletus?!). The restaurant is famed for its extensive wine list, which is more like a book, featuring over 1,000 labels from all over the world.

What to order: “Rediscover Russia” set; Far Eastern shrimp dumplings with strawberries, asparagus and trout caviar.

Average check: 2,500 – 15,000 rubles

Address: 7th/8th floor, 8A, Na Strastnom Shopping Center, Strastnoy Bulvar street

Website:   twinsgarden.ru/en/

3. White Rabbit

One Michelin star

The restaurant is located under a glass dome on the 16th floor of the Smolensky Passage mall and offers a stunning panoramic view of Moscow. The restaurant’s brand chef, Vladimir Mukhin, is ranked the ninth best in the world, according to the Best Chef Awards. He experiments with alternative sources of protein and new technologies, including sensory food design (where color, shape and sound affect how the dish is perceived). Each signature set that Vladimir presents at the chef’s table is an audacious gastronomic performance.

Okroshka with brine and white milk mushrooms in an ice dish.

What to order: “Black Swan” set;  okroshka  soup with brine and white milk mushrooms in an ice dish; Borodino bread with coconut lard; apricot with black caviar.

Average check: 2,500 – 12,500 rubles.

Address: 16th floor, 3 Smolensky Passage Shopping Center, Smolenskaya Ploschad square

Website:   whiterabbitmoscow.ru/en/

Another establishment from the White Rabbit Family alliance offering modern, original fare. Here, chef Anatoly Kazakov riffs on Russian themes, using French techniques. The dishes speak for themselves: Sakhalin scallop with morels and cauliflower; turnip, rutabaga and turnips with honey and feijoa; Pozharsky cutlet with cucumber ketchup and mashed potato with black truffle.

Pigeon with Jerusalem artichoke and soaked cowberries.

What to order:  Pigeon with Jerusalem artichoke and soaked cowberries; crab, millet, Poshekhonsky cheese and sweet Abkhaz lemon jelly in celery root.

Average check: 2,500 – 7,000 rubles.

Address: 2nd floor, 31 VEB.RF Retail and Business Center, Novinsky Bulvar street

Website:   selfiemoscow.ru/en/  

5. Sakhalin

Sakhalin serves a mix of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, built around fish, shells and other seafood from the Russian Far East. As desired, guests can select them from the icebox or aquarium in the center of the restaurant, which, inter alia, amazes diners with its 360-degree panoramic views of Moscow from the 22nd and 23rd floors. The head chef is Aleksei Kogai, who has worked in the pan-Asian style for the White Rabbit Family alliance since 2011.

“Goldfish” rolls; Tiramisu in the form of a can of black caviar.

What to order: “Goldfish” rolls; Sakhalin salad; Tiramisu in the form of a can of black caviar.

Average check: 3,000 – 11,000 rubles

Address: 22nd floor, Azimut Hotel, 8 Smolenskaya Ulitsa street

Website:   sakhalin-moscow.ru/en/  

This restaurant is located on the second floor of the luxurious National Hotel overlooking the Kremlin. Beluga is described as a restaurant of Russian delicacies: its menu boasts more than 20 types of caviar and one of the world’s longest vodka lists. The head of the kitchen is Evgeny Vikentiev, an avant-garde chef from St Petersburg, who effortlessly combines pike-and-foie gras  pelmeni  with hay-and-mushroom broth, cheesecake with crispy reindeer lichen, and grape snails with buckwheat.

Octopus with coconut kefir and eggplant; Grape snails with buckwheat.

What to order: “Theory of New Delicacies” set.

Average check: 2,500 – 12,000 rubles.

Address: 2nd floor, National Hotel, 15/1 Mokhovaya Ulitsa street

Website:  belugamoscow.ru/en

Located in the historic building of the Metropol Hotel, a stone’s throw from the Bolshoi Theater and the Kremlin. The menu contains four main “stories” from chef Andrei Shmakov: “Healthy Lifestyle”, “Dacha”, “Farm” and “Russia”, each consisting of four dishes. For example, the “Russia” set tempts diners with duck-and-cherry borsch and muksun with warm potatoes. There is a separate menu section with six types of caviar (served with buckwheat fritters, potatoes, pickled cucumbers or smetana), plus more traditional offerings, including desserts. Andrei Shmakov, who created the menu, joined the Metropol kitchen in 2013, after previous stints in Estonia and St Petersburg, having trained at the legendary Noma in Copenhagen and Chez Dominique in Helsinki.

Beef jerky and smoked beetroot with parmesan and mustard ice cream.

What to order:  Beef jerky and smoked beetroot with parmesan and mustard ice cream; salmon, cod and halibut pie with asparagus and herb and caviar sauce; pie with pine nuts, chocolate, chanterelles and pine-flavored ice cream.

Average check: 2,500 – 6,000 rubles

Address: Metropol Hotel, 2 Teatralny Proezd street

Website:   savvarest.ru/en/  

8. Grand Cru

This wine restaurant in a prestigious area of ​​Moscow near Patriarch’s Ponds is run by French chef David Hemmerle, who has experience of working at exclusive restaurants in France and the UAE under his belt. Hemmerle’s menu at Grand Cru is rich in seasonal, local produce combined with expertly prepared sauces.  Très français .

Stuffed farm chicken breast with chanterelles.

What to order:  Stuffed farm chicken breast with chanterelles; young carrots and ginger sauce; tart with Kamchatka crab mousse and pike caviar.

Average check: 3,000 – 7,000 rubles

Address: 22/2 Malaya Bronnaya street.

Website:   grandcru.ru/en/

9. Biologie

One Michelin star, Green Michelin star

Opened about a year ago, the Biologie gastrobar with its laconic menu is located in a wooden building in a Moscow suburb; the dining area is decorated in a chalet style. Chef Ekaterina Alekhina adheres to the tenets of conscious consumption, respect for nature and minimal food waste in the kitchen.

Grilled scallop with beurre noisette and cream based on spent coffee grounds and pears.

What to order:  Grilled scallop with  beurre   noisette  and cream based on spent coffee grounds and pears.

Average check: 2,100 – 4,000 rubles

Address: 30/2 Lenin street, Ilyinskoe village

Website:   biologie.ru/en/ Average-check information comes from the Michelin Guide.

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• The White Rabbit Restaurant: A Journey to Wonderland
• RESTAURANTS
• Michelin Star Dining

By Arianna Ferreira

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The rabbit hole winding down to Wonderland is not always located in a whimsical secret garden or magical fairytale book. The most mystical and enchanting places can sometimes be found in the form of exquisite, luxurious cuisine. In fact, the road to Wonderland is not down, but rather up—16 floors to be exact. Pinpointed on top of the Smolenskaya Square in Moscow Russia, The White Rabbit restaurant guides guests into another realm.

This White Rabbit attracts individuals from all over the world and has earned the restaurant the 25th spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, with head chef and owner Vladimir Mukhin ranked the 9th best chef by the Best Chef Awards. Also featured on the Netflix show Chef’s Table , many regarded The White Rabbit to be the best restaurant Russia. Yes, this restaurant is in the top dining location in the largest country in the world.

Vladimir Mukhin is no stranger to fine dining and delectable taste. He began his journey as a chef at the age of 12 by working alongside his father. Frustrated by the lack of acknowledgement and homage to traditional Russian cuisine, Mukhin hit the books and discovered classic Russian recipes dating back hundreds of years that his ancestors had once cooked. He then combined these dishes with modern takes inspired by other European cities. With the collaboration of restaurateur Boris Zarkov, the White Rabbit opened its doors in 2012 and has served as a popular destination for tourists and locals ever since.

"With a feature on the hit Netflix show Chef’s Table, many have regarded the White Rabbit to be the best restaurant in all of Russia"

The top floor of the Smolenskaya Passage located along Moscow’s Garden Ring is reserved entirely for the White Rabbit. Guests are swept up 16 stories in a private elevator decorated like a forest, which separates the rest of the building from the restaurant. Right upon entry, guests will notice the eccentric Alice in Wonderland themed as exhibited by various white rabbit paintings and figures. Whimsical touches such as youth-like purple and blue lighting and multiple glass chandeliers contribute to the theme in a tasteful way. Panoramic windows within a sleek glass dome offer impressive views of Moscow. Whether you choose to dine in the afternoon or evening, these sweeping views enhance the overall experience.

The White Rabbit is made of two dining rooms on two different levels. Both are host to white tablecloth touches and plush, comfortable seating. The bar is one of the main focal points, boasting a towering display of wines behind the bold counter. On the cocktail menu, guests can graze over a selection of beverages inspired by Lewis Carrol’s classic tale, Alice in Wonderland . A variety of wines sourced from all over the world and an impressive bar menu offer a variety of drinks to be paired with the tasting options.

"The White Rabbit prides itself on sourcing many ingredients from Russian farms and local markets, ensuring the freshest cuisine. "

Every season is opened with a new tasting menu and original dishes from Mukhin. Besides the tasting menu, an À La Carte selection is also available. The White Rabbit prides itself on sourcing many ingredients from Russian farms and local markets, ensuring the freshest cuisine. Cold appetizers including smoked duck filet or jellied red king crab are just a few of the starter options. Delicacies such as ladoga pike perch served with poached egg, or baked cabbage and caviar provide guests with an unforgettable dining experience. For dessert, one of the restaurant’s most popular options is the tangerine honey cake. Lighter dessert options such as sorbet or whipped berries are also served.

Guests can opt for a variety of tasting menu options, with some even boasting 14 different courses. Each dish is designed to tell a story and pop off the plate—literally. Some dishes such as the birch blast and condensed milk will present a three-dimensional show when scanned on an app specially curated for the restaurant. These little touches and engaging experiences are what make dining at the White Rabbit Restaurant so memorable.

Fine dining is present in all aspects of The White Rabbit. Guests will truly feel as if they have stumbled into Wonderland as they are immersed in a magical setting surrounded by gourmet dishes. Dinner is not just a meal, but rather an experience here at this world-renowned Moscow restaurant.

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Arianna Ferreira

Arianna Ferreira is a staff writer based in New York City. She loves to share her passion for writing, travel, and exploration with readers from all around the world. When not in the city, she can be found back home on the beaches of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

• Fine Dining
• Michelin Star Restaurant

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Moscow Restaurants 2024

Top 20 restaurants you should definitelly visit during your stay in Moscow.

Looking for the best restaurants in Moscow? Checkout our latest list of the top places to eat in the capital of Russia.

Most of the trendiest restaurants are located around the famous Patriarch Ponds neighborhood, also known as the main gourmet center of Moscow and the neighboring Bolshaya Nikitskaya street. (our picks include Gvidon, Pino and Loro restaurants)

The list also includes a number of the beloved classics like Pushkin and White Rabbit that was awarded a Michelin star in 2022.

1 . Pushkin Restaurant

Pushkin restaurant is located in a 19th century mansion in the heart of the city. One of the best places to experience Russian cuisine. During summer they open summer verandah located on top of the restaurant's building and overlooks Pushkin Boulevard.

2 . Erwin Restaurant

Erwin is a seafood restaurant that occupies 2 floors of the building located at the bank of the Moscow River in close proximity to the Radisson Royal Hotel. Erwin's menu features an extensive selection of crabs that includes king crab, snow crab, frog crab, blue king crab, spiky crab and hairy crab.

3 . Dr Zhivago Restaurant

Dr. Zhivago is located in the heart of Moscow, just one block away from the Red Square and Kremlin. It occupies the ground floor of the legendary Hotel National built in 1902. The restaurant carries the name of the legendary novel, as well as creates its own intriguing story line.

4 . White Rabbit Restaurant

In October of 2021 White Rabbit received it's Michelin star. The restaurant represents the so called “new Russian cuisine”. At White Rabbit they use local products to cook traditional Russian dishes with a modern touch.

5 . Sixty Restaurant

The Sixty restaurant, located on the Federation Tower's 62nd floor, offers stunning panoramic views and stands as one of Europe's highest dining spots.

6 . Novikov Restaurant & Bar

Novikov Restaurant & Bar is located on the first floor of the Ritz-Carlton hotel on the central Tverskaya street. The menu is focused mostly on PanAsian dishes.

7 . Gvidon Restaurant

Gvidon restaurant is located in a restored mansion of the pre-revolutionary era. The historic building with large windows resembles old Moscow architecture. The extensive multi-page menu is divided into 3 sections that include seasonal dishes, raw bar, and main menu.

8 . Savva Restaurant

Savva restaurant is located inside the famous 5 star Metropole hotel right across from the Bolshoi Theater and TSUM department store.

Savva’s menu was compiled by chef Andrey Shmakov with a primary focus on Russian cuisine. Although you’ll find some French and Italian items in the menu as well. The menu also includes Raw Bar.

9 . Pino Restaurant

Pino is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of the trendy Patriarch Ponds area in the central part of Moscow. Pino’s extensive international menu has a dedicated section with dishes that can be shared among all guests at the table. Checkout their breakfasts served daily from 8:00 to 12:00.

10 . Bolshoi Restaurant

Bolshoi restaurant is located in the heart of Moscow next to the world famous Bolshoi Theater and TSUM department store. Local menu includes culinary classics from around the world. There are items from traditional Russian and Soviet era cuisine that are mixed with select Italian and French dishes.

11 . Sakhalin Restaurant

The Sakhalin restaurant is located on the 22nd floor of the AZIMUT City Hotel Smolenskaya that offers a 360-degree panoramic views of Moscow.

The restaurant’s menu features one of the best selection of seafood dishes in the city including crabs, shrimps, a variety of shells and fish brought directly from the Far East of Russia.

12 . Butcher Restaurant

Butcher on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is a premium steak house located on the first floor of the modern business center minutes away from the TSUM department store. Butcher specializes in premium meat from Argentina, Uruguay and Russia, so its a good place to have one of the classic steaks.

13 . La Bottega Siciliana

La Bottega Siciliana is a premium Italian restaurant located in the same building as the Four Seasons Hotel. The menu at La Bottega Siciliana listed on many pages is huge. It has all varieties of Italian dishes as well as some original items compiled by the chef Claudio Pirovano.

14 . Turandot Restaurant

Turandot is a premium pan-Asian restaurant located on Tverskoy Boulevard in the center of Moscow. The restaurant was created by the same restaurateur who created Pushkin restaurant located in the same building.

15 . Ivanka Restaurant

The Ivanka restaurant is located in the Neva Towers skyscraper in the Moscow City district. The main menu reflects the personal view of chef Ivan Negutarov on Mediterranean gastronomy with a primary focus on Italy. Checkout the menu’s dedicated “Carpaccio”, “Tartare”, “Crudo”, “On Ice” and “Caviar” sections!

16 . Le Pigeon Restaurant

Le Pigeon is a restaurant that specializes in Parisian cuisine where traditional French dishes are served with some creative modern twists. For those that are just starting their acquaintance with French cuisine, the chefs recommend trying some snails in white wine.

17 . Boston Seafood & Bar

Boston Seafood & Bar has 2 major advantages that make it stand out among other restaurants in Moscow also serving seafood. The first advantage is pricing policy that is extremely attractive considering high quality of their food.

18 . Aist Restaurant

Aist restaurant is located in the trendy Patriarch Ponds area in the center of Moscow. The restaurant is mainly focused on European cuisine but also has some signature Asian dishes. The restaurant is located in its own 3 story building and has one of the best summer verandahs in Moscow.

19 . Loro Restaurant

Loro was originally opened in the winter of 2019 and became famous for its fresh Moscow take on Italian classics. The menu consists of just one sheet and six sections. There is a raw section that has oysters, sea urchins, several kinds of carpaccio and tartare. The desert menu has all Italian classics like Tiramisu, Pistachio ice cream and Crème Brûlée.

20 . Yug 22 Restaurant

Yug 22 restaurant’s name is translated from Russian as “south” and the number refers to the building’s address. The restaurant is located on Bolshaya Nikitskaya street, famous for its restaurant scene and pedestrian area.

The front door of the restaurant is decorated with yellowish tones. You will definitely like the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows that they open during warm summer months.

Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Moscow

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1 Cafe Pushkin

2 White Rabbit

3 Lepim I Varim

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 Take Your Front-Row Seat

Summer in the city is a time of hedonism. Pleasure in all its forms - gastronomic, cultural and aesthetic - awaits guests in the summer garden on the roof. The iconic O2 restaurant, located in the Carlton Moscow hotel, promises connoisseurs of Mediterranean cuisine new experiences and unforgettable panoramic views of the city from the summer terrace. The best relaxation spot this summer: endless blue skies, the atmosphere of a dynamic city combined with a blooming garden, new dishes and art cocktails to the relaxing rhythms of a DJ set (Friday and Saturday from 19:00 to 23:00).

Signature cocktails

The cocktail menu from Bar Manager Filipp Glushakov invites you on a journey around Russia: behind each cocktail is a unique story with its own special aesthetic and original flavour combination. "Now more than ever, domestic tourism is becoming relevant. Come with us to the coldest place in the world, where temperatures drop to -70 degrees, or on a spit in the sea, over which a record 20 million birds fly during their annual migration – all that is right here within Russia. Our country has plenty of surprises for you. And we, in turn, are happy to charm you with drinks that convey the atmosphere of these places," says Filipp of his inspiration. Fresh and fruity, spicy and warming, deep and full of aromas of herbs and wild flowers …. Each cocktail is a work of art.

Elevated Dining

Explore an elevated dining experience and unique offers for dining enthusiasts looking to discover the finest local specialities or embark on a gastronomic journey around the world. Seasonal promotions along with traditional gastronomic ceremonies transform culinary and bar experience with a focus on Russian culture.

Book your exceptional dining experience with a view

Sunday - Thursday: 12:00 - 00:00 Friday - Saturday: 12:00 - 02:00 125009, Russia, Moscow, Tverskaya Street, 3 

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Restaurants in Moscow

Since the demise of Communism, all the cuisines of the world have found their way to Moscow. Dining out is a thoroughly cosmopolitan experience, although fine food often comes with a stratospheric price tag. At the cheaper end of the market, there are plenty of inexpensive shashlik (shish kebabs) and Sushi cafes catering to ordinary Muscovites rather than oligarchs.

You should be aware that some of the more upmarket restaurants in Moscow also have a rather snooty door policy known as ‘face control'. To fit in with the Muscovite high flyers, it pays to observe the local dress code when dining in the smarter places. For men, jeans and jumpers can be acceptable as long as you have proper footwear - leather shoes, never trainers. At more expensive places, diners are expected to dress expensively. Women are always expected to look ultra-feminine - which usually means make-up, showy dresses and high heels.

The Moscow restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive (over Rb2,500) Moderate (Rb700 to Rb2,500) Cheap (up to Rb700)

These Moscow restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service.

Restaurant prices in Moscow are subject to VAT (18%), which is always included within the prices stated. A service charge of around 10% may be added to your bill in some restaurants. If service is not included, a tip of 5 to 10% is customary.

It's almost impossible to imagine a more gorgeous interior than the Oak Hall at CDL, a stunning recreation of an aristocratic residence from Russia's Silver Age. It's worth visiting just for the lavish interior design, so the fine menu of expertly prepared traditional Russian cuisine is an added bonus. A regular stop for visiting dignitaries, it has the face control to match.

Café Pushkin

This historic café offers the chance to dine out in full Tsarist style. The food and service are impeccable, with delicious and beautifully presented Russian-French dishes that have prices to match the elegant setting. The ground floor is styled like an old pharmacy, complete with apothecary's bottles and scales, while the exclusive second floor is set in a handsome classical library.

Turandot lets you eat like a Tsar for the evening, though you'll need a royal wallet when the bill comes. Gorgeous ceiling murals and baroque flourishes create a dining experience fit for Peter the Great, and the menu of fine Russian cuisine is exemplary, but face control are strict, so dress smartly.

Restaurants serving the meaty cuisine of the Caucuses tend to be chintzy and unsophisticated, but Barashka breaks the mould. The graceful dining room is spread over two levels, joined by a spiral staircase. The imaginative menu is dominated by modern Azeri cooking, which bears some subtle similarities to Turkish cuisine.

Sushi Vyosla

Japanese food is hugely popular throughout Russia and every second Moscow restaurant seems to have sushi on the menu. This trendy basement establishment in the Nautilus shopping centre is a good place to lunch on quality sushi. Colour-coded plates make the bill easier to sort out at the end too.

Set in a modernised 19th-century mansion, this self-service stolovaya (canteen) has an enormous selection of main courses, salads, soups and desserts to choose from, all at budget prices. The surroundings are really quite stylish, making this one of the best cheap eats in Moscow. There are several branches across the city.

Beer halls are a Russian institution and this cheerful chain does the concept proud. The logo of the Kruzhka (which means mug) is a distinctive foaming beer mug set between a knife and fork, and the house brews are full-flavoured and satisfying. The simple but tasty food covers a broad spectrum from hearty soups to roast trout and chicken wings. There are branches all over Moscow.

It’s hard to miss the life-sized model of a Friesian cow outside this popular canteen. All the classics are here, from borshch and otbivnaya (cutlets) to shashlik (shish kebabs) and salads. Its best feature is the cafeteria counter where you can point to dishes that appeal, even if your Russian is limited. There are branches throughout Moscow.

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Featured hotels, hotel national.

With perhaps the perfect Moscow location, overlooking the Kremlin, Hotel National offers a unique blend of history and luxury. Frescoed ceilings, Damask wallpaper, oil paintings and antique furniture all add to the classic Russian baroque experience. The best rooms afford splendid views of the Kremlin, and all have all the expected mod-cons, including Wi-Fi.

Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy

This eye-catching modernist hotel looms above the Moscow River. The most expensive rooms have sweeping views towards the Kremlin and the Seven Sisters, but they can be found from the hotel's rooftop bar too. There are 233 sleek rooms, all with flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi access. There's also a spa, pool, gym and an organic restaurant.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski

Facing the Kremlin across the Moskva River, the opulent Baltschug Kempinski is elegance incarnate. Rooms are lavish, with flowing drapes, piles of soft linen and every imaginable convenience, but it's the views of domes and spires across the river that steal the show. There's a plush restaurant with a view of St Basil's, plus a swish spa too.

Izmailovo (Gamma-Delta)

Constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1980 Olympics, the concrete towers of the Izmailovo boast a staggering 8,000 rooms. Institutional in atmosphere, and located far out in the northern suburbs, the hotel is handy for the enormous Izmaylovo Market and has decent city centre links. There are several onsite restaurants and in-room Wi-Fi is available too.

Peking Hotel

Built in 1956 as a little sister to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers, and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow's Peking Hotel is a heritage hotel with a small 'h', in a good location just northwest of the centre. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable enough, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

Warsaw Hotel

Although its location may not be one of Moscow's most picturesque, the Warsaw Hotel is convenient for Gorky Park. Considering the quality of the competition, this is one of the best cheap options in the city, with clean and comfortable rooms, albeit in a rather dated style. Wi-Fi is complimentary and the Oktyabrskaya Metro station is right next door.

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9 Moscow Restaurants Awarded Coveted Michelin Stars

French gastronomic bible the Michelin Guide awarded nine Moscow restaurants with its coveted stars on Thursday, unveiling its first lineup of recommended eateries in Russia's up-and-coming food scene.

Long derided as a gastronomic wasteland, Russia's restaurant scene has emerged in recent years from a post-Soviet reputation for blandness, with establishments in Moscow regularly making lists of some of the world's best.

Representatives of the Michelin guide  — considered the international standard of restaurant rankings  — released the first Moscow edition of their iconic red book at a ceremony at Moscow.

Sixty-nine restaurants were recommended in all.

Two restaurants  — Twins Garden run by twin brothers Ivan and Sergei Berezutskiy, and chef Artem Estafev's Artest  — were given two stars.

Seven restaurants were given one star, including White Rabbit, whose chef Vladimir Mukhin featured in an episode of the Netflix documentary series "Chef's Table."

None were given three stars  — the Holy Grail of the restaurant world.

'Difficult time'

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at the ceremony that the release of the guide was an important event at a tough time for the restaurant industry.

"It's big moral support in this time of pandemic, when restaurants are having a particularly difficult time," he said.

Sobyanin said it also showed Russia had rediscovered a food tradition that had suffered under the Soviet Union.

"Unfortunately during the Soviet period these traditions were lost," he said. 

"I am proud that Moscow's restaurants have become a calling card for our fantastic city."

Michelin's international director Gwendal Poullennec told a press conference that the guide had used an international team of inspectors for its list and there was "no compromise in our methodology."

Speaking to AFP earlier, he said Russia's food scene had been "reinventing" itself since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. 

"There is an evolution of the Russian culinary scene. It is more and more dynamic," Poullennec said. 

He said he was surprised by "the quality and abundance of produce" in Moscow restaurants, highlighting in particular the seafood, such as crab and caviar, that are "exclusive" elsewhere but in Russia are available at a "reasonable price."

Russia became the 35th country to have a Michelin guide and Moscow is the first city of the former Soviet Union to be awarded stars.

The selection of restaurants will appear in print and also be available via an app in 25 languages, including Russian.

Crab, smetana and borscht

Michelin in December said that chefs in Moscow had set themselves apart by highlighting Russian ingredients, including king crab from the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok and smetana, the sour cream used in preparing beef stroganoff.

Moscow restaurants have increasingly turned to local ingredients after Western sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 resulted in a scarcity of many European foods.

A number of restaurants that relied on meat, cheese and fish imported from the West were forced to close, while those that strived to source their ingredients from Russian regions became more competitive.

In explaining why it chose Moscow, the guide last year pointed to the "unique flavors" of the "nation's emblematic first courses such as borscht."

Another leading French restaurant guide, Gault et Millau, launched its first Russian edition in 2017. In 2019, Gault & Millau was sold to Russian investors.

Twins Garden and White Rabbit have previously featured on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. 

Michelin also recently expanded to Beijing, Slovenia and California.

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Sweet Home Moscow

Driving Route 66? Here Are 19 Historic Restaurants Worth a Pit Stop

Posted: May 2, 2024 | Last updated: May 2, 2024

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The famous American highway Route 66, which ran all the way from Chicago to Santa Monica, was established in 1926 as car culture was taking over the nation. As more people started using the route for travel, restaurants and attractions along the way became destinations in themselves. Many restaurants and taverns that were opened in the heyday of Route 66 — or even before the route came to be — are still operating today. Here are some of the most interesting and long-lived restaurants worth a stop on the mother road.

1. Roy's Motel and Cafe

Amboy, California

Roy's started as a gas and service station in 1938, an oasis on Route 66 in the Mojave Desert. It soon grew to include a cafe and cabins for overnight rentals, and supported a small community of 700 people in the town. At its peak in the 1950s, it was operating 24 hours a day, but eventually fell into disrepair after Interstate 40 was built in 1972. The entire town — all 950 acres — was sold for $425,000 in 2005, and many buildings have been restored, including the iconic 1959 arrowhead neon sign that's the main attraction. Potable water is a problem here, so the cafe isn't operating, but you can still see the diner's counter, stools, and plenty of history inside.  

2. Peggy Sue's 50's Diner

Yermo, California

The decor at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner is kitschy and over-the-top, like many other 50s-style diners. The difference is that Peggy Sue's really did open in 1954. Back then, it had nine counter seats and three booths and was constructed in part with railroad ties and mortar from the nearby railyard. At some point, it was closed, but reopened in the 1980s when it got most of its pop culture memorabilia. After a cheeseburger and shake, head outside to the Diner-saur park and its 10-foot tall metal dinosaur — and King Kong — sculptures.

3. Del Taco

Barstow, California

This is the oldest operating Del Taco location, a fast food chain that started when Ed Hackbarth rebranded his Taco Tia — a Glen Bell restaurant, of Taco Bell fame — and split from the company in 1964. That's not to say that it's the oldest, because the original one was demolished. But you'll find a wall mural of the history of the restaurant in the dining room here, and it's still one of the locations owned and operated by Hackbarth. 

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4. Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket

Willowbrook, Illinois

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket has a quaint origin story. One day in the 1930s, two local farm women were at a gas station lunch counter and heard the owner talking about how he wanted to sell more food. The entrepreneurial women offered to teach him how to make fried chicken in exchange for buying his chickens from them, and the fried chicken was so popular that the restaurant expanded to a new building next door in 1946, the same one it's in today. Don't miss the corn fritters, fried chicken basket, or classic neon sign.

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5. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

Ted Drewes has been a summertime institution in St. Louis since 1930. It sells frozen custard, a treat that's denser, creamier, and just plain better than ice cream. The Route 66 location opened in 1941, and it still serves sundaes and concretes — that's like an extra-thick blended sundae served upside down — from walk-up windows that have long lines, especially in the summer heat.

Related:   Route 66: Then and Now

6. Midpoint Cafe

Adrian, Texas

Midpoint Cafe got its name because it's the geographic midway point between Chicago and Los Angeles on historic Route 66 — both cities are 1,139 miles away from the cafe. It was built in 1928 and expanded in 1947, and though it has changed hands and names many times over the years, it's been continuously operating. Flo's V-8 Cafe in the animated movie "Cars" was inspired by Midpoint, and you can sign your name on an old Ford parked outside. Don't miss the "ugly crust" pies, named because they might not look beautiful, but they sure taste good. 

Related:   Charming Retro Diners in Every State

7. Ariston Cafe

Litchfield, Illinois

One of the longest operating restaurants on Route 66 is Ariston Cafe . The restaurant actually predates Route 66 since it was built on the road's predecessor, Route 4, in 1924. The business was moved to Route 66 in 1935, and it's been there ever since. Today you can order everything from Greek salad and nachos to halibut and patty melts on the menu in a casual setting with white tablecloths. 

8. The Berghoff

A legendary restaurant in Chicago, The Berghoff is one of the oldest restaurants on Route 66, and the oldest in Chicago. It first opened in 1898, and while there's been some temporary closures, it's still owned by the same family. During Prohibition, they started brewing root beer, and after Prohibition ended, the bar got Chicago's first ever liquor license which is still on display. You can still stop in and order the restaurant's German specialities, like sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel, and apple strudel. 

Related: Oldest Restaurant in Every State

9. Original McDonald's Museum

San Bernardino, California

McDonald's started out as McDonald's Bar-B-Q in 1940 before changing the menu to include burgers and fries and dropping the Bar-B-Q in the name in 1948. The original building is gone, but on the same Route 66 spot is the McDonald's Museum, a homage to the chain's early years before Ray Kroc. It's owned by Juan Pollo Restaurants, a small local chicken chain whose owner has an affinity for fast-food history. 

10. Cozy Dog Drive In

Springfield, Illinois

Known almost as much for its adorable hot dog couple logo as its corn dogs, the Cozy Dog Drive In has been in operation since 1949. Original owner Ed Waldmire developed the cozy dog while in the Air Force, and opened the restaurant after being discharged because the corn dogs, with batter that actually stuck to the hot dog, were so popular. They only cost 15 cents originally, and today they'll still only set you back $3.  

11. Mitla Cafe

Established in 1937 by Lucia Rodriguez, Mitla Cafe is historic in its own right, but it's more famous for who it inspired. Glen Bell had a hamburger stand across the street from the wildly popular taco-slinging spot, and got his way into the kitchen by befriending the staff. He copied the crispy tacos dorados that people lined up for in his new venture, Taco Bell, in an age-old story of appropriating minority cuisine. The original Milta Cafe is still going strong, run by Lucia's grandson and great grandson, and still serves the infinitely better version of the crisp ground beef taco. 

12. Western View Diner and Steakhouse

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Opened in 1937, you'll still feel like you're walking back in time when you step into the Western View . Its retro diner interior isn't original, but it's cozy and welcoming. The mosaic tile on the wall behind the register area is original, though, so keep an eye out for it. The cuisine served includes diner favorites, steaks, New Mexican, and Greek, thanks to a succession of Greek owners. Don't miss the homemade biscuits and gravy, breaded steak fingers, or the savory stuffed sopapilla smothered in red or green chile.  

13. Sycamore Inn

Rancho Cucamonga, California

The restaurant now known as the Sycamore Inn has an incredibly long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s when an inn and tavern was built by "Uncle" Billy Rubottom on the Santa Fe Trail, which eventually became Route 66. The building that currently stands, along with its name, dates to 1920, and it's been a popular stop for travelers as well as celebrities since. It's an upscale spot that serves steak, oysters, and a large wine list in its chalet-style two-story wooden building. 

14. Maid Rite Sandwich Shop

Not to be confused with the Maid-Rite chain, this Maid Rite Sandwich Shop opened in 1924. It claims to have the first drive-thru window in America, and while those claims are hard to verify, it makes sense that it would be located on Route 66. It serves Americana on a bun, but not in the form of a hamburger. Instead, it serves a popular item in this part of the Midwest: the loose meat sandwich. It's like a sloppy joe but without the sauce, so it's more like a sloppy hamburger with mustard, pickle relish, and onions. 

15. Rock Cafe

Stroud, Oklahoma

Rock Cafe has survived some serious setbacks since it opened in 1939. In 1999, an F3 tornado ripped through the town and damaged the iconic neon sign. Then in 2008, a fire destroyed everything but the four outer rock walls and Betsy, the 200-pound griddle that had been in the kitchen for 75 years. Betsy was restored — as were the walls — and she's still used to cook up Buffalo burgers and chicken fried steaks. The "Cars" character Sally Carrera was modeled after Rock Cafe's owner, Dawn Welch , a tireless advocate for Route 66.

16. Luna Cafe

Granite City, Illinois

Luna Cafe , a small restaurant that opened in 1924, has an interesting history for one main reason. Al Capone used to meet with local mobsters at the restaurant after driving down Route 66 from Chicago, and it was reportedly one of his favorite hangouts. He may have enjoyed the supposed illegal gambling operation in the basement, or the illicit entertainment that allegedly took place upstairs (legend has it that the red cherry on the sign would light up during those times). Now it's a local dive bar.

17. Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe

Victorville, California

Built in 1947, Emma Jean's is named for one owner's wife, who worked at the cafe as a waitress. It’s their son, Brian, who now runs the busy daytime-only diner. He was the one that the menu's "Briancakes" and Brian burger are named after, and that burger, with its thick hamburger patty, roasted green chiles, melted Swiss, and grilled sourdough crusted with Parmesan, is the main draw here. Though it's just made out of cinderblocks, the aqua building is photo-worthy.

18. Jamil's Steakhouse

Oklahoma City

In the early 1900s, Lebanese immigrants came to Oklahoma to work in the oil fields. They brought their cuisine with them, of course, and a number of Lebanese supper clubs popped up, including Jamil's Steakhouse , which opened in 1964. The menu is an interesting mix of expensive steakhouse eats — we're not far from the Oklahoma capitol — Southern, and Lebanese fare. Every entree comes with an assortment of appetizers, including tabouli, hummus, stuffed cabbage, fried bologna, and a baked potato for an incredible mix of cultures.

19. Sultana Bar

Williams, Arizona

Open since 1912, there's a lot of history packed into Sultana Bar . There are tunnels under the building which were rumored to have been for running drugs, but most definitely were for hiding booze during Prohibition. There's a passageway to the former theater next door that used to screen silent films, and a police chief was murdered by a drunk patron in the bar in 1947. That, along with animal mounts like the cougar behind the bar, gave the tavern an air of intrigue and edginess that has never really gone away.

Related: 30 Historic Dive Bars Across the Country

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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The state of tourism and hospitality 2024

Tourism and hospitality are on a journey of disruption. Shifting source markets and destinations, growing demand for experiential and luxury travel, and innovative business strategies are all combining to dramatically alter the industry landscape. Given this momentous change, it’s important for stakeholders to consider and strategize on four major themes:

• The bulk of travel is close to home. Although international travel might draw headlines, stakeholders shouldn’t neglect the big opportunities in their backyards. Domestic travel still represents the bulk of travel spending, and intraregional tourism is on the rise.
• Consumers increasingly prioritize travel—when it’s on their own terms. Interest in travel is booming, but travelers are no longer content with a one-size-fits-all experience. Individual personalization might not always be practical, but savvy industry players can use segmentation and hypothesis-driven testing to improve their value propositions. Those that fail to articulate target customer segments and adapt their offerings accordingly risk getting left behind.
• The face of luxury travel is changing. Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than any other travel segment today—particularly in Asia. It’s crucial to understand that luxury travelers don’t make up a monolith. Segmenting by age, nationality, and net worth can reveal varied and evolving preferences and behaviors.
• As tourism grows, destinations will need to prepare to mitigate overcrowding. Destinations need to be ready to handle the large tourist flows of tomorrow. Now is the time for stakeholders to plan, develop, and invest in mitigation strategies. Equipped with accurate assessments of carrying capacities and enhanced abilities to gather and analyze data, destinations can improve their transportation and infrastructure, build tourism-ready workforces, and preserve their natural and cultural heritages.

Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024

Global travel is back and buzzing. The amount of travel fell by 75 percent in 2020; however, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. More regional trips, an emerging population of new travelers, and a fresh set of destinations are powering steady spending in tourism.

There’s no doubt that people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go?

We share a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030.

The way we travel now

Which trends are shaping traveler sentiment now? What sorts of journeys do today’s travelers dream about? How much are they willing to spend on their trips? And what should industry stakeholders do to adapt to the traveler psychology of the moment?

To gauge what’s on the minds of present-day travelers, we surveyed more than 5,000 of them. The findings reveal disparate desires, generational divides, and a newly emerging set of traveler archetypes.

Updating perceptions about today’s luxury traveler

Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than for any other segment. This growth is being powered in part by a large and expanding base of aspiring luxury travelers with net worths between $100,000 and $1 million, many of whom are younger and increasingly willing to spend larger shares of their wealth on upscale travel options. The increase is also a result of rising wealth levels in Asia.

We dug deeper into this ongoing evolution by surveying luxury travelers around the globe about their preferences, plans, and expectations. Some widely held notions about luxury travelers—such as how much money they have, how old they are, and where they come from—could be due for reexamination.

Destination readiness: Preparing for the tourist flows of tomorrow

As global tourism grows, it will be crucial for destinations to be ready. How can the tourism ecosystem prepare to host unprecedented volumes of visitors while managing the challenges that can accompany this success? A large flow of tourists, if not carefully channeled, can encumber infrastructure, harm natural and cultural attractions, and frustrate locals and visitors alike.

Now is the time for tourism stakeholders to combine their thinking and resources to look for better ways to handle the visitor flows of today while properly preparing themselves for the visitor flows of tomorrow. We offer a diagnostic that destinations can use to spot early-warning signs about tourism concentration, along with suggestions for funding mechanisms and strategies to help maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts.

Six trends shaping new business models in tourism and hospitality

As destinations and source markets have transformed over the past decade, tourism and hospitality companies have evolved, too. Accommodation, home sharing, cruises, and theme parks are among the sectors in which new approaches could present new opportunities. Stakeholders gearing up for new challenges should look for business model innovations that will help sustain their hard-won growth—and profits.

Unbundling offerings, cross-selling distinctive experiences, and embracing data-powered strategies can all be winning moves. A series of insight-driven charts reveal significant trends and an outlook on the future.

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This Summer in Paris: More ‘Open’ Signs, Thanks to the Olympics

With millions of visitors expected in the city, restaurant and shop owners are hoping they made the right decision to forgo their cherished annual vacations.

By Lindsey Tramuta

Anyone who’s visited Paris in late July and August knows the word “fermé.” It adorns the darkened windows of chic indie boutiques and cozy bistros whose owners, along with other locals, have fled the city on their annual vacations.

This summer, with Paris expected to draw nearly 15 million visitors between July 26 and Sept. 8 for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, that ritual is anything but certain. Many shopkeepers, bakers, restaurateurs and tour guides — citing patriotism as well as profit — say they’re planning to stay open.

It’s a decision that comes with unpredictability. The 2012 London Olympics have cast a long shadow in Paris. Before those Games, warnings of overcrowded roads, congested transit and security concerns emptied out much of the popular city center and the West End, causing a tourism slump in those areas. Small-business owners in Paris are hoping history does not repeat itself.

The French capital is in a better position than the British capital was, insisted Pierre Rabadan, Paris’s deputy mayor for sports . Most of the events in London were held in one section of the city, he said, while in Paris, they’re taking place all over. “So when businesses have asked if they should stay open,” he explained, “we tell them we’re trying to create the conditions for this to be a real opportunity and for the city to function normally.”

With streets restricted, Metro stations closed and public transportation likely to be jammed, “normally” might be a stretch. But if you’re traveling to Paris for the Olympics or Paralympics, you will most likely find more dining and shopping options than you would otherwise see at that time of year. Here’s what to expect.

Preparations and a few disruptions

“If you want to have your ‘Emily in Paris’ trip to Paris this summer, you absolutely can,” said Olivia Grégoire, France’s minister in charge of tourism . Most popular attractions will remain open as normal, but a few closures could complicate plans.

The Place de la Concorde was set to be blocked off, even to pedestrians and cyclists, as of June 1, and three nearby Metro stations will close until Sept. 21.

The Eiffel Tower will remain open except for the eve and day of the opening ceremony, on July 26. The region’s airspace will also be closed for six hours before and during that event. And because the opening ceremony is set to take place on the Seine, river cruises, among the city’s most popular sightseeing experiences, will stop seven days before the ceremony and resume on July 27 at noon.

Owners of businesses that focus on tours and cultural experiences are banking on early-summer visitors to soften the blow that might come from a drop-off during the Games, after the Paris Tourist Office reported that participation in cultural activities was down 15 percent during the London Olympics.

Fat Tire Tours , a leading bike tour company, will run special Olympics-themed tours in early summer, then pivot to bike rentals during the Games to compensate for an expected drop in tour bookings.

Jane Bertch, a co-owner of La Cuisine Paris cooking school, which offers English-language classes in a location near City Hall, said she had noticed a sharp drop in bookings for late summer, but will “run as many classes as possible.”

Rising to the challenge

The Olympic crowds will bring appetites for Paris’s renowned cuisine, but for months, restaurateurs worried that restrictions on motorized vehicles in security zones around the city’s 25 competition venues could curtail deliveries. City officials have calmed some of those nerves.

“We don’t want restaurants to close during this monumental event because they’re worried about deliveries,” said Grégoire Ambroselli, a co-founder of the food logistics start-up Choco , during an Olympics-related conference in March.

Now, armed with more clarity on how to adapt to delivery challenges, most restaurants and bakeries report they will stay open during the Games, with one big caveat: Many plan to take a break between the closing ceremony, on Aug. 11, and the start of the Paralympics, on Aug. 28.

Maslow , a soaring, centrally located vegetarian restaurant facing the Seine, wouldn’t dream of closing, given its proximity to the Olympic action. But that decision comes with some unease. “We’re staying positive because the energy will be incredible, but we’re a bit worried about how hard it will be for our staff to get to work,” said the executive chef, Mehdi Favri, who is also a co-owner.

Commuting has ranked high among businesses’ concerns. However, locals have faced similar hurdles getting to work before. In 2019, trains across France and public transport in Paris were severely disrupted for nearly two months during a nationwide pension reform strike, forcing workers to walk or cycle long distances.

André Terrail, the owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant La Tour d’Argent , which overlooks the Seine, doesn’t think the Olympic commutes will be quite that complex but admits such challenges, in general, are the price of doing business in Paris. “It’s going to be complicated. We’re all going to be running around. But it’s also going to be amazing,” he said. “If other host cities have found solutions, so will we.”

Etheliya Hananova, a co-owner and sommelier at the contemporary French restaurant Comice , is perhaps the most enthusiastic about the summer ahead — enough to remain open seven days a week for three weeks through Aug. 10. “It’s one of the biggest events in the history of Paris. We’re here to be part of the welcoming committee,” she said.

The scaling-back of the opening ceremony on the Seine has given the antique booksellers, or “bouquinistes,” that line its banks a reprieve, and many plan to stay open. Shoppers will also be able to browse in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette , Printemps and Le Bon Marché . For those seeking something unconventional, the St.-Ouen flea market will sprawl out as usual, offering antiques, vintage clothing and more.

Outside the tourist areas, popular restaurants and bars like Holybelly , Folderol , Kubri , Abricot Le Mary Celeste and Fulgurances aim to draw visitors seeking a break from the crowds. “We’ve decided to open more — six days a week,” said Rebecca Asthalter, a co-owner of Fulgurances . Likewise, independent boutiques such as Landline , which sells home goods in a residential neighborhood east of the Bastille, are hoping travelers branch out to calmer parts of the city.

Back in the thick of the action, Marin Montagut, an artist and illustrator who sells hand-painted table accessories, stationery, silk scarves and candles from an apothecary-style boutique near the Luxembourg Gardens, is planning a Paris-inspired display of his wares. “I’m looking at this like it’s the World’s Fair. I want to honor the city and be open to all,” he said. “If I’m not optimistic during this period, when will I be?”

Amy Virshup contributed reporting.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Inside the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

News and Analysis

Bill May, the 45-year-old artistic swimmer who was vying for a chance to be the first man to compete in the sport at the Olympics this summer, did not make the U.S. team’s final roster .

Seeking to undermine the Paris Olympics, Russian propagandists  are spoofing broadcasters and mimicking French and U.S. intelligence agencies to stoke fear about security at the Games.

Ahead of the Olympics, the global agency tasked with policing doping in sports is facing a growing crisis  as it fends off allegations it helped cover up the positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers .

A Guide to the Games

More ‘Open’ Signs: With millions of visitors expected in Paris, many shopkeepers, bakers and restaurateurs are forgoing their annual summer vacations .

A New Gastronomic Course: In the Olympic dining hall near Paris, carbon imprint will outweigh cassoulet as chefs consider the environmental impact of French cuisine. There won’t even be French fries .

Escaping the Games: Even if you’re visiting France for the Games, you may want to take a cultural break like a local. Here are some suggestions .