Best restaurants in St Petersburg

Your dining out city break guide, for Saint Petersburg breaks

Of course restaurants are always coming and going so it is difficult to stay on the pulse but below we have listed the best places at the moment:

HIGH CLASS

Palkin (Палкинъ)
http://www.palkin.ru

Chehov (Чеховъ)
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/744/

The Old Customs House (Старая таможня)
http://www.concord-catering.ru/en/restaurants/old-customs/

Stroganoff Steak House
http://www.stroganoffsteakhouse.ru/

Restaurant (Ресторанъ)
http://elbagroup.ru/restoran/

Stage (За сценой)
http://elbagroup.ru/backstage/

Russian Vodkaroom (Русская рюмочная)
http://www.vodkaroom.ru/eng/index.html

Ginza (Гинза)
http://restoran-ginza.ru/eng.html

Volga-Volga (Волга-Волга)
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/25550/

Tsar (Царь)
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/13645/

MID-RANGE

Ocean (Океан)
http://www.okean.spb.ru/

Fish House
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/25887/photos/20090/

Quartier Gourmet
http://www.quartier-gourmet.ru/

Aragvi (Арагви) – Georgian cuisine
http://www.restoran.ru/spb/detailed/restaurants/aragvi

Demidov (Демидов)
http://www.rest-demidov.narod.ru/russian/index.htm

Scandinavia Restaurant (Sestroretsk town)
http://www.skandinavia.ru/en/skandinavia-restaurant.html

Sadko (Садко)
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/849/

Sardina (Сардина)
http://www.restoclub.ru/site/all/main/1161/

Podvorie (Подворье)
http://www.podvorye.ru/index.php?lang=eng

Teplo (Тепло)
http://www.v-teple.ru/

Polenta (Полента)
http://www.concord-catering.ru/restaurants/polenta/

BUDGET

Admiralteystvo “Адмиралтейство” (in Tsarskoye Selo)
http://www.restoran.ru/spb/detailed/restaurants/admiralteystvo

Golden Lion (Золотой Лев)
http://www.restoran.ru/spb/detailed/restaurants/goldenlion

Old Tower (Старая башня) (in Tsarskoye Selo)
http://www.oldtower.ru/

Russian good quality fast foods

“Teremok” (“Теремок”)
http://www.teremok.ru/

Elki-Palki (“Ёлки-Палки”)
http://www.elki-palki.ru/

One of the most famous & most stylish restaurants is Onegin, which tends to attract the cities high rollers, politicians and TV stars. Once inside Onegin, one feels like a VIP, dining in an imperial palace. The design of the restaurant is lavish and has raised the bar for other similar chic establishments. Onegin concentrates on French & Russian cuisine and has won lots of praise with the dining scene. Adding to the twist of the restaurant, it also turns into a very trendy nightclub. This chic restaurant-club will not fail to impress any type of visitor and we highly recommend making advanced reservations. If you want to try the most delicious Russian food, immersed in an authentic interior design, then Na Zdorovie is the place to go. Here you’ll find the traditional dishes to be exquisite, a taste satisfying experience that gives you an insight into Russia home cooking. The waiters are very polite, the menus are English and the atmosphere of Na Zdorovie is lively & very welcoming. Many clients that have traveled to St.Petersburg have dined here and have praised the fresh food and great service.

One of the most exquisitely designed restaurants is Demindov, another Russian cuisine specialist. Found close to the Michailovsky Castle, this unique establishment promises to transport guests back to the 19th century. The dining rooms are regal and oval in shape, decorated with classical furnishings of the era. The food is well prepared and the staff are attentive but not over baring. A St. Petersburg weekend break could never be forgotten when dining in such a fantastic place. Not far from the cathedral of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood, is the not so originally named ‘Saint Petersburg’ restaurant. This is another folk type decorated establishment, blending beautiful food with strong Russian influences. Dinners can enjoy Russian folk songs & music, whilst battling with the largest of food portions you’ll probably experience in Russia.

Lovers of Italian food will find many appropriate places to dine, like Rossi’s, Milano and Pizzicato. These three restaurants prepare freshly made pasta, beautiful desserts and are very reasonably priced. For great pizzas, head to Sbarro, a chain restaurant that serves more than 50 kinds of pizza on different dough’s and with various toppings. The casual and cozy interiors recreate an atmosphere of sunny Italy, which creates a pleasant ambiance for its guests. Sbarro might not be fine dining, but they make one hell of mean pizza. A very popular Italian restaurant to find for St Petersburg city break guests is Il Grappolo, known for is socialable atmosphere, cheap prices and great cuisine. For those that appreciate good food and good wine, you won’t go far wrong by trying Il Grappolo.

Le Paris is a gourmet French restaurant found near the Yusupov Palace. The food is very good and the service is impeccable but expect to be paying for it, as this establishment isn’t for budget minded short break travlers. Le Paris has an excellent reputation for duck, fish and vegetarian dishes, all prepared to perfection. Garcon Bistro is a traditional French restaurant we’d highly recommend for discerning clients and those looking for the perfect romantic breaks retreat in Russia. The menu is exquisite and if you can afford the high prices, Garcon Bistro shouldn’t be missed on a St.Petersburg weekend break holiday. One of the best French restaurants to indulge is Le Francais, a romantic and fine dining establishment, where the cuisine is authentic and guests can enjoy the live piano music. If reservations are not possible at Le Francais then try the Belletage Restaurant, which guarantees a special and memorable evening, of good French food, wide choice of wines and live jazz music.

Just like in Russia’s capital, Japanese cuisine is quite popular here also. Two favourites for sushi dishes & genuine Japanese food are Sakura and Osaka. The best place to try if only away for a short break in Russia is Planeta Sushi, the excellent alternative to expensive Japanese cuisine restaurants, with top-level service and high quality Japanese dishes. Planet Sushi is synonymous with traditional Japanese comfort and hospitality. They offer over 50 different sushi dishes, all prepared using only the freshest fish available. This is the place to get to know not only genuine Japanese cuisine, but also the traditions of the Country of the Rising Sun. The Sukovati restaurant serves both Japanese and Indonesian cuisine in an authentic atmosphere. Guests can enjoy great food here and even find a popular bar-disco downstairs in the basement.

There are only a handful of good Indian restaurants in St Petersburg, but two to be put in the spot light are Tandoor and Swagat. One of the best Indian restaurants is Tandoor, where clients on city breaks to St.Petersburg will find the typical Asian interior and standard curry dishes. It’s an extremely popular restaurant and has won awards and many vegetarians come here for the many excellent none meat dishes. The prices are quite high, so this detracts the boisterous stag night crowd and although its more expensive than other Indian’s, your money will be well spent here. Swagat comes recommended as an excellent Indian. The menu is varied, with vegetarian options, the prices are reasonable and you’ll enjoy the live music on the weekends. Peking Opera is a delightful & refined Chinese restaurant, decorated in authentic minimalist style. It’s located opposite to the world famous opera & ballet ‘Mariinsky Theatre’ and is an excellent place to dine after seeing an operatic or dance performance. Other Chinese restaurants to take note of are: Fanza, Golden Dragon and Jun Go. Contact the Russia holidays travel experts about dining in Saint Petersburg and about our great city breaks deals in Russia, Moscow and other short breaks in Eastern Europe.

Vegetarians will be pleased to know that there are a few excellent restaurants to find. One of the most popular is ‘The Idiot’ café. This intimate café-bar concentrates on Russian vegetarian cuisine and has designed the interior theme around a 1950s look. The antique furniture creates a homely feel, as does the old vinyl music playing in the background. It’s a perfect place to share some intimacy or to chill out calmly with friends and enjoy tasty food in a friendly atmosphere. Considering the quality of the food and service, the prices are ridiculously cheap, making it a highly recommended place to eat during a St Petersburg holiday. Another great vegetarian option is in close proximity to the Vladimirsky cathedral, the restaurant is called Kashmir and serves beautiful vegetarian dishes. Also, look out for the Troitsky Most Cafés, which are part of a chain that specializes in vegetarian & healthy cuisine. Each café looks different from the next, but they all offer the same high standard service.

The Palkin restaurant is one of the most famously known places to dine in the city. The restaurant has an amazing history, that dates back to 1785, when the first Palkin tavern was founded by Anisim Palkin. The restaurant today, still carries on the culinary excellence, where guests can dine in luxurious interiors and try specialities like black caviar and lobsters' necks. Visitors that appreciate the finer things in life, will adore the Palkin. Reservations are essential for this historical and delightful city break top table. Magrib restaurant-club, located on the Nevsky Prospekt has an oriental feel. The décor consists of eastern vases, carved walls, dimmed red lights, colorful sofas and pillows. It also doubles as a trendy nightclub, playing sophisticated dance music to an appreciative crowd. The food there ranges from; Russian & African to Italian and Japanese. It’s a popular weekend break choice, being able to dine and dance in the same place.

Chaika is located in a really convenient place just off the Nevsky prospect on the Griboyedova channel embankment. It’s the first Russian-German joint venture in Saint-Petersburg and is the best restaurant to eat German cuisine. An obvious highlight is the German beer, which has been specially imported. Shinok Ukrainian is considered to be the best Ukrainian restaurant in St. Petersburg. The food is tasty and the portions are hearty and the prices are quite low, the restaurant is also opened 24hrs a day, so take note if you’re on a St. Petersburg stag weekend, you might have somewhere to supplement that liquid diet. Mexican cuisine is best served at Senor Pepe’s Cantina, La Cucaracha and Tres Amigos. Of the three Mexican Tres Amigos is probably the best. The décor creates the atmosphere of being in Latin America, the cocktails are great and there is a wide selection of tequila. The staff are lively and the food is delicious. It’s a great place to have a party or start the evening.

If you are looking for somewhere completely different to dine, then we can suggest ‘Camelot’, a medieval banquet restaurant that is extremely popular. It’s ideal for trying new foods in a completely different setting. The famous chef Vlad Atlas conjures amazing European cuisine dishes and guest will be entertained by live music and acts. Many famous people have dined here, including Bill Clinton when he came to visit. St Petersburg's only floating luxury restaurant is the New Island and it is here where diners can enjoy amazing views of the city from the Neva river whilst enjoying a splendid meal. The only thing that matches the view is the food with many fresh fish specialties all prepared and cooked on board in the ships state of the art kitchen. The New Island Restaurant-Ship is a very special dining experience and would be an excellent evening option whilst on a luxury break in St Petersburg.