Moscow Russia Travel Guide
Russian cuisine is hearty and often features root vegetables, grains, sour cream (smetana), dill, and various meats (beef, pork, chicken) and fish. Its history and vast geography shaped it, leading to a cuisine that focuses on warmth and sustenance against cold winters.
ingredients include potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots, mushrooms, rye bread, buckwheat, smetana (sour cream), kvas (fermented bread drink), and dill. Flavors are typically savory, sometimes sour from fermented foods, and earthy.
A light meal, often kasha (porridge), blini (pancakes), tvorog (cottage cheese), or eggs.
The main and often heaviest meal, usually between 1 PM and 3 PM. Commonly includes soup, a main course, and a salad. Many dining places provide "business lunch" specials.
Lighter than lunch, typically eaten later in the evening, from 7 PM onwards.
The iconic beetroot soup, often with a dollop of smetana (sour cream).
Discover it in any traditional Russian restaurant.
Small, savory dumplings (pelmeni) with ground meat. Vareniki are similar but larger, with various fillings like potatoes, cheese, or fruits.
A staple, often with smetana or butter.
Thin pancakes with savory or sweet toppings. Sautéed beef pieces in a smetana sauce, often with mushrooms.
Classic Russian fare.
Pirozhki (baked/fried buns), blini from stalls, shawarma, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.
Vodka (chilled and neat), Kvass (fermented rye bread drink), Mors (fruit drink), Chai (black tea), Medovukha (honey-based alcohol).
Moscow has many Michelin-starred restaurants, though some ratings may be paused. White Rabbit, Selfie, and Savva are well-known. They offer modern Russian cuisine or high-end international fare.
Abundant choices, offering diverse cuisines from traditional Russian to Georgian, Uzbek, Italian, and more. Mari Vanna, Café Pushkin, and Dr. Zhivago deliver Russian cuisine with great views.
For inexpensive options, stolovayas (canteens) deliver self-service, traditional Russian meals. Food courts in shopping malls include quick options. Markets like Danilovsky and Tsentralny Rynok feature food stalls. Street vendors sell pirozhki, blini, and shashlik.
A trendy spot for various prepared foods from various cuisines, plus fresh produce.
Highly recommended for local dining experiences.
Similar to Danilovsky, another popular food and deli market, well-liked by locals.
Discover diverse food stalls and products from the area.
Pasta, pizza, and more.
Sushi, ramen, and other specialties.
Authentic dishes and regional favorites.
Flavorful, substantial meals.
Halal options are available, notably in areas with large Muslim populations or near mosques. Numerous Caucasian plus The central area Asian restaurants feature halal choices. Kosher options are more limited.
Found in specific establishments or specialist shops.
Gluten-free and other allergen-aware dining is less prevalent than in some Western countries, but awareness is growing. A translation of your dietary needs in Russian is advisable.
Find out about dining places in advance.
During Maslenitsa (Pancake Week before Lent), blini are the star. New Year celebrations feature an extensive festive table with Salad Olivier, "Herring Under a Fur Coat," and Pelmeni.
Syrniki (fried cottage cheese pancakes), Medovik (layered honey cake), Ptichye Moloko ("Bird's Milk" cake), and Zefir (marshmallow-like confection) are popular treats.
Companies offer culinary lessons that focus on traditional Russian dishes like pelmeni, blini, and borscht.
Food tours explore local markets, street food, and historic dining establishments, delivering insights into the city's gastronomic history.
Opportunities exist through local guides offering individual experiences that connect you with local life.
Farm visits and food producers are less common as direct tourist activities within Moscow itself. They represent possible day trips outside the city.
Seek guided tours for these excursions.
If interested in farm visits, research specialized tour operators that arrange excursions to rural areas surrounding Moscow.
Book in advance, especially during harvest seasons.
Exploring Moscow's diverse culinary landscape can be a satisfying experience. Be open to trying traditional Russian dishes, in addition to sample the wide array of international cuisines available.
