National Classics

• Borscht: A beetroot soup served with sour cream and garlic bread, with regional variations in Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.
• Beef Stew (Zharkoye) and Chicken Kiev: Hearty stews cooked in stone pots and buttery chicken rolls are staples of traditional Russian cuisine.
• Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings) and Blini (Russian Pancakes): Dumplings served with sour cream, pancakes wrapped around caviar or jam.
• Caviar: Black caviar is luxurious, while red caviar is more affordable; both are classically served on buttered toast.
• Honey Cake (Medovik) and Kvass: Layered honey and cream cake paired with a malt-based drink — a perfect combo of dessert and refreshment.
• Vodka: Best enjoyed with pickled cucumbers, mushrooms, and black bread; sip in moderation.

Where to Eat

• Moscow: The underground food court at GUM, White Rabbit (a frequent feature on the Black Swan list), and Danilovsky Market.
• Saint Petersburg: Classic Russian restaurants along Nevsky Prospekt, literary cafés (like Café Pushkin), doughnut rings, and salted fish sandwiches.
• Irkutsk: Buuz (Buryat steamed dumplings) and omul fish skewers.
• Vladivostok: King crab, sea urchins, and Russian seafood platters — prices are more budget-friendly than back home.

Practical Tips

• Portions in Russia are large — a soup and main course are usually enough for two. No need to tip at restaurants where a 5–10% service charge is included.
• Affordable chain canteens (Stolovaya) offer meals for 200–400 rubles, ideal for budget travelers.
• Most restaurant menus are in Russian; use a translation app to take a photo of the menu.
• Vodka, chocolate, and canned caviar from supermarkets make safe and reliable souvenirs.