The Best Restaurants in St. Petersburg

Traveling to Russia most tourists head for Moscow and St. Petersburg and notice there is a vast difference between these two great cities. Where Moscow is hectic and fast-paced the more sedate St. Petersburg is renowned for its historical buildings and its culture.

St. Petersburg is also recognized for its excellent cuisine, and the fine restaurants of the city are now creating classic dishes but re-interpreted for the modern palette. Here are some of the very best places to eat in this great old city.

Palkin

One of the oldest eating establishments in St. Petersburg is Palkin, and it still exists in its original location on the Nevsky Propspect. Many famous people from Russian history have dined at this restaurant including, Tchaikovsky, Leskov, Dostoevsky, and Chekov.

Palkin oozes charm and opulence with its palatial interior bedecked in glittering chandeliers, polished wooden floors and unique wall frescoes. Diners immerse themselves in dishes that represent the cuisine of the Russian aristocracy.

Abajour

Quite different to our first auspicious restaurant, Abajour is a cozy cafe that you can settle back in and make yourself at home. The interior is modern and stylish and the staff have been well trained to provide the best service without being too obtrusive.

The food at this great laid-back establishment is mixed, offering great crispy salads and tasty appetizers to some of the best cooked steaks in the city, which are made from prime cuts of meat to produce the most juicy and flavorsome steaks.

Chekhov

If you were to picture in your mind a typical Russian restaurant then think of Chekhov. The dark wooden interior is complimented with round wooden tables and chairs and lamps above to illuminate each dining area.

Stepping through the doors you are transported back to 19^th Century Russia and the food complements the surroundings. Chekhov serves classic Russian cuisine so you can expect to be delighted with jellied pork legs, fried potatoes with porcini mushrooms, cabbage with apples and cranberries, sturgeon and ruddy pies, and of course smoked pork ribs.

Philibert

Philibert can be found on Kolomenskaya, and is an establishment that focuses on Provencal cuisine. The cafe has a very modern feel to it, with large panoramic windows giving great city views. The furniture is of modern design made from light wood, and large wrought iron mirrors hang from the walls that reflect even more light into the airy dining room.

The cuisine is mainly French, and typically detailed so you can actually find five different types of quiche on the menu. To add more French flavor there are succulent frog legs that are stewed in a tangy citrus flavored sauce. And no Provencal restaurant would be worth its salt without Salad Nicoise on the menu, and Philibert does not let you down.

St. Peterburg is a culinary delight, many restaurants pay homage to classic Russian cuisine, but there are other cafes, bistros and diners that have embraced other cuisines from around the world and give a more modern interpretation of what they think Russian food should be.

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