Moscow is Russia's sprawling capital and largest city, a global metropolis blending centuries of history with modern dynamism. Home to iconic landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow offers world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and a rich cultural scene.
Moscow's culinary scene blends traditional Russian cuisine with Georgian, Central Asian, and European influences, offering everything from hearty borscht to Michelin-starred tasting menus. The city has undergone a restaurant revolution since the 2000s, with modern Russian cuisine now celebrated globally. Georgian restaurants are omnipresent and beloved, Central Asian cuisine is authentic and popular, and European fine dining meets international standards.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Moscow.
Borscht
Deep ruby red beet soup with vegetables, meat, and smetana (sour cream). The most iconic Russian dish.
Where to try: Every Russian restaurant; Café Pushkin does it best
Price: $4-12
Pelmeni
Small meat dumplings served in broth or with sour cream and butter. Russia's ultimate comfort food.
Where to try: Pelmennaya Lyudi, Lepim i Varim, Yolki-Palki
Price: $6-12
Khachapuri
Georgian cheese bread - the Adjarian version with egg and butter is Moscow's current food obsession.
Where to try: Khachapuri restaurant, all Georgian restaurants
Price: $7-10
Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef strips in creamy mushroom sauce - a Russian classic elevated at the best restaurants.
Where to try: Café Pushkin, Yolki-Palki, Zhivago
Price: $14-25
Medovik honey cake
Multi-layer honey sponge cake with cream - Russia's most beloved dessert.
Where to try: Almost every Russian café and restaurant
Price: $4-8
Red caviar blini
Buckwheat pancakes with salmon roe and sour cream - affordable luxury in Russian cuisine.
Where to try: Café Pushkin, GUM Gastronome, Zhivago
Price: $12-20
Olivier salad
Russia's famous potato salad with peas, pickles, eggs, and mayonnaise - ubiquitous at celebrations.
Where to try: Any Russian restaurant
Price: $4-7
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
White Rabbit
Moscow's most acclaimed restaurant, consistently ranked among the world's 50 best restaurants. Chef Vladimir Mukhin creates extraordinary modern Russian cuisine using Siberian and regional ingredients in a glass-enclosed space atop a skyscraper with 360-degree Moscow panoramas.
Known for: World-class panoramic dining with modern Russian cuisine
Smolenskaya Square 3, 16th floor, Moscow, Russia 121099
Café Pushkin
Moscow's most beloved traditional restaurant, serving classic Russian cuisine in a stunning 19th-century mansion setting with three floors themed as a library, apothecary, and terrace. Open 24 hours, the ground floor café is an institution. Beef Stroganoff and Borscht are legendary.
Known for: The quintessential Moscow dining experience in a historic mansion
Tverskoy Boulevard 26A, Moscow, Russia 125009
Twins Garden
Award-winning restaurant run by twin brothers Sergey and Ivan Berezutsky who source from their own farm to create innovative seasonal menus. Celebrated for transforming humble Russian ingredients into extraordinary dishes. Multiple awards and consistently praised by international critics.
Known for: Farm-to-table modern Russian cuisine from celebrated twin chefs
Strastnoy Boulevard 8A, Moscow, Russia 127006
Selfie
Celebrated chef Anatoly Kazakov's showcase restaurant presenting modern Russian cuisine with elaborate presentations and extraordinary local seasonal ingredients. The restaurant name reflects the chef's personal culinary identity - a self-portrait through food.
Known for: Artistic modern Russian cuisine by one of Moscow's top chefs
Novinsky Boulevard 31, Moscow, Russia 121099
Savva
Refined modern Russian cuisine served in the magnificent Art Nouveau surroundings of the historic Metropol Hotel opposite the Bolshoi Theatre. Chef Andrey Shmakov creates seasonal dishes celebrating Russian culinary heritage with a contemporary approach. One of Moscow's most prestigious addresses.
Known for: Fine dining in a historic Art Nouveau hotel setting opposite Bolshoi Theatre
Teatralny Proezd 2 (Metropol Hotel), Moscow, Russia 109012
Sixty
Elevated European and Russian cuisine on the 60th floor of Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy with arguably the most spectacular panoramic views of Moscow. French-influenced contemporary cooking with excellent wine selection and impeccable service.
Known for: Panoramic dining on the 60th floor of a Moscow River skyscraper
Kosmodamianskaya Embankment 52, Building 6, 60th floor, Moscow
Khachapuri
Moscow's most popular Georgian restaurant chain specializing in the famous cheese-filled bread in all its regional variations. The Adjarian-style khachapuri with egg and butter is irresistible. Khinkali dumplings are equally celebrated. Relaxed atmosphere beloved by Muscovites.
Known for: Authentic Georgian bread and dumplings in a casual setting
Bolshoy Kozlovsky Lane 10, Moscow, Russia 101000
Mama Zoya
Beloved Georgian restaurant serving traditional dishes in a warm, family atmosphere. Named for a beloved Georgian grandmother figure, the restaurant serves chakhokhbili chicken stew, hearty khinkali, grilled meats, and excellent Georgian wines from Kakheti region.
Known for: Authentic Georgian home cooking with excellent Georgian wines
Frunzenskaya Embankment 4, Moscow, Russia 119146
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
European
Sixty
Strelka Bar
Ugolek
Vogue Café
Mendeleev Bar & Restaurant
Brasserie Pushkin
Italian
Uilliam's
Il Patio
Piazza Rossa
Tarantino Restaurant
Georgian
Khachapuri
Mama Zoya
Mizandari
Modern Russian
White Rabbit
Savva
Zhivago
Russian Dumplings
Pelmennaya Lyudi
Lepim i Varim
Specialty Coffee
Double B Coffee & Tea
Shaggy Dog Coffee
Artisan Bakery
Bulka Bakery
Brunch
Café Mesto
Central Asian
Chaikhona No.1
Classic Russian
Café Pushkin
Contemporary Russian
Selfie
Farm
Lavka-Lavka
Georgian Dumplings
Khinkali House
International Café
Coffeemania
International Food Hall
Danilovsky Market Food Court
Japanese
Ramen Like Crazy
Middle Eastern
Shawarma Republic
Modern Russian Farm
Twins Garden
Russian Café
Grabli
Russian Café Chain
Shokoladnitsa
Russian Deli And Café
GUM Gastronome No.1
Russian Home Cooking
Mumu
Russian Street Food
Pirogi
Seafood
Burger & Lobster Moscow
Soviet
Stolovaya №57 (GUM Canteen)
Steakhouse
Myasnoj Club
Traditional Russian
Yolki-Palki
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Pirogi
Freshly baked stuffed pastry pockets with various fillings (meat, cabbage, mushroom, sweet)
Find it at: Street kiosks near metro stations throughout Moscow
Shawarma
Moscow's most popular street food - meat wraps with vegetables and sauce
Find it at: Street kiosks and fast food shops throughout the city
Blini from kiosks
Thin pancakes served sweet with jam or condensed milk, or savory with meat fillings
Find it at: Street stalls in parks and pedestrian areas
GUM ice cream
Famous Soviet-recipe ice cream cones from GUM's historic parlor, eaten while walking Red Square
Find it at: GUM department store, Red Square
Shashlyk
Grilled skewered meat available at parks and outdoor markets in summer
Find it at: Gorky Park, Izmailovo Park, summer festivals
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Danilovsky Market
Moscow's best modern food market with artisan vendors, food court, and fresh produce
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Dorogomilovsky Market
Traditional market with fresh Russian produce, meats, dairy, and excellent pickled vegetables
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Izmailovo Market (for food)
Huge weekend market with some food vendors selling Russian sweets, honey, and preserved foods
Hours: Sat-Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Central Market (Tsentralny Rynok)
Renovated central market in the Sadovaya ring with premium food vendors and restaurant
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Russians eat lunch as their main meal (1-3PM); dinner portions can be smaller
Bread is always on the table in Russian restaurants - try the dark rye bread
Tipping 10% is standard and expected at sit-down restaurants
Many of the best restaurants require advance reservations - book online
Georgian food is excellent throughout Moscow - don't miss khachapuri and khinkali
Stolovaya (Soviet-style cafeteria) lunch is the best value for authentic food
- Vegetarian
- Growing vegetarian options in modern restaurants. Traditional Russian cuisine has many vegetable-based dishes (borscht, salads, mushroom dishes). Georgian cuisine offers excellent vegetarian options (lobiani, pkhali).
- Halal
- Halal food available at Central Asian restaurants (Chaikhona No.1) and Caucasian restaurants. Halal grocery stores in southern Moscow neighborhoods.
- Gluten free
- Limited gluten-free options in traditional Russian restaurants but modern restaurants are increasingly accommodating. Notify staff in advance.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 300-600 RUB per meal ($3-7) | Street food, stolovayas, and fast food chains |
| Mid-range | 1000-2500 RUB per meal ($11-28) | Sit-down restaurants, Georgian and casual dining |
| Upscale | 5000+ RUB per meal ($55+) | Fine dining restaurants like White Rabbit, Twins Garden, Selfie |