Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city and its cultural capital, built on 42 islands at the mouth of the Neva River. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, it served as the imperial capital for over two centuries and is home to some of the world's greatest museums, palaces, and architectural masterpieces.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Saint Petersburg through its food.
Central Saint Petersburg Food Walk
Explore the historic center on foot with a local guide, tasting classic Russian dishes at neighborhood cafes, market stalls, and specialist shops. Includes stops at Kuznyechny Market, a Soviet-era donut shop, a Georgian bakery, and a traditional Russian restaurant.
Includes: Kuznyechny Market visit · Pyshki donut experience · Georgian khinkali tasting · Homemade sour cream and cheese
Nevsky Prospekt Gourmet Walk
A guided food walk along Nevsky Prospekt exploring the historic boulevard's culinary history, from the Eliseyev Food Emporium to hidden courtyard cafes. Includes tastings of Russian pastries, caviar, and smoked fish.
Includes: Eliseyev Grocery visit · Caviar tasting · Stolle pie sampling · Soviet-era cafe experience
Kuznyechny Market Deep Dive
An intimate guided tour of Saint Petersburg's most famous food market with tastings of local cheeses, honey varieties, pickled vegetables, and homemade preserves. Learn to identify quality ingredients and discover the seasonal produce calendar.
Includes: Artisan cheese tasting · 5 varieties of local honey · Pickled mushroom and vegetable samples · Fresh berry and jam tasting (seasonal)
Imperial Russian Dinner Experience
A private multi-course dinner at a historic Saint Petersburg restaurant recreating dishes from the 19th-century imperial tradition, paired with Russian wines and premium vodka. Includes a brief history of Russian imperial cuisine.
Includes: Blini with Beluga caviar · Royal fish ukha · Beef Stroganoff · Honey cake dessert
Night Street Food Tour
An evening food walk through the Central District and Sennaya Square area, visiting street food stalls, late-night pirozhki bakeries, and a Georgian shawarma shop. Particularly atmospheric during White Nights when the city comes alive after midnight.
Includes: Sennaya Square street food market · Freshly fried pirozhki · Georgian lavash wrap · Cold kvas (fermented bread drink) tasting
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Saint Petersburg's food scene.
Street food tours
Street food walks focused on pirozhki, blini, shawarma, and Soviet-era snacks available from $25
Market tours
Guided tours of Kuznyechny and Sytny markets with tastings from $25
Restaurant tours
Multi-course Russian dining experiences at historic restaurants from $60
Specialty tours
Vodka tasting tours, caviar experiences, and banya-and-dinner packages from $40
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Saint Petersburg home with you.
Russian Kitchen Masterclass
Learn to prepare three classic Russian dishes — borscht, pelmeni (dumplings), and blini — in a home kitchen setting with a professional cook. Eat what you make with Russian vodka and tea.
Soviet Cuisine Workshop
A fun and nostalgic cooking class focused on Soviet-era recipes — Olivier salad, Shuba (herring under a fur coat), and Pirozhki. Includes stories about Soviet food culture.
Blini and Caviar Morning
Learn the art of making perfect thin Russian blini with different fillings, paired with a caviar tasting — red salmon, pink, and a touch of black — with chilled vodka. A quintessential Saint Petersburg luxury experience.
DIY self-guided food tour
Create your own Saint Petersburg food tour following this route through the historic center
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1
Stop 1: Pyshechnaya on Bolshaya Konyushennaya (8AM) — Soviet donut breakfast with coffee
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2
Stop 2: Kuznyechny Market (9:30AM) — Browse and taste cheeses, honey, and pickles
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3
Stop 3: Stolle Bakery on Voznesensky (11AM) — Sample traditional Russian meat and apple pies
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4
Stop 4: Chainaya Lozhka on Nevsky (12:30PM) — Quick lunch of borscht and blini
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5
Stop 5: Eliseyev Grocery (2PM) — Browse the ornate Art Nouveau food emporium
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6
Stop 6: Double B Coffee (3PM) — Specialty coffee break
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7
Stop 7: Khochu Kharcho (6PM) — Georgian khinkali and khachapuri dinner
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8
Stop 8: El Copitas or Bar Grebeshok (9PM) — Evening cocktails or craft beer
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
The business lunch (biznes-lanch) offered at most restaurants from 12–3PM is the best value meal of the day
Georgian food (khinkali, khachapuri) is enormously popular in Saint Petersburg and available at dozens of excellent restaurants
Kuznyechny Market has the best artisan cheeses and honeys — buy as edible souvenirs
Russian craft beer has improved dramatically — Bar Grebeshok and James Cook Pub have excellent selections
Vodka etiquette: drink it cold, in one shot, with a small zakuski (appetizer) of bread, pickle, or herring — never drink vodka with nothing to eat