For Tex-Mex aficionados
Branch Garage
Where: Ligovskiy Av. 119k
We’re starting off with a place that caters directly to “chiliheads” – this diner in the vicinity of Ligovsky Prospect (and a 15-minute walk away from ITMO’s Lomo campus) even features a special “HELL MENU” that only includes dishes made with the Carolina Reaper pepper. Ready to risk it all? Opt for the Taco del Infierno, which boasts an impressive "four peppers" rating on the menu (on a scale of three, we assume).
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TOP HOPS. Credit: vk.com/tophopsspb
TOP HOPS
Where: Fontanka River Emb. 55
Yellow Scotch Bonnet, Red Savina, Chipotle Morita – if any of these names light up your inner fire, you’re gonna love this place! All of the tacos, enchiladas, and burritos on offer (including plant-based options) can be made with a wide selection of hot sauces, including Pain 95% or Satan’s Rage. You can even take a bottle home if you’re so inclined!
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Bros Burritos. Credit: vk.com/brosburritos
Bros Burritos
Where: Gorokhovaya St. 57, Mokhovaya St. 26, and four more locations around the city
Now nearly in its 10th year, this spicy wrap chain has spread across St. Petersburg, so you’ll have no trouble finding one near your dorm or apartment. Each dish can be made at your desired level of hotness on a five-point scale; levels 1-3 feature a Carolina Reaper-based sauce, while levels 4-5 will include a drop or two of pure capsaicin! This is certainly not for the faint of heart (or stomach).
For noodle lovers:
Credit: Deeliver (@deeliver) via Unsplash
Slurp Ramen
Where: Zhukovskogo St. 31, 6th Liniya 23, and three more locations around the city
When you just want a massive bowl of something scrumptious, you can’t go wrong with a bowl of ramen. The first in our line-up of noodle shops is Slurp, a popular chain that prides itself on handmade noodles, ramen stock simmered for at least 12 hours, and “XXL-size” portions. When it comes to adding spice to your bowl, cautious customers can start with a simple helping of Sriracha sauce (1,500 Scoville heat units); but braver souls can request some capsaicin oil, measured by drop and rated at a whopping 1.5 million SHU.
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Umami
Where: Razyezzhaya St. 20, Reshetnikova St. 12, and four more locations around the city
It’s no surprise that Umami, which started as just one restaurant near ITMO’s Lomo campus, now has 6 locations (and counting) around the city. The way in which their menu somehow incorporates various elements of Pan-Asian cuisine while retaining their individuality can be attributed to its head chef’s science-based approach to cooking. Their hottest offering? The famed Indonesian Rendang, a dish of spicy stewed beef with coconut milk and rice.
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This fall's seasonal menu at Ultramen includes an ultra-hot pumpkin ramen with Laksa paste, shrimp, and spicy butter. Credit: vk.com/ultramenjpeg
Ultramen
Where: Fontanka River Emb. 59
Another great lunch spot next to the Lomo campus, Ultramen stands out not only for its great food, but also its memorable cyberpunk-ish design. Don’t come looking for basic dishes – experimentation is the name of the game here. And the best example is also the hottest – Carolina Cheesy, which features noodles under a creamy sauce with bacon, squid, egg yolk, and, of course, Carolina Reaper paste. Hold onto your hat!
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Ramen Shifu
Where: Sadovaya St. 45, 8th Liniya 15, Nauki Av. 17k6
The Ramen Shifu chain stands out from its St. Petersburg-based peers due to the focus on Chinese-style Lanzhou noodles – and is popular among the city’s Chinese students (is there a better endorsement than that?). Their “Fiery Ramen” – which, like all others, comes with a choice of six different noodle types – is served with a generous layer of hot oil made with the famed mouth-numbing Sichuan pepper.
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Mashita
Where: Kamennoostrovskiy Av. 38/96
A long-time presence on St. Petersburg’s ramen scene, Mashita has long ago become a cult spot. With its relatively low-key interiors and hidden in a courtyard next to the bustling Petrogradskaya metro station, it always feels like a place only you know about – though the busy tables tell a different story.
Did we miss a spot? Share your favorite spicy food spots in St. Petersburg with us on Telegram or VK and we’ll feature them in our next list! For more guides to the northern capital’s food scene, check out our features on Russian fast food, the best pizza spots in St. Petersburg, the city’s top food markets, and our guide to the tastiest cinnamon buns in town.
