Key vocabulary

First things first, let’s learn some key words: 

  • Вегетарианский (vegetariansky) – “vegetarian”; characterizes a dish that doesn’t contain meat or fish, but can contain dairy products and eggs;
  • Веганский (vegansky) or постный (postnyi) – “vegan” or “lenten” (anything that can be consumed during Orthodox Lent); characterizes a dish that doesn’t contain any animal products;
  • Мясо (myaso) – “meat”; без мяса (bez myasa) – “without meat”; мясные блюда (myasnye blyuda) – “dishes with meat”;
  • Яйца (yaytsa) – “eggs”; без яиц (bez yaits) – “without eggs”;
  • Молоко (moloko) – “milk”; растительное молоко (rastitelnoe moloko) – “plant-based milk”.

Typically, you would just need to say that you are vegetarian for people to understand what you are looking for. Be mindful of the vegan vs vegetarian distinction, though. For instance, if you are at a new cafe or the university canteen and you are looking for something completely without animal products, it might be quicker just to ask for postnoye. 

Shopping

St. Petersburg does deserve its unofficial title of Russia’s most vegetarian-friendly city: apart from quite a few dedicated vegetarian & vegan stores, you can find many plant-based staples (such as plant-based “dairy,” hummus, or tofu) at almost any grocery store (Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Lenta, VkusVill, etc.). 

Read also: How to Shop Like a Local in St. Petersburg 

The easiest to find among dedicated plant-based products would be milk, with an abundance of brands on offer. One of the most common ones here is Nemoloko (literally: “not milk”), now offering oat, buckwheat, and almond milk varieties. Recently, they’ve also come out with an oat yogurt line. 

Another local favorite, though a little on the pricier side, is Bite’s – they have hazelnut, macadamia and cashew, soy, and other plant-based milk options. However, they are most famous for their snack bars basically made from pressed dried fruit and nuts, a perfect healthy on-the-go option. In the “healthy foods” aisle, you might also spot their cookies – low on sugar and delicious. 

Credit: dylan nolte on Unsplash

Credit: dylan nolte on Unsplash

Read also: Russian Vegan's Shopping Starter Pack 

If you are looking for something more specific, such as seitan, tempeh, vegan desserts, frozen products or cruelty-free sour jelly, for instance, you can turn to dedicated health food stores. Some of our favorites are: 

Apart from all kinds of meat substitutes, at some of them you can buy packaging-free kitchen and household staples. Just bring your own jars or containers and fill your pantry without any plastic waste. 

You can also order many staples, including plant-based milk and all kinds of canned foods, online on Ozon (see our shopping guide above for details).

Eating out

No worries if you don’t like cooking – there are quite a few places in town that cater to veggie needs for all budgets. A long list of our favorites can be found in this post, but here are some crown jewels of our collection: 

  • Ogurtsy (vegan) – part of an inclusive project, this place on the Fontanka River Embankment offers exclusively plant-based meals in a homely atmosphere. Try their sandwiches and oladushki (mini pancakes).
  • Jiva Burgers (vegan & vegetarian) – as the name has it, this is primarily a burger place: you get to assemble your own, choosing the bread, toppings, and “meat.” Their lunch options can save you even at your hungriest!
  • Stay Gold (vegan) – if you are craving pizza, this is where you’ll find it, delicious and with some original topping options.

For budget-friendly options and wider menus, visit Rada & K and Troitsky Most (several locations). Also, Teremok, the famous blini place, now offers postnye options all year round, including hearty soups, salads, and, of course, blini!

Many coffee shops and cafes these days will have plant-based milk, as well as at least one veggie option on the menu. If these are not marked with the common “green leaf” sign, just ask the staff using the handy vocabulary above.

ITMO’s cafeterias are also leveling up on the plant-based front, thanks to a student-led initiative to include more vegan options. Though they might not be specially marked on the menu, you will definitely find something to sustain you during your busy uni days.

Credit: Kyle Ryan on Unsplash

Credit: Kyle Ryan on Unsplash

Communities

Sometimes, you just need to be with people who understand you instantly – no need for explanation behind your plant-based choices. At ITMO, such a place for all things cruelty-free, conscious consumption, and sustainability is the ITMO.GREEN student club. With their regular meetups and fun events, the club is a true driving force for sustainability at the university: for instance, they are behind the separate waste collection containers you’ll find at all ITMO campuses.

Sustainability

If you wish to embrace other aspects of an eco-friendly lifestyle, you might enjoy these stories we’ve written on the topic:

If you want to learn other aspects of living in St. Petersburg, explore our guides on the city’s public transport, the best ways to save & budget, and cultural essentials.