Malyy Prospekt P.S. 54-56
Spanning between Northwest Russia and Finland, the region ofKarelia is full of deep forests and pure lakes. This landscape has directly shaped the local cuisine. Here, fish is more prevalent than meat, and forest berries and mushrooms can be found in everything from soups and porridges to drinks and desserts.
You can try traditional Karelian dishes at Karjala, a cafe at the Balagan gastro market. In addition to main courses like kalakeitto (fish soup) and trout steak, be sure to try the famous pasties, kalitkas, with cranberries or sea buckthorn.
Severa
Uralskaya St. 21
Severa is a cozy cafe near the Primorskaya metro station that celebrates the cuisine of Finno-Ugric peoples from the Komi Republic. The menu is focused on ingredients that are traditional for them, such as cloudberry, venison, and fish. For example, you can try sugudai, a delicacy made with raw white fish. Among other peculiar options is bread produced at a local monastery and… crayfish necks. Yep, the delicacy after which they named a flower and a type of candy!
Murmanchane
Bolshaya Zelenina St. 2
Another place to mark on the map for those who love authentic Northern vibes is named after Murmansk, a city in the far northwest part of Russia (murmanchane means “residents of Murmansk”).
The founders of the restaurant describe its concept as “Artic cuisine.” The menu features products sourced from Murmansk Oblast, such as dried venison and Teriberka-style borscht with crab meat.
Tea lovers will also appreciate their herbal drinks. One of them is actually infused with… moss. Surely, you’ve never tried that before!
Regions
Zhukovskogo St. 10
More of a high-end place, Regions is a restaurant where you can try not one, but five local Russian cuisines: North-Western, Southern, Siberian, Central, and Far Eastern.
Among the ingredients that will impress even the most experienced foodies are, for example, mushroom and pine tree (sic!) sauce, as well as corn marzipan and honeysuckle. For a beverage, try one of their non-alcoholic cocktails with local ingredients like gooseberries and even hackberry blossoms.
Need more culinary suggestions? See our recommendations on refreshing summer dishes and beverages or top Russian fast food chains.
