Dine with a View in St. Petersburg

In the Very Heart

Right in the heart of the city, you can find an authentic Chinese restaurant with an open summer terrace that gives you a 360 degree view of the city and its many churches (including the Church of Savior on the Spilled Blood), parks, canals and rooftops. It couldn’t be in a more perfect location. So if you want to enjoy Chinese food with a view of St. Pete, China Gramota on Moika Emb. 7 is the place to be. It’s only a 10-15-minute walk from the Nevskiy Prospekt or Admiralteyskaya metro stations. 

Panoramic views of the rooftops of St. Petersburg, along with a good view of St. Isaac’s Cathedral can be seen from the spacious terrace of the recently opened Sky Wine Bar, just above the Palma Mansion of the Society of German Craftsmen. If you’re looking for a beautiful view on a hot day, this is a great spot. Make sure to pop by the photobooth for a memento of your visit! Bear in mind it’s about a 15-20 minute walk from both Admiralteyskaya and Sadovaya metro stations. Don’t forget to book a table in advance!

Situated on the ninth floor of the Kempinski Hotel Moika 22, the scenic Bellevue restaurant offers a stunning view of Palace Square and the Hermitage, as well as St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Chef Jean-Philippe Dupas’ top-tier menu comes with a steep price, so save this one for a special occasion.

And at the end of Nevsky Prospekt, by the Moskovsky Railway Station, the first point of entry coming in from Moscow, you will find the restaurant Moskva from Ginza Project, right on the top of Stockmann. Here, you have a spectacular view of the most popular street in St. Petersburg, as well as the train station, and Vosstaniya Square from up above. Other Ginza Project spots with a view are the higher-end restaurants Mansarda, with a very closeup view of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and Terrassa right by Kazan Cathedral, – just make sure to ask for outdoor seating here to get the best view. 

Across the Neva

If you cross a few bridges across the Neva to Zayachy Island, just outside the walls of Peter and Paul Fortress, there is a delicious restaurant, Koryushka, named after a popular fish in St. Petersburg. From here you can enjoy great European cuisine and look over at the Neva River, the Hermitage and the St. Petersburg skyline from the North.

Located in the heart of Petrogradsky Island, almost equidistant between Petrogradskaya, Chkalovskaya, Gorkovskaya and Sportivnaya metro stations, Nevesomost has a stunning view of the island and looks onto Peter and Paul Fortress in the distance. Nevesomost means “weightlessness” in Russian and here you truly feel like you’re flying above it all. There is a large indoor area with glass windows where you can look over the city and a smaller courtyard decked out with couches for the hot summer days. The restaurant is located on the 10th floor of Vedensky hotel, and if you’re staying at the hotel, you maybe even be able to get a discount or free drink at the restaurant. Bear in mind that Vedensky hotel only has nine floors, so you will need to head to the 10th floor by foot. Make sure you reserve a spot in advance.

Younost, located north of Petrogradsky Island near Chernaya Rechka metro station, used to be a movie theater but now it’s a beautiful restaurant with an excellent view of parks and greenery during the summer. It is also well-known for its excellent children’s room. Make sure you get a spot by the window for a good view.

Further Out 

If you head south towards the airport, down to Moskovskaya metro station, you’ll find restaurant 41floor. Obvious from the name, it’s quite a tall building and from the 41st floor you have an exquisite view of St. Petersburg from the south up to the center of the city. This an amazing place to see the sunset and the entire city skyline.

Hip and Swanky

And if sitting in a restaurant is not your cup of tea, the popular creative space Loft Etagi has a rooftop that you can visit for 150 rubles with a beautiful view; at Berthold Center you can climb up to their summer rooftop bar and have a nice view of St. Pete rooftops; but the best view of all is from the colonnade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, where you can enjoy a view of the entire city center for just 200 rubles.