Best Russian Cuisine Restaurants in Moscow
Get ready to taste shchi, dumplings, and piping-hot pies straight from the oven!
A trip to Russia’s capital wouldn’t be complete without sampling some traditional Russian dishes. After all, local delicacies are incredibly diverse — and inventive chefs are constantly putting new twists on them. Here’s our guide to the top spots in Moscow for trying authentic Russian cuisine.
Cafe Pushkin
One of Moscow’s oldest and most iconic restaurants, Café Pushkin is named after the great Russian writer himself. Much like his work, the menu blends Russian and French influences — unsurprising, given how intertwined their culinary histories are. Just think of the Olivier salad, a staple of New Year’s celebrations all across Russia — yet it was first created by a French chef! At Café Pushkin, you’ll find a dozen traditional salads, starters like herring with potatoes or stuffed pike, various pickled treats, hearty soups, and over ten hot main courses. The historic interiors of the Apothecary and Library rooms make the whole experience feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and dinner can easily turn into a full-on tasting session.
Address: Tverskoy Boulevard, 26А
Gvidon
Another Russian-French fusion restaurant, but with a completely different feel, Gvidon takes inspiration from Pushkin’s The Tale of Tsar Saltan. The sea plays a major role in the story, as it does at this eatery: the menu leans heavily towards fish and seafood. The interior is like something out of a fairy tale with its sizable chandeliers, wave-like ceiling decor, and enchanting patterns on the portières. Expect extremely fresh oysters and scallops, creative tartares and salads, and a range of hot dishes from crab cakes to ribeye steak. Like all White Rabbit Family spots, Gvidon is perfect for those looking to discover Russian flavours through a modern lens.
Address: Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, 5
Kalinka on Neglinka
Right in the heart of Moscow, Kalinka features Soviet-style murals, bold red chandeliers, and mirrors framed in carved wood. The menu mixes traditional Russian favourites with inventive twists: think rabbit pâté and cured pork fat to start, Sakhalin crab salad, or grilled duck. But what’s the real highlight? Cherished classics with a creative spin. If you’re already familiar with Russian cuisine, this is your chance to dig deeper — try the pearl barley with pike caviar, Olivier salad with roasted pork, or pulled goose with millet.
Address: Neglinnaya Street, 8/10
Matryoshka
The name says it all — just like the famous nesting dolls, this restaurant is all about layers of tradition. Spacious and elegant, Matryoshka offers a warm welcome to those who enjoy Russian home-style cooking. Expect blinis with caviar (decidedly not just average pancakes), homemade pickles, dumplings, savoury pies, and rustic loaves — everyday comfort food done beautifully. They even have a small shop, so you can take home some frozen dumplings, salads, or desserts.
Address: Kutuzovsky Avenue, 2/1с6
Ruski
Located on the 85th floor of the OKO Tower in the Moscow International Business Center, Ruski boasts sky-high views and a menu to match. This is a place for modern Russian cuisine at its finest, with chefs from across the country sharing their own recipes and reviving old ones that have stood the test of time. Expect seasonal salads, soups made from local ingredients, oysters, creative starters, and an impressive selection of mains — everything from venison to baby spinach gets the gourmet treatment.
Address: 1st Krasnogvardeysky Drive, 21с2
Uhvat
Uhvat revolves around its traditional Russian oven, used to cook many of its standout dishes. The setting is warm and understated — brick walls, muted tones, and wide-open spaces perfect for a long satisfying meal with friends. For the adventurous, try the six-layer kulebyaka pie stuffed with fish and seafood, or the curd-based dessert with apples and lingonberries. You’ll also find unusual dumplings called kundyumy, filled with buckwheat, mushrooms, and duck. But if you’re not ready to dive that deep, there’s plenty of comfort food on offer: pies, porridges, salads, and hearty mains.
Address: Rochdelskaya Street, 15с41
White Rabbit
One of Moscow’s most celebrated restaurants, White Rabbit is a must for anyone looking to mark a special occasion. It’s famous for its imaginative take on Russian cuisine, top-notch cocktails, and sweeping views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Make sure to book ahead — especially if you want a table by the panoramic windows. Go for anything with mushrooms — they’re absolute magic here — and of course, the classics: aspic, dumplings, fish soup, and stuffed cabbage rolls.
Address: Smolenskaya Square, 3
Niki
Located on the ground floor of the legendary historic Khudozhestvenny cinema, Niki offers modern Russian cuisine in a chic, sunlit space. Whether it’s a quiet weekday lunch or a romantic dinner before or after a film, this place hits the mark. There’s a weekend breakfast menu from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and plenty of seasonal specials such as Lithuanian cold borscht or a mulberry dessert with lemon and sour cream. But the real magic lies in the playful twists: Kamchatka crab-stuffed doughnuts and mini-chebureki, toasts topped with sprats or forshmak, blinis with northern berries, and a macadamia-cream take on Napoleon cake.
Address: Arbatskaya Square, 14с1
