Moscow Shopping: Markets, Malls and Souvenirs
From historic food halls to luxury department stores and hidden designer boutiques – your complete guide to shopping in the Russian capital.
Moscow is a colossal city with a shopping scene to match. From high-end luxury on historic streets to Soviet-chic souvenirs and avant-garde local designers, the Russian capital is a treasure trove for those who love to browse. Whether you are hunting for a vintage fur hat, a plate of Georgian khachapuri, or a limited-edition pair of trainers — Moscow delivers. Plan your time wisely because from the sprawling food markets to the loft-quarter concept stores, you will need a few days to do it justice. This Moscow shopping guide is designed for visitors who want Moscow local markets, luxury department stores, and practical ideas for souvenirs from Moscow in one route.
Moscow’s Best Markets
In the modern metropolis, a market is no longer just a place to buy potatoes. It is a cultural hub, an architectural landmark, and a dining destination. Moscow’s markets have evolved into gleaming gastronomic spaces where you can eat Michelin-starred noodles at 10:00 or sip cocktails under a restored glass roof. For travellers comparing Moscow local markets, Depo.Moscow, Danilovsky Market, and the Central Market show how food halls double as cultural stops.
Depo.Moscow
One of Moscow’s largest gastro-markets was opened in 2019. Under one roof you will find dozens of bars and restaurants, as well as stalls selling sweets, fresh fruit, cheeses, perfumery, and just about everything else. You can come to Depo for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, pop in for a cocktail without any special occasion, or sample something unusual — the options are endless.
But the most interesting thing about this place is its history: the vast gastro-market opened on the site of a pre-revolutionary tram depot. Later, the depot became a trolleybus depot, as the actual trolleybuses placed inside now remind us.
Among the most popular corners are mussels at Mollusca, Georgian cuisine at TSOMI, the stylish family café Enot i Kryzhovnik (Raccoon and Gooseberry), and New Russian Pelmeni. Depo.Moscow is located on Lesnaya Street, a short walk from Mendeleevskaya or Belorusskaya metro stations.
Address: Lesnaya Street, 20с3
Tri Vokzala. Depo
A branch of the gastro-market on Lesnaya Street, the Tri Vokzala. Depo cluster is convenient for those travelling by train from Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky, or Kazansky stations — you can pop in for a bite before or after your journey.
The pride of this place is the bar Station with the longest bar counter in Moscow, bringing together several bars with different alcoholic and non-alcoholic menus. In summer, the roof and terraces open up.
Kolobok, offering Russian cuisine, is worth your attention. At this café, you can try chebureki (deep-fried meat pastries), pelmeni (Russian dumplings), vinaigrette (a beetroot and vegetable salad), or beef stroganoff. You can also drop by MAMA ROASTA for perfect roast chicken, and Sabbia for sand-brewed coffee and Eastern sweets. Also, concerts are held here regularly in the evenings, so come for the great food and entertainment.
Address: Novoryazanskaya Street, 23с1
Danilovsky Market
A small and very cosy modern market in the southern part of Moscow (a couple of minutes’ walk from Tulskaya metro station), Danilovsky Market was one of the first in Moscow to operate as a new food court. Previously it was one of the city’s most famous grocery markets. Today, it brings together more than 40 restaurant concepts featuring national cuisines from around the world: 36 world cuisines and 18 street-food cafés.
Here you can try chudu, thin Dagestani flatbreads with savoury fillings, at the Dagestanskaya Lavka; Uzbek samsa, flaky baked pastries filled with meat or vegetables, and lagman, a hearty noodle soup with meat and vegetables, at NON; and wonderful pies with every filling imaginable at Lyubov Pirogova. They also serve Peking duck, octopus, Armenian dolma, Moroccan tagine, and burgers made from the best Russian beef. Come and taste for yourself!
Address: Mytnaya Street, 74
Central Market
A fashionable contemporary space in central Moscow, bringing together over 60 unique gourmet concepts. Here you can try Indian or Chinese cuisine, pilaf or ramen, unusual desserts and cocktails, and in fine weather — dance outside.
The easiest way to reach the Central Market is from the Trubnaya or Tsvetnoy Bulvar metro stations, or if you are up for a stroll, take the metro to Chekhovskaya or Turgenevskaya and get off there.
Address: Rozhdestvenskiy Boulevard, 1
Izmailovsky Vernissage
Want to bring back something local and unusual from Moscow? Then head to Izmailovo: here you will definitely find a unique souvenir. It is Moscow’s largest market for folk crafts, antiques, and traditional souvenirs. You can buy Gzhel, blue-and-white Russian porcelain; Khokhloma, brightly painted wooden tableware; ushanka hats, traditional fur hats with ear flaps; antiques, vintage crockery, furniture, leather and fur goods, paintings, as well as surviving items of Soviet daily life that have now almost become antiques. Bonus — no one else will have the same thing! Trading is most active here on weekends. It is one of the best places for souvenirs from Moscow if you want handmade objects, Soviet-era finds, and traditional crafts rather than standard airport gifts.
The Vernissage is located near the Kremlin in Izmailovo, so you can combine shopping with a walk and a visit to several nearby museums.
Address: Izmaylovskoye Highway, 73
Luxury shopping
Moscow’s taste for luxury, glamour, and beauty rather lives up to the old idea of the broad Russian soul. It has been part of the city’s character for centuries, and some of its finest shops have been here since the late 19th century. Today, there are still plenty of places to buy elegant, high-end goods, from historic department stores to exclusive boutiques.
The street of expensive boutiques in Moscow is Tretyakovsky Drive: home to Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Kiton, and other premium brands. You can also look inside department stores. Foreign visitors can claim tax-free shopping on purchases over 10 000 RUB.
Many savvy travellers prefer to stay in Moscow boutique hotels located near TSUM and other major shopping centres — it’s stylish, trendy, and wonderfully convenient. Waking up just steps from the city’s best luxury retail, fine dining, and vibrant nightlife makes for a truly effortless and indulgent experience.
GUM
The Main Universal Store — that is the full name of the shop that has stood in Red Square since 1893. GUM is not only a department store but also a Russian-style architectural monument. GUM features more than 100 leading global brands, but special attention should be paid to local Russian shops: for example, pop into Khokhloma & Alena Akhmadullina, which offers premium clothing with a Russian flavour.
You can visit GUM even if you don’t plan to buy anything: it has a wonderful vibe! Relax by the fountain, try the legendary Soviet ice cream, listen to music, take photos, or rest at one of the cafés. You’ll find Cafe Pushkin, the Abrau-Durso Champagne Bar and Canteen No. 57, which recreates the atmosphere of a Soviet-era public dining hall. For edible gifts, head to Gastronom No. 1. The best part is that you can hardly miss it: GUM overlooks Red Square, with entrances from Nikolskaya Street, Ilyinka, and Vetoshny Lane.
Address: Red Square, 3
TSUM
TSUM is a seven-storey department store standing between Neglinnaya Street, Kuznetsky Most, and Petrovka. It sells premium brand goods. Seasonal sales with generous discounts are held here regularly, so you may well find a bargain.
On the ground floor, you’ll find cosmetics and fragrance, bags, accessories, jewellery, and watches. The second floor is dedicated to menswear and footwear, while the third is for womenswear. The fourth floor houses childrenswear, youth fashion, jeans, lingerie, and swimwear, and the fifth is devoted to homeware and travel goods. The store also has three cafés, a grocery shop, a dry cleaner, a shoe repair service, and underground parking. For lunch or dinner, head to Buro TSUM on the fifth floor. Its menu plays on contrasts, pairing classic crab dishes and indulgent desserts with comfort food and seasonal produce.
Address: Petrovka Street, 2
Petrovsky Passage
Petrovsky Passage is a shopping centre with more than a century of history. In the early 20th century, it was home to some of Moscow’s finest retail pavilions, including shops that supplied the imperial court. Its most striking feature is the glass roof spanning the arcades, which fills the space with natural light. Flower fairs are held here regularly, so it is worth dropping in just to admire the displays. The selection includes premium brands such as Bosco, Etro, and Max Mara.
This is a good choice for anyone who prefers calm, unhurried shopping. At Petrovsky Passage, you can try on selected pieces in comfortable private fitting rooms, with skilled tailors on hand to alter your chosen garments. In fine weather, stop for coffee or lemonade on the open-air terrace of Bosco Cafe, overlooking Neglinnaya Street.
Address: Petrovka Street, 10
Local Designers & Boutiques
‘Something unusual’ is often what experienced travellers want from a souvenir. In Moscow, you can find much more than matryoshkas (nesting dolls) and mugs with city landmarks printed on them: there are places that sell the same stylish, practical things Muscovites use themselves. And browsing is half the pleasure. This section of the Moscow shopping guide is useful if you are also comparing the best neighbourhoods in Moscow for design shops, cafés, and creative clusters. Several of the best neighbourhoods in Moscow for shopping are also convenient for restaurants and galleries.
Flacon Design Factory
Flacon Design Factory is a contemporary urban space on the site of a former crystal bottle factory. In the 19th century, it supplied A. Ralle & Co., Moscow’s first perfumery factory. Today, the area has been given a new life as a fashionable creative quarter.
The Design Factory is built around freedom, support for niche projects, a shared ecosystem for its residents — from lofts to showrooms — the idea of ‘a city within a city’, and eco-minded initiatives such as waste collection and recycled-material production. But you do not need to think too much about the philosophy to enjoy it: you can catch a show at Urban, buy jewellery made with real meteorites at Made in Cosmos, or plan a food route through the area, from the fish bistro Okolomorya to the Kyomei izakaya bar, and the Hanoi-style noodle shop Ma Mi. There is easily enough here for a whole weekend.
Hlebozavod No. 9
On the site of a former bread factory, you’ll now find some of Moscow’s trendiest shops and cafés. Here you can browse comics, clothes by Russian designers, DJ equipment, and much more. Come for some of the city’s best raincoats at the SHU showroom, a St. Petersburg outerwear brand, and the legendary Dva Myacha trainers — a revived Soviet-era sneaker brand. Dozens of Russian labels are represented here, from Arny Praht accessories and P.Y.E. eyewear to Darkrain jewellery.
Address: Novodmitrovskaya Street, 1с1
Souvenir Ideas
Choosing gifts for family and friends is one of the pleasures of any trip. Moscow has something for every taste: traditional sweets made to recipes that have barely changed for 50 to 100 years, signature tea blends, stylish trainers, and even locally made mascara. For reliable souvenirs from Moscow, combine the official Made in Moscow pavilions with historic sweet shops and craft galleries.
Candy Box (Moscow Tea House)
This unusual art pavilion on Noviy Arbat introduces visitors to Moscow’s food traditions, sells products from local brands, part of the Made in Moscow project, and provides information about the city’s tourist attractions. The space presents Moscow tea-drinking culture in a modern urban setting. Its tea room serves Moscow tea, the capital’s signature blend, along with herbal and berry infusions and cold tea drinks. You’ll also find classic city pastries, including kalachi, ring-shaped Russian bread rolls, buns, pies, sochniki (sweet pastry turnovers filled with tvorog, a soft curd cheese), and ‘Moskva’ cake. The pavilion is easy to spot: it looks like a giant box of Moscow chocolates.
Address: Noviy Arbat Street, 19
Made in Moscow
The city’s official souvenir pavilions offer much more than a Candy Box, a Moscow-themed pavilion designed to look like a giant box of chocolates. Similar shops can be found on popular tourist streets and in shopping centres, while the largest Made in Moscow market is on Bolotnaya Square. Here you’ll find clothing and accessories, cosmetics and fragrance, decorative items, and tableware made by Moscow producers. The cosmetics are worth a look: you can buy, for example, perfume inspired by particular Moscow metro stations, or the fashionable brown mascara Moscow Chocolate.
Address: Bolotnaya Square
Brand Moscow
Looking for something memorable? The Moscow brand offers clothing, accessories and stationery in the city’s traditional red-and-white colours. You can choose a T-shirt or hoodie, a shopper bag, a stylish water bottle, a notebook, a keyring, or a cardholder. A particularly stylish souvenir is a pair of trainers created in collaboration with Dva Myacha, a revived Soviet-era trainer brand: the design is minimalist, well-proportioned, and comfortable.
You can buy Moscow brand items at tourist information centres, partner souvenir shops — for example, at VDNH, the Soviet-era exhibition park now used for museums, pavilions, and events, or at the Tretyakov Gallery — and in art pavilions.
Alyonka Shops
You can hardly miss them: these bright shops, with giant sweets in the windows, are dotted around the city. Alyonka shops sell sweets from some of Russia’s best-known confectionery factories, including Krasny Oktyabr (or Red October), and Babaevsky. Look out for classic Moscow chocolates such as Stolichnye, filled with fondant liqueur; Ogni Moskvy (Moscow Lights); and Zamoskvorechye, a chocolate named after the historic district south of the Moscow River. Alyonka also sells chocolate, fruit pastila, a soft fruit confection similar to fruit leather, marshmallow, legendary Tula gingerbread, and takeaway coffee.
Address: Arbat Street, 1
Insider Tips
- Foreign visitors may be eligible for tax-free shopping in luxury stores such as GUM, TSUM, and Petrovsky Passage on purchases over 10 000 RUB (the data is valid for 2026). Always ask for the form and show your passport.
- The best time to shop and visit markets is on weekday mornings, before noon. Markets such as Depo.Moscow and Danilovsky get very crowded after 19:00 and on weekends.
- Generous discounts of 40–70% are common at TSUM during the summer sales, usually in late June and July, and the winter sales in January. These are the best times to look for luxury bargains.
- Many high-end shops offer personal service, private fitting rooms and, in some cases, Arabic-speaking staff. Do not hesitate to ask for VIP assistance.
- Many markets and department stores are highly photogenic: GUM’s interiors, Depo’s trolleybuses, and the glass roof of Petrovsky Passage are all worth photographing. At the flea market in Izmailovo, always be respectful of vendors before taking pictures.
- Use this Moscow shopping guide as a flexible route: pair Moscow local markets with nearby museums, cafés or Moscow boutique hotels to avoid crossing the city too often.
