Saint Petersburg Restaurant Recommendations from Locals With a Map

I have surveyed several of my trendy Russian friends about where to eat in Saint Petersburg. 

We are talking about places where locals would go.  They may not necessarily be typical Russian cuisine places or luxury spots, just pure gastronomy and the best food in town.

Tip: portions are quite small. Even smaller than in Paris. You may want to order an an appetizer and a main.  

Hands down, Birch is at the top of everyone’s list.

Birch, the tree, is the national symbol for all Russians, however, the restaurant is far from the folk place with Russian cuisine.  Quite to the contrary, in fact, Birch is a modern restaurant where talented chefs create fusion cuisine.

There are about a dozen simple but well-selected wines by the glass.  A glass of champagne is an option as well.

With sleeky Scandinavian stainless steel and light wood interior, the place looks quite upscale, but it is quite affordable.

Birch is so popular, you will need a reservation (call or fill up a form on their website), sometimes at least a week in advance. 

What I love about Russian restaurants, they are open every day for lunch, dinner, and in between. 

3, Kirochnaya street (ул. Кирочная д. 2)

7 (911) 920-3165

Website

Photo from Birch website

CoCoCo bistro 

How about modern and funky Russian cuisine made from seasonal products?

Cococo bistro is a new project by owner Matilda Shnurova and chef Igor Grishechkin who were behind the iconic Cococo restaurant, rated #104 in the World’s 120 Best Restaurants.

CoCoCo bistro reopened at the Saint Petersburg’s cultural spot, the New Holland (Новая Голландия) with a focus on simple seasonal foods and a changing menu.

For the chef, Igor Greshichkin, each plate is a reflection of an event in Russian history, from Tsar’s era to the Communist Soviet Union, to the modern Russian world.

Reservations are highly recommended.

Open daily from noon to 11 pm.

The New Holland (Новая Голландия)

2, Naberezhnaya Admiralteiskogo Kanala (Набережная Адмиралтейского Канала, 2)

+7(905)200-7010

Website

DUO Gastrobar

The young and talented chef Dmitry Blinov was awarded the best chef, and the DUO Gastrobar was named the best restaurant in Saint Petersburg in the local restaurant rating by sobaka.ru.

Incredible modern Russian cuisine, nice presentation, and a cozy atmosphere, all at very democratic prices.

The wine is list good and very affordable too.  Many wines are available by the glass.

Friendly and professional service will complete the experience. The staff speaks good English.

See their menu online you will want to visit DUO Gastrobar right away.  The food is just so delicious!

Reservations can be done by email, by phone, and by WhatsApp.  I recommend calling in advance, as the place is quite small and extremely popular.

Open daily from 1 pm.

8A Kirochnaya street (ул. Кирочная 8a)

+7 (921) 994-5443

mail@duobar.ru

Website

Tartarbar (Тартарбар)

13 tartars from beef, ceviche, tataki, accompanied by exquisite appetizers and mains – this is a concept of this sister restaurant to DUO Gastrobar by a star chef Dmitry Blinov.

What an explosion of taste and what a great presentation.  The restaurant features an open kitchen concept. The service is quite nice.

Good selection of simple, but nice whites and reds by the glass.  The quite impressive wine list by the bottle including some great grand cru classe bottles from Bordeaux, and a few from Burgundy.

I was especially charmed by the original dry G de Chateau Guiraud of Sauternes on the menu that accompanies ceviche nicely.

There are some vegetarian options on the menu.

Open daily from 1 pm.

15, Vilensky pereulok (Виленский переулок д. 15)

+7 (911) 922-5606

mail@tartarbar.ru

Website

Oba Dva (Оба Два)

In case you are wondering Oba Dva is a jargon phrase that means “both two”.

A cozy gastrobar with excellent service and high-quality food that is described as  “Smart Comfort Food”.

You will find a lot of fish and seafood items is on the menu.  Make sure to try their delicious Scandinavian style smorrebrod sandwiches with eel fish.

The chef and the owners are super friendly and gave us excellent advice.

Open every day from 1 pm.

 44, Nekrasova Street (ул. Некрасова д. 44)

+7 (812) 579-1789

Instagram

Oba Dva VK page

Harvest

Yet another great project by Duoband – chef Dmitry Blinov and partner Renat Malikov and definitely one of the best restaurants in Saint Petersburg.

All of their courses are inspired by vegetables, however, the menu is divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Amazing food and great value for money.

An excellent wine list with a very good choice of Champagne. My favorite Rioja by Sierra Cantabria is also present.

Reservations are highly recommended.

Open daily from 1 pm.

Pr. Dobrolubova, 11 (проспект Добролюбова д. 11)

mail@harvestduo.ru

+7 (911) 922-2746

Website

Hamlet + Jacks

Modern Russian gastronomy restaurant close to the Hermitage museum.

Hamlet and Jack focuses on plates of typical Russian ingredients sourced from local farmers.

The other menu is called “Ours + Their”  where the dishes made from Russian produce are complemented with the ingredients from around the world.

An excellent wine list with natural and biodynamic wines with a good selection of Pet-Nat wines.

Open daily from 1 pm.

2, Volynskiy per. (Волынский переулок, д. 2)