Yummy Moscow Restaurants

Moo-Moo, which is located on Stary Arbat and indicated by the presence of a large spotted statue of a cow at the front door, is a cafeteria-style Russian restaurant that offers delicious food for very little cash. The line can be long but moves quickly, and one chooses from various breads, salads, soups (be careful, as smetana, Russian sour cream, goes on and in almost everything, particularly soups), meats, potato dishes, and more. The selection is very wide, and Moo-Moo offers daily specials.

Lots of seating is available, and the atmosphere is lots of fun. It’s also good for non-Russian speakers because there is an English menu available and one can point to items that one wants. The food and drinks are very reliable, there are two levels of seating, and the food is very delicious and fast! Also, as is almost always the case in Russia, Moo-Moo has a full bar with many drink options.

Cafe Moo-Moo (it looks like My-My in Cyrillic) is located about halfway down Stary Arbat, a pedestrian shopping street that caters to tourists but also attracts locals. It can be reached either from the Smolenskaya or Arbatskaya metro stops.

Starlite Diner has two locations in Moscow. One is near the Mayakovskaya metro station in a small courtyard next to the theatre there. The second is a bit more difficult to find, but is located across from the Oktyabrskaya metro station.

Starlite is a great place to go for the traveller who hankers for a little bit of home while in Russia. It is an American-style ‘50s diner that offers typical diner food, including burgers, fries, salads, pastas, and shakes. The food is more expensive than it should be and is by no means gourmet, but it is excellent for the homesick traveller or expatriate.

During my semester in Moscow, I visited Starlite often and was grateful for the consistent food, English menus (even Russian-language students need a break), and relaxed atmosphere. It does not provide a cultural experience by any means, but it is certainly a good place to find comfort food.

Moscow is full of coffee shops. Much like the Starbucks phenomenon in the States, chain coffee shops dot nearly every street in Moscow. And as with the coffee situation in the States, it is often the smaller, independent coffee shops that turn out to be the real find.

On Tverskaya, about halfway between the Pushkinskaya Metro and the Kremlin, Coffee Bean stands out as one of the best coffee shops in Moscow. The shop itself is actually quite large, with lots of wooden tables of all sizes, stools, and couches. Coffee Bean is well-lit, with enormous windows that face the street. Since Tverskaya is a large, busy street, this location is perfect for people watching. The wooden counters, furniture, and wall panels create a very cozy, comfortable atmosphere, perfect for lounging, studying, chatting with friends, or just gazing at the Russians who walk by. It is frequented by Russians and tourists alike, so the mix is very interesting.

The menu at Coffee Bean is in Russian, and I found that the baristas typically don't speak English. However, it is very easy to point, and knowledge of a few Russian coffee words will suffice. Coffee Bean also offers a wide selection of wonderful desserts, ranging from chocolate tortes to pecan pie to chocolate chip cookies (sigh). All of the desserts are displayed in a glass counter, so it is not at all difficult to order. One can expect to pay prices similar to those at a Starbucks or another similar chain. However, the drinks are made with high-quality ingredients and are always delicious. It is well worth the price.

Although I do not think that Coffee Bean offers wireless Internet hotspots (as opposed to the large but less tasty Shokoladnitsa chain), it is nevertheless one of my very favorite spots in Moscow.

Ah, Tinkoff Brewery. In a country in which Baltika numbers 1 to 9 is available at every kiosk on every street, it is difficult to imagine actually seeking out a brewery. But Tinkoff is worth it. A microbrewery, Russia's first, as far as I know, the beer is superior to most beers worldwide. One can find beer of every variety, including a seasonal special (I greatly recommend the November special). In addition, the food is spectacular. Although Tinkoff is a brewery, it is rather upscale, and the food reflects its high quality. The food is Russian and German fare, but the menu includes delicious food that would be comfortable for even the pickiest traveler. Don't forget that they also sell a meter-long sausage to go along with the beer. There is also a Japanese food menu, though it seems a bit out of place in the Russian/Bavarian brewery. The menus are in both Russian and English, though the wait staff and hosts don't typically speak English.

Tinkoff can get crowded, so it is nice to have a reservation. But a small party can usually get squeezed in without a reservation. Don't forget to check your coat downstairs; like most Russian restaurants (and museums for that matter), coats and bags are to be checked under all circumstances. Tinkoff is located on Protochnyy Per, a small street just off of Smolenskaya pl. It is easiest to reach Tinkoff from the Smolenskaya metro stop (the light blue line, I believe, is preferable to the dark blue line) or by taxi. There are also other locations throughout Russia, most particularly in St. Petersburg. The website is http://www.tinkoff.ru and is available in English.