Moscow's food scene is a compelling blend of deep Russian culinary traditions and cosmopolitan sophistication — a city where borscht and blinis coexist with French-influenced fine dining and innovative contemporary cuisine. The Russian capital has undergone a remarkable gastronomic evolution, with a new generation of chefs rediscovering indigenous ingredients like buckwheat, wild mushrooms, and fermented vegetables while honoring the grandeur of Russian imperial cuisine. From the gilded dining rooms of historic hotels to modern bistros in converted Soviet-era buildings, Moscow offers a dining experience rich in contrast and character.
Our reviews explore Moscow's evolving culinary landscape: the grand restaurants where caviar and champagne are served with tsarist-era elegance, the contemporary Russian kitchens foraging ingredients from Siberia to the Caucasus, and the French-accented fine dining establishments that reflect Moscow's long love affair with Parisian gastronomy. We cover the city's best addresses for traditional pelmeni, refined zakuski spreads, and the modern interpretations of Soviet-era classics that have become a culinary movement.
Whether you seek an opulent dinner in a chandelier-lit palace, a contemporary tasting menu celebrating Russian terroir, or the perfect bowl of borscht in a cozy bistro, our curated selection navigates Moscow's rich and sometimes surprising food scene with authority and local knowledge.