With many of the best restaurants in Moscow also doubling as bars and clubs, the atmosphere is nearly always one step away from a party, and many of the city’s elite come dressed to impress. Of course, there are still many elegant and family friendly restaurants for those who prefer a quieter evening. With such a large selection available, Elite Traveler has compiled a suitable list for diners of all persuasions.
[See also: The 12 Best Alfresco Restaurants in London]The 8 Best Restaurants in Moscow
Café Pushkin
Designed to recreate the feel of a 19th century aristocrat’s house, Café Pushkin has become one of the most popular restaurants in Moscow, thanks to the quality of its food, impeccable service and the excellent vodka selection. The atmosphere of pre-Revolution Russia is delightfully charming, from the flowery script of the menu to aristocratic country house décor. Pushkin is the ideal destination if you want to be treated like Russian nobility and dine like a Tsar – but book ahead, the restaurant’s popularity requires reservation well in advance.
Turandot
Lavishly decked out with chandeliers and hand-painted furniture, the menu selection may come as a surprise to first-time guests, with options ranging from Pi Pa duck with melon and truffle to beefsteak with foie gras. Turandot puts a French spin on pan-Asian cuisine, and does so with incredible style and boldness. Whilst the interior décor is certainly to be marvelled at, it is the thoughtfully conceptualized and perfectly executed menu options that make for an incredible dining experience.
Buono
When the Ginza Project, a company that owns some of the finest restaurants in Moscow, announced that they would be opening a restaurant on the 29th floor of Radisson Royal Hotel, the excitement and anticipation was palpable.
The company has a reputation for the high quality of its restaurants that grace the streets of the capital, and Buono is no exception. The views from Buono are unashamedly spectacular, while the décor is elegant, with soft creams complementing the fine views on offer. The food is classical Italian; Chef William Lamberti is well known throughout Europe and has created an excellent menu. It’s always best to book ahead at Buono, as the window seats that offer the finest views over the city are quickly taken.
Piccolino
Italian for ‘small’, Piccolino is a cozy, homely restaurant – something of a rarity in Moscow.
Serving typical Italian food, the family friendly establishment is laid back, but this doesn’t compromise the quality of the food: good, hearty portions that are exceptionally tasty. The interior of Piccolino has been designed to replicate that of a large country house, and the décor is entirely fitting with the atmosphere of the restaurant. In a city where many of the establishments value the names of their guests over the quality of their dishes, Piccolino is the place to come if your preference is quality of food rather than famous faces.
Twin Gardens
With two tasting menus and an à la carte option, the Twin Gardens at the heart of Moscow caters to any palette. With the restaurant concept based on the symbiosis of science and nature, their Vegetables set menu explores all manner of produce from seedling to peeling, delicately plated in a tasteful homage to the natural life cycle of wild plants and flowers. For more adventurous types, their Rediscover Russia menu offers a culinary tour of various local specialties found in provinces across the vast continent. They also have a wide selection of Russian wines.
[See also: The Best Cities to Experience Vegan Fine Dining]CDL
Located in an elegant 19th century mansion, CDL is one of the most sophisticated restaurants in Moscow.
The interior has been gorgeously designed to recreate the grandeur of the Silver Age of Russian culture, with antique balustrades and bas-reliefs throughout the Oak Hall main room. The staircase in the Oak Hall is a particular masterpiece; it was built without a single nail or screw. The fireplace is equally impressive and has been used as a meeting room by President Dmitry Medvedev. Guests can also hire additional rooms such as the Cigar Room and the Cabinet Room. A menu of authentic Russian cuisine has been created by top chef Alexander Popov, with organic dishes bursting with flavor and a splendor to match the opulent surroundings. With so much luxury and class on display, it’s little wonder that former US Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush have chosen to dine here. Situated in the center of the city between Bolshaya Nikitskaya 53 and Povarskaya Ulitsa 50, it’s worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.
White Rabbit
With a domed window inviting soaring views of the Moscow cityscape, White Rabbit has recently undergone extensive renovations, to both its interior and its menu. Renowned architect Natalia Belonogova has transformed the restaurant into an airy, modern space, perfected by the addition of a summer veranda. To connect the dining options with the new interior, head chef Vladimir Mukhin has created a new menu, Metamorphoses, to reflect the lifecycle of the mayfly butterfly.
Delight your palette with scallop, strawberries and blackcurrant or, for dessert, dandelion honey with melted cottage cheese. This summerlike and refreshing menu has its roots in Russian soil and its head in the clouds above Moscow’s skyline.
[See also: The Leading Countries for Sustainable Fine Dining]O2 Lounge
One of the best places to see and be seen, the O2 Lounge is half stylish seafood restaurant and half trendy pre-club hangout.
The food on offer is delicious Japanese fare, with sumptuous sushi prepared in front of diners by the team of talented chefs led by Nicholas Courtois. Located on the 12th floor of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the restaurant has spectacular panoramic views over Red Square and The Kremlin. After dark the restaurant becomes one of the coolest bars in town, with award-winning cocktails and a selective wine list.
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