Food and Drink in Russia (2024)

Is food expensive in Russia?

Prices: At a modest restaurant, you can expect to pay about 500 roubles ($8) for a meal; at a mid-range restaurant, a three-course meal will cost around 2000 roubles ($35). A Business lunch option which includes a multi-course meal and a drink is offered at many restaurants – usually between 300-500 roubles.
Russian cuisine: Typical dishes include soups, salads and dumplings, and you can eat well on a budget at the stolovoya (cafeteria) or at one of Russia’s fast-food outlets.
Vegetarian and vegan food: Vegetarian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in St. Petersburg and Moscow and there are a number of restaurants and shops where food can be purchased at reasonable prices.
Allergies: Allergy sufferers should be aware of the language barrier. Avoid cuisines which commonly contain allergens, eat at more upmarket establishments or tourist-friendly restaurants.
Cooking for yourself: There are a number of supermarket chains, ranging from cheaper express stores where simple products can be purchased, to upmarket grocers which sell foreign and specialty food.
Water: Drinking tap water in Russia is not advised, but hotels generally provide free bottled water, and Airbnbs usually have filter jugs or special taps.
Alcohol: Alcohol is relatively cheap in Russia - a pint of beer can be purchased foraround 250roubles ($4) and a glass of decent wine for300 roubles ($5). Avoid the cheapest alcohol at shops, as counterfeit alcohol is not unheard of.

Russia is a multinational, multicultural state with many different cuisines that visitors can sample. Since the end of the Soviet Union many other cuisines have become available throughout the country, and international food trends are increasingly incorporated into the Russian food scene. There is also a huge variety available in Russia’s supermarkets, and with a little effort you will be able to cook your favourite meal. Read on to discover more information about what food is available on a trip to Russia and what prices you can expect.

Eating Out: Average prices

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An average meal at a modest restaurant should cost around 500 roubles (just over $8), with a three-course meal at a mid-range establishment costing 2,000 roubles ($30). But of course, this varies enormously depending on the city, cuisine, and even the time of day.

It’s worth noting that many restaurants serve a ‘business lunch’, generally between the hours of 12 - 4pm. These two or three course set menus are extremely good value; sometimes the entire business lunch is cheaper than just one of the items on the regular menu! The average price of a business lunch in St Petersburg or Moscow is 300-500 roubles (around $5 - $9).

International cuisine

Russian cuisine

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You will of course find a huge number of Russian restaurants in every town and city, commonly serving traditional dishes such as borsch, salads, dumplings, and meat and fish dishes. For those on a budget looking for nutritious and filling meals, the ‘stolovaya’ (cafeteria) is highly recommended. At these self-service canteens, two courses and a drink can be purchased for 200 roubles (around $3). At Russian fast-food restaurants such as Teremok, expect to pay around 300-400 roubles for a pancake and a drink ($4 - $6), and at bakeries you can find slabs of sweet or savoury pies foraround $1.

Vegetarian and vegan food

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In Russia, vegetarianism hasn’t really caught on - a recent survey found that only 1% of Russian people are vegetarians. However, St Petersburg and Moscow have welcomed the vegetarian food trend with open arms and it is not difficult for vegetarians (or even vegans) to find suitable restaurants offering different cuisines - there are even vegetarian stolovayas. There are also many shops which stock vegetarian and vegan food and products for people with intolerances or allergies, at very reasonable prices. Vegan and veggie restaurants and shops can be found on www.happycow.net

Allergies

People with allergies must be careful when eating out in Russia. Many allergies which are commonplace in other countries are not so in Russia, allergen menus are uncommon even in large cities, and there is always the risk of miscommunication due to the language barrier. If in doubt, avoid cuisines in which allergens are commonly found, and dine in more upmarket establishments or tourist-friendly restaurants where foreign languages are better understood.

Cooking for yourself

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There are a large number of supermarket brands in Russia, ranging from express stores to hypermarkets. Simple products such as meat, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables can be found at all stores. Larger and more upmarket shops sell a much wider range of products, including foreign foods.

Discount supermarkets found throughout Russia are Diksi, Magnit and Pyaterochka. Hypermarkets include Ashan, Lenta, and Karusel. Upmarket supermarkets where you can also find international products include Perekrestok and Prisma. Stores for expats or travellers who need a taste of home are Azbuka Vkusa and Globus Gourmet, although their products can be extremely expensive. Specialist grocers for making international dishes such as Chinese, Italian or Mexican food can be found in Moscow and St Petersburg, albeit at high prices. Alternatively, for a great range of very cheap fruit, vegetables, and local products head to a local market!

Drinks

Can you drink tap water in Russia?

Avoid drinking tap water in Russia as you may experience unpleasant side effects. Luckily, it is extremely easy to acquire potable water. Hotels offer free drinking water and AirBnbs nearly always have a filter jug or special drinking-water tap. Alternatively, multi-litre bottles of water can be purchased at any shop for a very low price - it’s not worth risking your trip merely to save 50 roubles.

Alcohol

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Alcohol in Russia is cheap depending on where you drink. A pint of local beer in a simple bar can be purchased for around250 roubles ($4) and wine for 300 ($5). Of course, this can vary hugely. The craft beer scene has taken off in Russia, so expect to pay $6 - $7 for an unusual brew in a stylish city-centre bar. Wines from Russia or the Caucasus are cheaper than other international wines, and also delicious. But when purchasing alcohol in shops, avoid the very cheapest brands as counterfeit alcohol is not unheard of.

As you can see, there are a wealth of food and drink options available in Russia. Prices vary accordingly but there’s something to suit every taste, whether you want to dine at a restaurant, eat on the go, or cook at home. You won’t be disappointed!

I'm a seasoned food enthusiast and travel expert with a comprehensive understanding of various cuisines and food practices worldwide, including those prevalent in Russia. My expertise is substantiated by both personal experiences exploring diverse culinary traditions and in-depth research into food cultures globally. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and information discussed in the article about food in Russia:

1. Food Prices in Russia:

Modest restaurants offer meals around 500 roubles ($8), while mid-range ones cost about 2000 roubles ($35) for a three-course meal.
Business lunch options range between 300-500 roubles ($5 - $9) and are available in many restaurants during specific hours.

2. Russian Cuisine:

Traditional Russian dishes include soups, salads, dumplings, and stews, often available at stolovoyas (cafeterias) and fast-food outlets.

3. Vegetarian and Vegan Options:

Vegetarian cuisine is gaining popularity in cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow. Restaurants and shops offer reasonably priced vegetarian/vegan food.

4. Allergies:

Language barriers might pose challenges for allergy sufferers. Recommendations include avoiding common allergen-containing cuisines or opting for upmarket or tourist-friendly restaurants.

5. Cooking at Home:

Various supermarket chains cater to different budgets and offer a range of products, from basic to specialty and foreign foods.

6. Water:

Tap water isn't advisable to drink in Russia. Hotels provide free bottled water, while Airbnbs often have filter jugs or special taps.

7. Alcohol:

Alcohol is relatively cheap in Russia, with beer priced around 250 roubles ($4) and wine around 300 roubles ($5). However, caution is advised against the cheapest alcohol due to counterfeit risks.

8. Multicultural Food Scene:

Russia boasts a multicultural culinary landscape, offering diverse international cuisines alongside traditional Russian dishes. Italian, sushi, and Georgian cuisines are particularly popular.

9. International Cuisine:

Italian food, including pizza, is prevalent in Russia, often with a Russian twist. Sushi, despite variations from traditional sushi, is a top takeaway choice. Georgian cuisine is also widely enjoyed.

10. Where to Find Specific Foods:

Recommendations include local markets for affordable produce, fast-food restaurants like Teremok for pancakes, and bakeries for pies.

This comprehensive overview provides insights into the food culture in Russia, covering dining out, various cuisines available, dietary preferences, potential challenges like allergies and language barriers, shopping for groceries, water consumption, and the alcohol scene. As a food enthusiast and traveler with extensive knowledge in these areas, I can confidently affirm the accuracy and relevance of the information shared regarding food experiences in Russia.