royal princess cruise food

Princess cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

Booked on a Princess cruise ? Then it's time to start figuring out your dining strategy. With everything from casual seafood shacks and barbecue joints to refined steakhouses, sushi bars and even experiential, sensory dining, the food on Princess Cruises has something to pique everyone's palate, from those looking to indulge to guests who want to stick to a healthy diet at sea .

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Alfredo's/Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo/Alfredo's Pizzeria

Fixed price or a la carte

If one pizzeria isn't enough, Princess has another option. Alfredo's and Gigi's are sit-down pizzerias with decor inspired by the colors and vibe of Amalfi Coast. The venues serve authentic Neapolitan pizza made from scratch.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Discovery, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise pizza? I tasted slices from 7 brands

Burger & Hot Dog Grill

Included, but a la carte pricing applies for a few menu items on select ships

This poolside American grill serves up hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire

Chopsticks Noodle Bar

Chopsticks is a casual spot with a rotating menu of cooked-to-order Asian fare. Options include wonton noodle soup and wok-fried dishes like Sichuan dan-dan noodles.

Available on: Majestic Princess

Horizon Court/World Fresh Marketplace

All Princess cruise ships feature a buffet restaurant, called World Fresh Marketplace on some ships and Horizon Court on others. Either way, the buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ever-changing options include regional specialties, comfort food, fresh fruit, salads, vegetables and desserts.

Available on: All ships

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Sushi and sashimi specialties, appetizers, nigiri and maki rolls including tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and hamachi scallion are available separately or in a set menu or combination at Kai Sushi.

Available on: Diamond Princess, Sun Princess

Main dining room

Princess Cruises' main dining rooms offer a waiter-served, sit-down dining experience. Multicourse menus of global cuisine are offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some options change daily, but a selection of "Princess Favorites" signature dishes is always available.

Ocean Terrace Sushi/Seafood Bar

Overlooking the Piazza, this sushi and sashimi bar was inspired by the view of the ocean. Starters, sushi, sashimi, raw, cooked and torched rolls are available a la carte.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

O'Malley's Irish Pub

A contemporary Irish pub with traditional tunes and interactive entertainment, O'Malley's serves pub fare like pan-fried Guinness chicken, ribeye burgers, Scotch eggs and fried pickles.

Available on: Enchanted Princess, Sun Princess

This casual, rustic eatery serves ample portions of barbecued meats, including pulled pork, tri-top, smoked sausage, smoked chicken and pork ribs, along with sides, sauces, salads and more.

Available on: Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Reserve Collection dining

Included for guests in Reserve Collection cabins

Passengers booked in Reserve Collection cabins can access an exclusive area of the main dining room with a private entrance, expedited seating, no reservations required and a dedicated waitstaff. On Star Princess and Sun Princess, Reserve Collection Dining also includes access to a private restaurant.

Salty Dog Gastropub

The Salty Dog Gastropub features handhelds like burgers, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese, as well as elevated takes on comfort food including lobster mac and cheese and stout-braised short ribs. It's located inside the Wheelhouse Bar on certain days.

Available on: Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Ruby Princess, Sapphire, Grand, Coral, Island Princess

Salty Dog Grille/Cafe

The famous Hilton Head, South Carolina eatery takes to the seas on Princess Cruises. This casual poolside restaurant is a great pitstop between dips. Order from their menu of craft burgers (including a veggie burger), sandwiches, chicken strips, street tacos, loaded fries and hot dogs.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Ruby, Sky Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG's top picks

This poolside pizzeria has plenty of pie options, including thin crust and deep dish, as well as stromboli and avocado and caprese toasts.

Steamers Seafood

At this casual eatery, you can satisfy your seafood craving with steamed shellfish pots with mussels, scallops, kielbasa and corn on the cob. The most popular pot arrives with broiled scallops, shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder; lobster and crab can be added to any dish.

Vines Wine Bar

Located in the Atrium, with an extensive list of wines and Champagnes, Vines Wine Bar serves light bites, including antipasti and tapas.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky Princess

Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse

Fixed price

Prime steaks and seafood are served in a laid-back, New Orleans-inspired setting, with live music on select nights. Highlights include Chilean sea bass with king prawns, New York strip and New Zealand rosemary double lamb chops.

Available on: Coral Princess, Island Princess

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

The Catch by Rudi

Seafood-focused collaboration with renowned Austrian chef Rudi Sodamin featuring playful takes on sustainable seafood like Asian-fried calamari, lobster with garlic butter crust and tiered shellfish towers. Order the Salzburger Nockerl for dessert; it's a can't-miss Austrian souffle baked over tangy fruit jam.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Sky, Sun Princess

Churrascaria Brazilian Grill

Servers carve grilled meats including picanha, sirloin, lamb, linguica and sausage tableside at this South American-inspired steakhouse. Round out your meal with options from the teeming salad bar.

Available on: Diamond Princess

A rustic seafood pop-up, Crab Shack will serve casual starters including popcorn shrimp and Manhattan clam chowder, as well as steamed and boiled pots of shellfish, potatoes, corn and herbs.

Available on: Forthcoming, ships to be announced

Crown Grill

Princess' signature steak and seafood house with a theater-style open kitchen is a perennial favorite with guests. On the menu are aged and hand-cut steaks and chops, seafood and a selection of salts curated from around the world to sprinkle on dishes.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Harmony is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a five-course menu of dishes. Highlights include Peking duck salad, braised pork belly ribs with star anise and fried rice with scallops.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

At the cruise line's signature Italian restaurant, traditional flavors meld with regional influences. Handmade pastas like pappardelle alla Bolognese are joined by ossobuco Milanese, heirloom cheeses and air-cured salume.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Sterling Steakhouse

This premium chophouse features high-quality cuts of meat from corn-fed beef, including Kansas City strip, filet mignon, Madeira-glazed veal and surf and turf, served with shareable sides like loaded baked potatoes and sauteed wild mushrooms. (Sterling Steakhouse is similar to the Crown Grill, but the two steakhouses have different menus.)

Available on: Sapphire Princess

Love by Britto

Princess Cruises has collaborated with Romero Britto, the Brazilian artist known for his bold and joyful style, to create a seven-course, prix fixe artistic-inspired dining experience on its newest ship. Standout dishes include oysters with Champagne pearls, Wagyu Chateaubriand Rossini and hot chocolate souffle with hot Bing cherries.

Available on: Sun Princess

Umai Teppanyaki

Your meal at Umai Teppanyaki is a three-act show of Japanese cuisine prepared on an iron teppan grill. Starters include pork belly yakitori and spicy tuna on the rocks, followed by dishes like black cod in soy reduction and filet mignon with Champagne Cognac flambe and a chocolate bento box.

Related: 12 dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise

The Butcher's Block by Dario

The Butcher's Block is another collaboration, this time a partnership with renowned eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini, who owns a butcher shop and restaurants in the Tuscan village of Panzano, Italy. Enjoy a meal of his signature cuts of meat at one large shared table with friends old and new.

360: An Extraordinary Experience

This seven-course, wine-paired dinner is enhanced by immersive technology, including a 360-degree projection screen displaying scenes of the Mediterranean and additional images projected onto the tabletop. You'll find yourself as captivated by the food as the music and storytelling that will virtually transport you to Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona and Provence. The dining experience is invite-only, so if you're not some kind of VIP (suite guest, top-tier loyalty program member, casino high roller and the like), don't expect you will be able to dine here.

Available on: Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess

Chef's Table/Chef's Table Lumiere

Fixed price (with or without wine)

The Chef's Table is a unique culinary experience that kicks off with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres and a stroll through the kitchen to meet the executive chef, followed by a multicourse dinner paired with wines. For Chef's Table Lumiere, the table is surrounded by a curtain of lights after guests are seated.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Grand, Island, Ruby, Sapphire Princess (Chef's Table); Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess (Chef's Table Lumiere)

Balcony Breakfast/Dinner

Start or end the day with an intimate, romantic meal for two served on your cabin balcony. Dinner is a four-course affair including hors d'oeuvres, lobster and steak and your choice of beverages.

Caymus Winemaker's Dinner

During this intimate dining event, a five-course dinner is paired with wines from Chuck Wagner's Napa Valley winery, Caymus Vineyards. This recently launched experience for just 12 guests is offered two to three times per sailing.

Silverado Winemaker's Dinner

A collaboration with winemaker Jon Emmerich of Silverado Vineyards, this dinner pairs five courses (not including a palate cleanser) with the Napa Valley winery's sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

Princess cruise dining FAQ

Is food on Princess Cruises included?

Sit-down meals in the main dining room, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, are always included on a Princess cruise, and the menu varies somewhat daily. Also included is a buffet, either called World Fresh Marketplace or Horizon Court, depending on the ship, as well as fast casual and grab-and-go spots on board that serve pizza, tacos, burgers, pastries and ice cream.

Specialty restaurants including Crown Grill, Princess's steak and seafood house, and Sabatini's, the signature Italian restaurant, require a surcharge that's priced at a flat rate per adult or child; some menu items also require an additional surcharge no matter the age of the guest.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries

Are drinks included on Princess cruise ships?

Select beverages are always included: iced tea, hot tea, brewed coffee, hot chocolate, milk, fruit juice, lemonade and tap water. Everything else, including soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, spirits and specialty coffees, must either be purchased a la carte or through one of the cruise line's beverage packages .

Do I need reservations?

Reservations are encouraged for the main dining room and the specialty restaurants, and it's best to make them as early as possible ; walk-in parties will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Guests can make reservations via the Princess MedallionClass app or at guest services once you're on board. If you wish to eat at the same time every night, you can do so by reserving your tables in advance.

Platinum and Elite Captain's Circle members have early access to reservations. Passengers booked in a Full Suite or Reserve Collection Mini-Suite don't need to make dining reservations as they will always be accommodated; they also have access to a dedicated space in the main dining room with expedited seating and an expanded menu.

Does Princess Cruises have an evening dress code?

"Smart casual" attire will be appropriate for the main dining room, buffet and fast-casual restaurants. You might want to pack something dressier for the specialty restaurants or one of the more upscale dining experiences like Chef's Table, 360 or a winemaker dinner.

On sailings that are five nights or longer, there will be one or more formal nights, which do require adhering to a dress code in the dining venues . Cocktail dresses, evening gowns or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for women, while dark suits, tuxedos or dinner jackets and slacks are required for men , along with dressy footwear. If you don't want to dress up or forgot appropriate attire, you're welcome to dine at the buffet or any of the other casual dining options on board during formal night.

Is there assigned seating in the main dining room?

There is currently no assigned seating at any dining venues on board Princess ships; however, that is changing for cruises departing on or after September 14. For those sailings, guests can choose between traditional seating (with assigned dining times, tables, tablemates and waiters in the main dining room) or flexible seating. Within flexible seating, passengers can either make reservations to dine at a specific time on any given night or walk in when they're hungry to access the first available table.

Until September, Princess will not offer assigned seating, and guests can choose to make reservations or not for the main dining room. If you are a solo diner or part of a couple or small group, your host might ask if you would like to sit with another party of a similar size in the main dining room; the choice is up to you.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

You can use the Cruise Personalizer to indicate your dietary preferences, including requests for low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar and vegetarian diets. Kosher meals and baby food are available with advanced written requests. If you have allergies or medical needs related to food, you must inform Princess in writing — check the line's website for more details. Princess Cruises also recently introduced a series of vegan menus for dinner in the main dining room, including starters, soups, salads, pastas and main dishes.

Where can I get snacks on board?

You'll find lots of spots to grab a quick bite, dessert or coffee, including Coffee & Cones, Patisserie, Swirls Ice Cream Bar, The Pastry Shop, International Cafe and Gelateria — options vary depending on the ship. Food at these venues is included, but there is a charge for specialty coffees and teas unless you have a beverage package.

Is room service included on Princess Cruises?

Guests can use the designated button on their cabin's phone to order room service 24 hours a day; each order incurs a $5 delivery fee, which is waived for those with Princess Plus or Princess Premier status.

You can also use the OceanNow feature in the Princess Medallion Class app to order food to be delivered to your cabin or anywhere else on the ship, like the pool deck. This feature is included with Princess Plus and Princess Premium; otherwise, there is a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage and a $5 delivery fee per order. Food and beverage surcharges may apply for some items ordered via room service.

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A Guide to Royal Princess Dining

 Linda Garrison

The 3,560 passenger Royal Princess was launched in 2013, and Princess Cruises kept many of the great dining options seen on other Princess ships. In addition, the cruise line added some new eateries where guests can savor interesting dishes. The ship has 14 different places that offer food.

On each voyage, the Royal Princess also offers special extra-surcharge meals designed for a special dining experience. For example, guests can dine at the Chef's Table Lumiere. This small private dining experience is in a lovely section of the Allegro dining room with a sheer curtain enclosing the amazing table and providing just the right amount of privacy.

Another special meal is the Wine Maker's Dinner, which is held in private wine cellar rooms of the Symphony and Allegro dining rooms. This dinner for up to 12 guests focuses on the pairing of wines with each dinner course.

The Royal Princess also offers guests the opportunity to have a special dinner or brunch on their own balcony. This Ultimate Balcony Dining has been very successful on other Princess ships and is a perfect romantic dinner or brunch. Waiters serve the meal by courses and dining al fresco on your own private balcony is certainly memorable.

All of these special meals require advance reservations.

Dining Options

Let's take a detailed look at the dining options of the Royal Princess cruise ship.

• Main Dining Rooms - Symphony, Allegro, Concerto

Crown Grill

Sabatini's.

• Horizon Court and Bistro

International Cafe

Alfredo's pizzeria, ocean terrace seafood bar.

• Casual Take-Away Restaurants - Trident Grill, Prego Pizzeria, Swirls

Main Dining Rooms

The Royal Princess has three main dining rooms, all of which look similar and have elegant decor and more space between tables than some other ships. Diners order from a menu, with multiple selections for appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, and desserts. There's also a selection of simpler items (shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, grilled salmon, chicken, steak) that can be ordered if none of the nightly specials appeal to you.

Allegro (deck 6 aft) is the ship's traditional dining room, with two seatings for dinner. With traditional dining, guests sit with the same other assigned travelers at the same table each dinner.

Symphony (deck 5 midship) and Concerto (deck 6 midship) offer Anytime Dining at every dinner. Guests who select this option can eat anytime during dining hours. It's also possible to make reservations at a specific time.

Open seating breakfast from a menu is also offered in one of these dining rooms each day.

The Crown Grill is a popular classic steakhouse found on all Princess ships. On the Royal Princess, it's located just off the Wheelhouse Bar aft on deck 7. This location provides a nice place to meet and have a drink before or after dinner.

This specialty restaurant has a surcharge, but most agree the extra cost is worth it. The premium seafood and meats are exceptional.

Like the Crown Grill, Sabatini's is found on all the Princess ships . As its name suggests, this specialty restaurant features an Italian menu. On the Royal Princess, Sabatini's is on deck 5 forward near the reception desk. In addition to dinner, the restaurant serves a delicious, relaxing breakfast to those guests staying in the suites.

The menu at Sabatini's starts with a selection of antipasti, pasta, main courses, and desserts.

The sommelier staff does wine tastings on the Royal Princess cruise to northern Europe and the Baltic States . The wine and dining room staff pair the wines with appropriate snacks.

Horizon Court

The Horizon Court and Bistro cover much of deck 16 aft on the Royal Princess. This venue is the casual buffet and has multiple action stations serving a wide variety of international cuisines. The buffet is crowded at all meals, but the area is very large and there are never any long lines, so people move quickly through the various stations.

The Horizon Court and Bistro are open most of the day. A continental breakfast is served in the Bistro, followed by a regular breakfast with favorites that will suit travelers from all over the world. Some of the action stations are closed late in the morning to set up for lunch, which then rolls into dinner. One of the action stations is devoted to pastries and desserts and also has premium coffees.

During the cruise, two specialty meals are served at the Horizon Court for an extra surcharge. One is a Crab Shack dinner with many seafood favorites. The second is called Fondues and features several different cheese fondues.

The International Cafe on the Royal Princess is open 24 hours a day and is located on deck 5 in the Piazza. Although the premium coffee and tea are served a la carte, the breakfast, lunch, and dinner items are included in the basic fare. The morning pastries and hot sandwiches for lunch were especially good.

Alfredo's is a sit-down pizzeria on the Royal Princess that can seat 121 guests. It is located on deck 6 in the atrium. The complimentary menu includes a variety of Italian antipasti, soup and salads, pizzas, a calzone and pizza baguette, and delicious baked pasta in addition to desserts.

Gelato Gelateria

Gelato serves Italian-style ice cream and crepes for a fee. In addition to ice cream cones and cups, this gelateria offers sundaes, banana splits, and other temptations. It's a tempting addition to a Royal Princess cruise.

Vines is located in the Piazza on deck 5. This casual bar on the Royal Princess also serves Spanish tapas, Greek mezes, Venetian Cicchetti, Latin American pinchos, and Caribbean cutters to accompany the wine.

Over 30 different wines can be purchased by the glass, and some of the bites are also featured as appetizers in Sabatini's.

The Ocean Terrace seafood bar on the Royal Princess offers a variety of a la carte ocean treasures, including oyster shooters, fresh sushi and sashimi, ahi tuna, and king crab.

Casual Take-Away Restaurants

Along with the numerous sit-down restaurants with their own seating areas, the Royal Princess has several casual takeaway restaurants, most located around the swimming pool on deck 16 . These include the Trident Grill, which serves hot dogs, hamburgers, and other grilled items; Prego Pizzeria; and Swirls ice cream bar, which has complimentary soft-serve ice cream in both chocolate and vanilla.

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Princess Cruises Casual Dining by Ship: A Helpful Guide

Navigating the recent changes to dining on Princess Cruises has become more difficult so we’ve created this guide to  Princess Cruises Casual Dining  to help. This useful guide lists every casual dining restaurant for  each ship in the Princess fleet .

Casual dining in it’s new form was introduced on Princess Cruises in 2023.

Whether you are new to Princess Cruises or have cruised with them before, this guide will help you see exactly which restaurants are onboard your cruise.

What is Casual Dining on Princess Cruises?

Casual dining on Princess Cruises does  not  mean complimentary or included dining unless you have a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package.

Examples of casual dining venues on Princess cruise ships are:

• Alfredo’s/Gigi’s Pizzeria – see menu
• Ocean Terrace Sushi – see menu
• O’Malley’s Irish Pub
• Salty Dog GastroPub
• Vines Wine Bar
• Kai Sushi – see sample menu

Casual dining restaurants on Princess cruise ships offer a casual  style  of dining.

You don’t need to dress up in these restaurants, and you don’t need to make reservations.

Casual Dining is one of three main types of dining on Princess Cruises:

• Food and dining included with the cruise fare
• Casual Dining
• Specialty Dining

For more information about what is included in the standard fare, we’d recommend that you take a look at:  What is Included on a Princess Cruise?

How much is Princess Cruises Casual Dining?

Princess Cruises Casual Dining restaurants offer al a carte menus and prix fixe menus (fixed price).

Prix fixe menus typically offer an appetiser, main course and dessert for $14.99 per person.

Prices for individual items on the menus are reasonable and it may be more cost-effective to order just a main course if that’s all you want.

What you pay depends on the type of package you have purchased for your cruise:

• Princess standard fare   (no package)  – pay for Casual Dining al a carte or prix fixe prices
• Princess Plus  – you get two Casual Dining visits included per person, per cruise
• Princess Premier  – you get unlimited visits to Casual Dining restaurants throughout the cruise

If you have opted for the Princess standard fare, you will need to pay extra for Casual Dining restaurants.

You will pay for Casual Dining one way or another on a Princess cruise, so check if you have a package and find out if it’s Princess Plus or Princess Premier.

With a package, you will receive at least two visits to a casual restaurant per cruise.

What are the Casual Dining options on Caribbean Princess?

The Casual Dining restaurants available on  Caribbean Princess  are:

• Steamers Seafood

Planks BBQ and Steamers Seafood are both pop-up dining options in the World Fresh Marketplace (buffet) and are open for dinner.

Casual Dining on Coral Princess

Coral Princess has just one casual dining option. Alfredo’s Pizzeria is available at lunch times in Sabatini’s.

You can find the  latest Alfredo’s Pizzeria menu here . Be aware that because this is only offered as a pop-up restaurant on Coral Princess, the menu is a reduced version.

Crown Princess Casual Dining

There are two Casual Dining restaurants on Crown Princess:

The offerings at Vines are designed to accompany your wine. There are crudités ($3), a charcuterie board ($12) and chocolate truffles ($3). If you decide to have all of these items, the prix fixe menu is $14.99.

Watch our tour of Crown Princess

What are the Casual Dining restaurants on Diamond Princess?

Kai Sushi is the casual restaurant available on Diamond Princess.

As well as sushi, this restaurant offers noodles, ramen, sashimi, maki rolls and desserts. These are all individually priced or you can opt for the $14.99 prix fixe menu, which includes:

• 1 x Appetizer
• 1 x Nigiri Sushi
• 1 x Sashimi
• 1 x Maki Roll
• 1 x Dessert

Discovery Princess Dining

There are three options to choose from on Discovery Princess. This may make choosing a little tricky for Princess Plus passengers who have two casual dining meals included in their package. If you want to try all three, you simply pay extra for one.

Gigi’s Pizzeria,  Ocean Terrace Sushi  and the Salty Dog GastroPub offer al a carte and fixed-price dining on Discovery Princess.

It’s worth knowing that the menu for Gigi’s is the same as Alfredo’s (same pizza different name).

What are the Casual Dining restaurants on Emerald Princess?

Emerald Princess cruisers have the biggest choice of Casual Dining venues onboard.

Be aware that Planks and Steamers are pop-up restaurants in the Worldfresh Marketplace and therefore have limited opening times.

Enchanted Princess Casual Dining

Passengers on Enchanted Princess can choose from:

• Gigi’s Pizzeria
• Ocean Terrace Sushi

Gigi’s menu is identical to Alfredo’s so  take a look here .

Enchanted Princess used to have a Salty Dog GastroPub but it was replaced by the new Irish pub called O’Malley’s. So far, this seems to be fairly popular and reasonably priced for individual courses.

Ocean Terrace Sushi  offers fresh sushi and some great views over the Piazza, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Watch our tour of Enchanted Princess .

Grand Princess

Vines and Alfredo’s Pizzeria are the Casual Dining restaurants available on  Grand Princess .

The food at Vines is designed to accompany your wine. There are crudités ($3), a charcuterie board ($12) and chocolate truffles ($3). If you decide to have all of these items, the prix fixe menu is $14.99.

Island Princess options

Island Princess has one casual dining option. Alfredo’s Pizzeria is available at lunch times in  Sabatini’s .

You can find the  latest Alfredo’s Pizzeria menu here . Be aware that because this is only offered as a pop-up restaurant for lunch, the menu is a reduced version.

What are the Casual Dining options on Majestic Princess?

• Ocean Terrace

All of these casual restaurants are situated in the Piazza (atrium area).

Casual Dining restaurants on Regal Princess

Regal Princess Casual Dining restaurants are:

These are all permanent casual restaurants and can be found in the area surrounding the Piazza.

Take a look at Cruising For All’s  guide to dining on Regal Princess .

Royal Princess

Royal Princess has the same options as Regal Princess as they are almost identical ships:

• Alfredo’s Pizzeria

Vines and the Ocean Terrace are great for light lunches and dinners, whereas you definitely need to go hungry if you want to make the most of the pizzeria.

Ruby Princess Casual Dining restaurants

The Salty Dog Gastro Pub and Vines are the Casual Dining restaurants on Ruby Princess.

The food items at Vines are designed to accompany wine. There are three dishes:

• crudités ($3)
• charcuterie board ($12)
• chocolate truffles ($3)

You can have all three of these items for $14.99.

Sapphire Princess

Alfredo’s  and Vines are the Casual Dining restaurants on Sapphire Princess.

We enjoyed dining at Alfredo’s on Sapphire Princess as it was relatively quiet for dinner and you also had the opportunity to enjoy the music coming from the Piazza.

We recommend reading our  review of Sapphire Princess .

What are the Casual Dining restaurants on Sky Princess?

• Alfredo’s  Pizzeria

Alfredo’s Pizzeria was a particularly popular casual restaurant during lunch on Sky Princess when we cruised so we would recommend going for dinner.

We recommend reading our  useful guide to specialty dining on Sky Princess .

Sun Princess Casual Dining restaurants

Sun Princess has three casual dining options onboard. It’s interesting to see that Alfredo’s Pizzeria is back (it’s called Gigi’s on other new ships).

O’Malley’s offers food and entertainment so it is a good option for dinner with the added bonus of more atmosphere than some of the other venues.

Star Princess

Whilst it is still too early to confirm, it’s likely that the casual dining venues on Star Princess will match those on her sister, Sun Princess:

Review of Casual Dining on Princess Cruises

We think that the casual dining options on Princess cruise ships are an affordable way to try different food on your cruise. This is especially good for longer cruises.

Our favourite casual restaurant has to be Alfredo’s Pizzeria. Alfredo’s has won awards for its freshly-made pizza and we’ve never found better pizza on a cruise to rival it. There has been some annoyance from regular Princess cruisers that Alfredo’s became a casual dining restaurant as until 2023, it was complimentary.

It’s worth knowing that if you don’t have a Plus or Premier package, you can still enjoy the casual dining options on board, you simply pay for what you have.

To take a closer look at the menus at each of the casual dining restaurants on Princess Cruises, we’d recommend taking a look at Brits on a Ship’s post dedicated to casual dining on Princess Cruises.

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

Find me on: Twitter

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Princess Cruises Dining Room Menus (with food photos)

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Are you going on a Princess Cruise? If so, you know that one of the best parts of cruising is the cruise food.

We’ve recently disembarked from a great cruise on the Regal Princess , and I thought I’d share the main dining room menus (main dishes, appetizers and desserts) with you. While the order of the nightly menus may be different, it’s likely that you’ll see these menus and food choices on your upcoming Princess Cruise.

I’ve included photos of the dishes we ordered as well, just to whet your appetite.

If you’re cruising with Princess, here is a Princess Cruises packing list that you can use:  Princess Cruises Packing List 2022

Princess Main Dining Room – Things to Know

Dine my way.

Cruising in 2022 has changed, and this includes the main dining room experience on Princess Cruises . While in the past Princess had “traditional dining” and “Anytime Dining”, this has been replaced with “Dine My Way”.

You can now reserve your dining times in advance on the Medallion Class app as you get ready for your cruise. Please note, if you’re in Club Class , you don’t need to make a reservation.

In our experience, you could also just show up at the main dining room (in our case Concerto) and be seated without an advanced reservation as well, although there could be a wait time.

Princess Favorites

In addition to nightly menu options, there are Princess Favorites that are always available. We did see some changes from past Princess Favorites. One classic that remains is the famous Fettuccine Alfredo.

Order as Much as You Want

If you are interested in more than one appetizer, or want to try 2 main dishes, go for it! In our experience, the waiters were very accommodating and would even offer to add a lobster tail to our steak dinner one night when we were undecided between 2 delicious options.

Have more tips to share? Please leave a comment or let me know about a recent experience in the comments below this post.

Princess Cruises Main Dining Room Menus

Princess dining room menu – night 1.

Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 2

Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 3

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Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 4

Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 5

Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 6

Princess Dining Room Menu – Night 7

Princess Cruises After Dinner Beverages Menu

Crown Grill Menus

Princess Cruises Related Posts

I hope that these Princess Cruises menus and photos have been helpful as you plan your cruise. Here are some popular related posts that you may want to read next:

What to Pack for a Princess Cruise

Princess Cruises: 15 Tips, Tricks and Insider Secrets

Princess Plus – What’s Included and Is it Worth it?

Princess Cruises Drink Packages (with bar menus and drink photos)

Princess Cruises: What Food is Included and What’s Extra?

15 Things to Do Before Your Cruise (in last 30 days)

What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (full packing list included)

17 First Time Cruiser Mistakes to Avoid

Final Thoughts on Princess Cruises Menus

Princess Cruises has some of our favorite cruise foods. While not every dish was our favorite, we found so many main dishes, appetizers and desserts that we absolutely loved!

Please let me know what are some of your favorite Princess foods in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you found this article helpful, please pass it along. Please feel free to share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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4 expensive disney cruise options that are worth the cost (and one that isn’t).

Taking a Disney  cruise  lets you be the prince or princess of a Disney story. Everything from your meals to onboard entertainment is taken care of, leaving you free to explore everything the ship offers.

Learn More:  11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024 Find Out:  How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Things You Already Buy

Understanding  what’s included  in your package can help you decide where it might be worth splashing out a bit more cash for an even more enchanting experience.

While every Disney cruise comes with its share of pixie dust, some experiences are so spectacular they justify the extra investment. From princess makeovers to adult-only fine dining, prioritizing the right upgrades can elevate your cruise from memorable to once-in-a-lifetime.

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Magical Makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirate’s League

The  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique  offers an opportunity for your children to transform into their favorite characters, whether that’s a prince, princess or pirate. Since you likely chose a Disney cruise for the unique Disney experience or because you or your children are fans of a character or two, it makes sense to take part in this one-of-a-kind makeover option.

Princess makeovers range from $100 to $450, with the basic “Deluxe Carriage Package” including hairstyling, shimmering makeup and face gem, princess sash and cinch sack, nail polish, and t-shirt. Pricier packages also include princess gowns, accessories, tiaras, and more. To give your princess a special experience at a lower cost, you could pack a princess dress rather than paying for the more expensive package that includes one.

For those who would like to become knights or captains, you can select a package that includes a costume, sack or backpack, hairstyling and gel, confetti, and either a sword and shield or a captain’s hat and an autograph book. These packages cost $100 for the knight and $120 for the captain. Pirate makeovers are available on special Pirate Party nights.

Beer Mug or Drink of the Day Savings Package

Although Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer an all-inclusive alcohol drink package, they do have alternatives that could be a good value if you plan to drink on your cruise. You can purchase a $17 souvenir glass beer mug that allows you to buy 21 oz of draught beer or hard cider for the price of a 16 oz beer or hard cider. This will pay for itself if you have more than around a half-dozen drinks, and you get a nifty keepsake that you can use on future cruises.

There is also an option to purchase a Drink of the Day cocktail souvenir cup that you may refill at a discounted price (and drinks of the day are already discounted). You can use these cups for drink discounts at Disney Castaway Cay as well, so don’t forget to pack your cup when you go ashore. Speaking of going ashore…

Port Adventures

A big part of cruising is going ashore during the port stops along the way. You may want to upgrade your trip by opting for  port adventure packages . These packages can include equipment rentals like bicycles, snorkels, and water tubes. They may also include cultural experiences, sightseeing, or even nature experiences like swimming with dolphins.

Booking your port adventures through Disney also offers the convenience of pre-set pricing, saving you the hassle of haggling or currency exchange. Not all the experiences are super expensive, and even splurging on a mid-range adventure will be a memorable upgrade to your cruise that reduces stress during port days.

Adult-Exclusive Dining

Every Disney Cruise ship offers dining options for adults only, so you can have a peaceful date night with your spouse while sailing. These dining options are only available for people 18 and older. The restaurant options include (depending on your ship) Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Remy, and Enchante.

After recent price increases in 2023, brunch and dinner at Palo and Palo Steakhouse will cost $50 per person for a fixed menu. Base dinner prices at Remy and Enchante are $135 per person. A la carte options are available for an 18% charge on top of the price of each item. While these meals are fairly pricey, especially considering other meals in the Dining Room are included in your ticket cost, you can’t put a dollar amount on an amazing adult-only date night.

Skip This Upgrade: Royal Court Royal Tea

One upgrade option you may have heard about is the Royal Court Royal Tea. While it’s a charming idea, especially for fans of Disney princesses, the cost is steep at $220 per child and $69 per adult.

While the description makes the Royal Tea sound charming, attendees have found it an expensive disappointment. Although it’s a popular add-on, popularity isn’t always synonymous with value. Besides, there is a completely free Princess Gathering where you can meet and greet your favorite Disney Princesses.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 4 Expensive Disney Cruise Options That Are Worth the Cost (and One That Isn’t)

The 7 best cruise ships for kids

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Kids can make or break your family cruise. If they’re bored and hate the food options, they will loudly and repeatedly express their displeasure. Pick the wrong cruise ship, and parents will feel as trapped as if they were stranded on a deserted island … with biting crabs underfoot.

The best cruises for kids take advantage of ships with endless fun for the under-18 crowd, plentiful dining that appeals to both young palates and bottomless teen tummies, accommodations and ship services that keep families in mind, and opportunities to meet and hang out with peers. No matter your family size or price range, you can find some incredible vacations at sea that will have kids exclaiming, “Best cruise ever!” by the end of the week.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s  cruise newsletter .

Find the top ship for your next trip with our list of the seven best cruise ships for kids (and their parents).

Disney Wish

No one is surprised that kids are highly entertained on a Disney cruise — but what might be surprising is how much there is for adults to do and enjoy , too. That’s especially true on the new Disney Wish , which debuted in the summer of 2022.

Disney Wish has four kids clubs divided by age, but the main Oceaneer Club for 3- to 12-year-olds has an all-new and exciting grand entrance. Kids get to enter the club by slide — and once inside, can explore the club’s spaces themed to “Star Wars,” fairy tales, Marvel and Disney Imagineers.

Along with the kids club on Disney Wish, junior cruisers will find two movie theaters with first-run Disney movies, Broadway-caliber shows featuring Aladdin and the Little Mermaid and dining experiences themed around Arendelle from “Frozen” and the Worlds of Marvel .

In addition to a “Star Wars-” themed bar and adults-only fine dining restaurants, adults will appreciate the little touches on Wish that make family cruising easier — split bathrooms in most cabins, a drop-off nursery, a splash area for toddlers and restaurant staff members who will offer high chairs and puree baby food.

Disney Wish sails short three- and four-night trips from Port Canaveral , Florida (near Orlando) that include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island , with its family beach, supervised child care, splash pad and strollers to borrow.

Related: How to save money on the cost of a Disney cruise  

A nearly identical sister ship, Disney Treasure , will debut in 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

It hasn’t even launched yet, and we’re already confident that Royal Caribbean ‘s new Icon of the Seas , soon to be the largest ship afloat, will be one of the top cruise ships for kids. Kids will never be bored on a ship with a six-slide water park, wild ropes course, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, sports court and Surfside — a half deck of play spaces and restaurants devoted to little kids and their families.

Kids (and parents) who like a good show can gasp as ice skaters land jumps on a rocking ship, and acrobatic divers flip and splash in the AquaTheater, now up high on the ship under a glass dome. Don’t miss pizza and parades on the Royal Promenade, Icon’s indoor shopping strip.

The ship will also have innovative new family cabins and suites, some with separate kids’ rooms, to better accommodate guests of all ages. The Ultimate Family Townhouse will be a massive three-floor living space with a screening room, karaoke machine, in-suite slide and a backyard that leads out to the Surfside family neighborhood.

Related: 5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids

Icon of the Seas will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in January 2024.

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens. Its top decks lure older kids with one of the biggest go-kart tracks in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and an open-air laser tag arena ideal for shooting matches under the stars. A huge virtual reality playground features rides and games that blow the standard cruise ship arcade out of the water.

Note to parents: Cruiselong passes for the go-kart race track , virtual reality games and laser tag do not come cheap. Be prepared to pull out your wallet to keep the teens happy.

At night, teens can feed their growing bodies with tacos, hibachi and barbecue, plus 24/7 burgers and comfort food at The Local. Afterward, they’ll agree to be seen in public with their parents at a show as cool as “Choir of Man.” It’s an easy concession, as they know they can always escape to the teen club, Entourage, to hang out with the cool kids late at night.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Norwegian Encore spends its summers in Alaska and winters in the Caribbean, with a handful of Panama Canal and Pacific Coast sailings in between.

Carnival Celebration

Passengers and crew members on Carnival Cruise Line ships come ready to meet new friends or share a laugh, a story and a drink with their shipmates. Social kids will fit right in and love the line’s huge, new ship Carnival Celebration . They can make friends at the Family Harbor Lounge, Camp Ocean and Dr. Seuss Bookville; older kids will enjoy the teen and tween clubs conveniently located near Guy Fieri’s burger stand and the video arcade.

Carnival Celebration and its near-identical twin fleet mate, Mardi Gras , are the only cruise ships boasting a top-deck roller coaster called Bolt. (That is until a third sister, Carnival Jubilee, debuts in late 2023.) A ride here is Instagram gold and the ultimate bragging rights for kids on vacation. The coaster dominates the Ultimate Playground area of the ship, where young cruisers can challenge their new friends to miniature golf, waterslide races, basketball and ropes course domination.

Kids who love a good food court can meet up with friends or family at several no-fee, casual eateries, including Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant and a trio of Street Eats venues featuring dumplings, meat on a stick and loaded French fries. All-hours pizza and ice cream will keep the whole family fueled up for the interactive “Family Feud Live” show.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Carnival Celebration sails weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. Its sister Mardi Gras sails similar Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando). Carnival Jubilee will be based out of Galveston, Texas, and offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises only.

Sun Princess

It may seem odd that two of our top ships for kids haven’t debuted yet. However, like Icon of the Seas, Princess Cruises ‘ new 4,300-passenger Sun Princess will be heads and shoulders above the rest of the fleet in terms of family entertainment. If you’re booking a multigenerational family cruise for 2024 or beyond, you will definitely want to keep this ship in mind.

Sun Princess will be the first Princess cruise ship to feature an expansive upper-deck activity zone that kids will love. Named Park19, it will feature nine fun-in-the-sun activities spanning three decks. The attractions include the Sea Breeze Rollglider (imagine a safer version of hang-gliding from an elevated track), a climbing structure with obstacles and a slide, a ropes course, a splash zone and a sports court.

Inside the ship, Firefly Park will have drop-off kid programming and family play spaces for kids 6 months to 7 years old. Tweens and teens will each have their own hangouts, Neon Grove and The Underground, with cozy lounge furniture and plenty of video and other games.

Related: Which cruise ship cabin category should your family book?

Sun Princess will split its time between Mediterranean cruises out of Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), Piraeus (the port for Athens) and Barcelona as well as Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.

MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises ‘ MSC Seascape is a floating megaresort with something for every type of kid. The ship stands out from its sisters because of its Robotron amusement park-style ride . Three riders at a time buckle into seating attached to a robotic arm, which then twists and turns to fly the riders over the ship and sea.

Water babies will make a break for the Pirates Cove Aquapark, with slides, a splash zone and a rope bridge. Other kids might spend their parents’ money on more virtual fun, indulging in F1 race car simulators, VR motorcycle racing, a 4D movie theater and a video arcade. Family groups can split into teams for sports court competitions or participate in organized games that rely on the latest technology to challenge guests of all ages.

The ship’s Lego-themed Doremi Land kids club has dedicated spaces for babies, kids and teens. The 7,567-square-foot space includes two Lego rooms (one for little kids to play with Duplos, the other with regular Lego bricks for older kids); the area also includes three spaces for teens — a gaming area (with VR options), a hangout with ping pong and foosball and a dance club.

Related: 7 cruise lines where kids sail free

And let’s not forget the line’s amazing pizza (including dessert versions slathered in Nutella) that families are sure to love.

MSC Seascape sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

AmaWaterways’ AmaLea

The typical river cruise draws a lot of retirees — except when Adventures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways. The two travel companies have created a river cruise vacation that is fun for grown-ups and kids.

AmaLea is one of the ships AmaWaterways custom-built for these family cruises. Certain twin balcony cabins sleep three, and suites sleep four to accommodate kids, with connecting cabin options for families who need more space. Unlike many river ships, AmaLea has a pool, as well as a surprise kid hit — giant outdoor chess.

While other ships sail the Seine and Rhine rivers, AmaLea travels the Danube through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Adventures by Disney makes the most of your time with shore excursions planned to entertain kids and adults, with options for supervised kid activities while parents head out on more grown-up tours. Your family might meet farm animals in Hungary, play hide-and-seek in a palace’s labyrinth maze in Austria and hang around in a treetop playground in Germany.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

On board, kids’ menus are available, and the occasional pajama party whisks kids away for pizza and a movie while adults linger over dinner.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Home / Russia Travel Tips & Essential Advice / Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Moscow’s restaurant scene is booming with Russian dishes that are to die for. A city in the midst of a foodie revolution where almost anything goes, there is perhaps no dining scene in Europe as dynamic, exciting and adventurous as Moscow’s. 

At long last, Moscow is being recognised as an international culinary destination. New eateries are popping up at an astounding rate, and first-time visitors can expect to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to places to eat in Moscow.

This guide to eating out in Moscow covers some of the top restaurants in Moscow for any budget, from the top end of town to some of the city’s tastiest cheap eats. There are plenty of excellent options here whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Moscow. We’ve focused mainly on Moscow restaurants serving Russian food but thrown in some best-in-class representations of other cuisines for some added variety. In this list, you’ll find some of the most famous restaurants in Moscow, a few lesser-known gems and a few totally unique institutions which have become Moscow tourist attractions in their own right. Moscow’s food prices vary wildly. It’s easy to spend big in this town, but it’s also easy to find extremely affordable eats if you know where to look. One thing is for sure though – no matter what your tastes or budget, in Moscow, you’ll never go hungry for long.

Table of Contents

Fine Dining Restaurants in Moscow

Café pushkin.

A Moscow institute is known for its impeccable fine dining Russian and French cuisine, the palatial Café Pushkin opened in 1999 and immediately attracted a loyal following among high society folk. Elaborately decorated to recreate the feel of a 19th-century aristocrat’s manor, Pushkin has become equally popular with tourists keen to soak up the stately atmosphere of pre-Revolution Russia. The menu features sophisticated interpretations of definitive Russian cuisine, with a nod to classical French techniques. The kitchen’s insistence on high-quality ingredients lifts well-known favourites to another level of complexity and refinement. The signature beef stroganoff consistently receives rave reviews, while the roasted rack of lamb is the ultimate in rich, meaty indulgence. Of course, a restaurant of this standing serves several varieties of caviar a selection of top-shelf vodkas fit for an emperor.

Despite its rather formal appearance, the Café Pushkin experience is utterly charming. The waiters dress like 19th-century servants and diners are treated like royalty, but not without a sense of fun and theatrics. Bookings well advance are recommended.

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Price Range: 3-course dinner at approx. 3,500-4,000 RUB plus drinks (US $60-80) Hours: Open 24 hours for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks Address: 26A Tverskoy Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya Contact Details: cafe-pushkin.ru, +7 495 739-00-33 Facebook

White Rabbit

Consistently ranking in Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious annual World 50 Best Restaurants list, White Rabbit is the first restaurant in Russia to receive such international acclaim. Its success (it secured 15 th place on the list in 2018) is a sure sign of Moscow’s ascendance as a global gastronomy destination.

White Rabbit’s whimsical and immersive interiors are designed to evoke a sense of fantasy and wonder, with rabbits everywhere and antique rococo furniture straight out of a Wonderland tea party. On the 16 th floor of the Smolenskiy Passazh shopping centre, White Rabbit’s glass dome captures mesmerising 360-degree views, showcasing the awe-inspiring scale of the Russian capital.

Chef Vladimir Mukhin has dreamt up an inventive European menu employing seasonal ingredients from across Russia. Standout dishes from this luxury Moscow restaurant include rabbit and cabbage rolls with potato crisps and truffle, roast suckling pig and Black Sea oysters.

Price Range: ‘Russian Evolution’ tasting menu – 10,000 RUB per person Hours: Mon-Wed and Sun 12pm – 12am; Thur-Sat 12pm – 2am Address: 3 Smolenskaya Square, Smolensky Passazh Shopping Centre, 16th floor Nearest Metro Station: Smolenskaya Contact Details: whiterabbitmoscow.ru ,   +7 495 782-62-62

One of the best and most luxurious restaurants in Moscow.  The Estate is designed in style of baroque, classicism and renaissance. The refine painting, jewel porcelain vases, moulding, genuine Gobelene tapestries, ancient clocks and fireplaces. Two workshops of wood engravers, painters, sculptors had been manufacturing the interior’s details for six years. All here including carved lumps of modern authors’ work is of museum importance.

The menu includes dishes from Japan, European, Chinese cuisines, and fusion cuisine, as well. Alan Yao, the only chief cook who is awarded with two stars of Mishlen, is responsible here for Asian food. The music corresponds to the institution: instrumental music (harp, violin, violoncello) sounds here every evening.

Price Range: Average check with no drinks RUB 4,000 (US $70) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 26/5 Tverskoi Bulvar Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya Contact Details: turandot-palace.ru ,+7 (495) 739-0011

This Siberian restaurant is dark and traditional. The tables are lit by small lamps with tassels, while chandeliers contribute more to mood than illumination. Mournful music plays softly, the sound absorbed by the heavy tablecloths and all the soft furnishings. The menu is a treat for the adventurous. You might start with pate of polar partridge, then go for the sweet grilled meat of Altay yak with tomato and mustard sauce; or the gamey richness of minced meat of Sayan bear with cream-cowberry sauce and buckwheat.

Price Range: Average check RUB 4,500 (US $80) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 25 Gogolevsky Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Arbatskaya, Kropotninskaya Contact Details: chemodan-msk.ru Ph +7 (495) 695-38-19

Grand Café Dr. Zhivago

This ornate brasserie across from the Kremlin is Russian kitsch, with oversized statues, bright red chairs, white walls and colorful ceilings. It feels anachronistic, yet it’s the creation of a modern restaurateur, Alexander Rappoport.

There’s a lightness of touch in the dishes on a long menu celebrating Russian favorites from dumplings and pickled cabbage through to goose stew with cowberry. It’s especially good for breakfast, which includes more than 20 egg dishes and about a dozen types of porridge.

Price Range: Average check RUB 2,000-2,500 (US $40) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya Contact Details: drzhivago.ru

Erwin RekaMoreOkean

Another project of Aleksandr Rappoport, a restaurant with a phenomenal variety of fish and seafood at the most reasonable prices. Ninety percent of the fish in the restaurant is caught in Russia (from 25 rivers and seas). The restaurant features a caviar and oyster bar. Slices of frozen nelma (Siberian white salmon) and sterlet, thaw in the mouth with a natural, revealing taste of fish. Here, you can try the legendary Sagudai (raw fish slices) of muksun is the traditional Russian version of the ceviche. The restaurant also offers a large variety of crabs and shrimps: king crab, snow crab, frog crab, blue king crab, spiky crab, hairy crab, Argentinian shrimp from the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean; Dock shrimp from the cold waters of the northern seas and others.

A branch of this restaurant – “Erwin Reka”, is located directly on the board of the luxury yacht of the “Radisson Royal, Moscow” flotilla which daily cruises the Moscow River. The restaurant is open from noon to 1:00 am, and twice a day, at a scheduled time, travels along the Moscow river. The yacht-icebreaker leaves from the “Hotel Ukraine” pier regardless of the season and the weather: twice a day on weekdays (3.30pm and 8.00pm) and three times a day on weekends (12.00pm, 3.30pm, 8.00pm). Guests can enjoy not only the first-class fish and seafood dishes during a river cruise, but also relish picturesque views of the capital main sights: the famous high-rise hotel “Ukraine”, the House of Government of the Russian Federation, the Novodevichy Monastery, the Moscow State University complex, the Luzhniki Stadium, Gorky Park, the Central House of Artists, the giant Monument to Peter the Great, the legendary House on the embankment, the gold-domed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Moscow Kremlin and the gingerbread-like St. Basil’s Cathedral, the skyscraper on the Kotelnicheskaya embankment and the Zaryadye Park.

Price Range: Main dishes from RUB 960 to 5800 ($20-100), sets – from RUB 5100 to 21000 ($90-$350) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 2/1 Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Bldg. 2 Nearest Metro Station: Contact Details: rekamoreokean.ru , +7-495-785-02-22

Wine & Crab

This fun restaurant is on the main pedestrianized shopping street linking Red Square and Lubyanka. You can see the crabs as you enter. There are about 10 varieties, including Kamchatka king crab and Horsehair crab.

Price Range: Monday Party set, RUB 6,150 ($95) for 1.5 kilos of crab and 1.5 liters or Prosecco. Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 19-21 Nikolskaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Lubyanka, Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: winecrab.ru, +7 495 621-73-29

If you want to dine with the oligarchs and the politicians, Beluga is a great place. It’s on the second floor of the Hotel National, which opened in 1903 and the restaurant’s large windows have views of the Kremlin. (Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago is downstairs.) This is one of Moscow’s most famous luxury restaurants and just the place to invite your favorite big shot. Take your pick from two dozen varieties of caviar, washed down with a variety of vodkas as big as your pockets. It would be a shame to miss the Champagne, too.

Price Range: Average check RUB 3,500 (US $55) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: belugamoscow.ru , +7 (495) 901-03-36

Mid-Range Restaurants in Moscow

Sapiens est kitchen & bar.

The founding concept of this new gastronomic venue is companionship, which you can go there for at any time. In the morning Sapiens prepares fabulous breakfasts, in the afternoon a-la carte lunches, and in the evening guests can enjoy signature cocktails and musical rhythms from top DJs. The menu includes modern European dishes and the best examples of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,200-1,700 (US $18-$25) Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm–12am; Fri-Sat 12pm–6am Address: Pushechnaya St, 4, building 1 Nearest Metro Station: Kuzneysky Most, Lubyanka Contact Details: sapiens-est.ru , +7 925 229-94-45

Lavka-Lavka Farm to Table

Located within walking distance from the Bolshoi Theatre, Farm Restaurant Lavka-Lavka is the place of a new Russian cuisine. All the ingredients are delivered from local farmers and the dishes are cooked in a simple yet sophisticated way. The menu is an interesting twist on traditional Russian food: you can try such unique specialties as meat tartar and deer heart. 

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, the staff is really nice and there is also a nice feature: a menu lists the name of the farmer who supplied the ingredients for the dishes. Each guest has a chance not only to try delicious meals with an original recipe but also to reconnect with the great tradition of Russian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: Mon 6pm–12am; Tue-Sun 12pm–12am Address: Petrovka St, 21, building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Chekhovskaya, Tverskaya, Trubnaya Contact Details: lavkalavka.rest , +7 495 621 20 36

The exquisite interior of 1956, picturesque views, author’s kitchen – the team of the restaurant Ottepel is inviting you to appreciate design of the reconstructed historical pavilion and enjoy ingenious dishes.

Staff wear Mondrian-inspired aprons and the menu is innovative — the restaurant specializes in upgrading well-known, simple Soviet dishes into high-end cuisine. Traditional Russian cabbage soup “shchi” (420 rubles) counts calamari among its ingredients while the ubiquitous cold soup “okroshka” (360 rubles) features salty pastrami. Another trending item is the  “koryushka” served with potatoes (380 rubles). The smelt fish originates from the Baltic sea and is immensely popular in St. Petersburg. If you seek a filling meal, try chicken in Georgian “satsivi” sauce with fried polenta and cheese (610 rubles).

It’s an innovative throwback to the Soviet era, and perfectly at home in the ramblingly grandiose exhibition park of VDNH.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–10pm Address: Mira St, 119, building 311 Nearest Metro Station: VDNH, Botanichesky Sad Contact Details: ottepel-restoran.ru , +7 495 748-61-02

Homey dining room for traditional Russian delicacies, decorated with standard lamps, bookcases and old photos on the wall. Its traditional Russian living room decoration and some Russian old school music playing in the background really gives you this “lovely Russian babushka” vibe which is part of the fun.

Portions are quite big and the price is reasonable. The menu itself is really interesting for tourists. Try out these traditional soviet Russian dishes: homemade cakes, borscht, Bird’s milk dessert. This is the right place to enjoy the delicious authentic meal, attentive service, and excellent ambiance! A great bonus for cat lovers: A resident cat Benjamin will stroll around now and then.

Price Range: Average check USD $25-$30 Hours: 10am–10:30pm Address: Spiridonievsky st 10A, level 1 Nearest Metro Station: Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya Contact Details: marivanna.ru/msk , +7 495 650-65-00

The word  uhvat  refers to a long-handled wooden utensil used to slide food in and out of a pechka, a wood-fired oven found in many Russian houses until the late 19th century. Uhvat is one of the restaurants leading the resurgence in traditional Slavic cooking, with slow-cooked dishes such as pumpkin  kashas  (a type of porridge) with honey and linden dressing (£3.50), baked roe with pickled bramble (£14)  schchi  soups with fermented cabbage and  chichelindas , an old recipe for pate, here made with ox tail (£5). Don’t leave without tasting  toplyonoe moloko , a thick creamy dessert made by baking milk for several hours. The pechka oven features in many Russian fairytales – the Baba Yaga witch shoves children into ovens – and takes the centre stage at Uhvat. Daily rituals, such as using goose feathers to dust out the ashes, enhance the magical atmosphere.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: Rodchelskaya St 15, building 41 Nearest Metro Station: Krasnopresnenskaya Contact Details: uhvat.restaurant , +7 977 125-51-77

Art Rukav ( Rukav means sleeve) is a big platform where the free spirit of art and creativity reigns. There are art workshops, a gallery and a restaurant under the same roof. Rukav was named after the surname of the Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov.

Immersion in the world of art begins from the very first entrance through the massive decorated door. In the cloakroom you get checks in the form of drops, bright red ladders harmonize with dark sofas… There is even a pipe-shaped slide! The place is really unique and is dramatically different from the usual places to eat. During lunches you will surely be attracted by the details in decorating: to the stylized ware, for example, or an unusual sculpture next to your chair.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: 59 Zemlyanoy Val, Building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Taganskaya, Chkalovskaya Contact Details: art-rukav.ru , +7 (499) 271 88 74

Megobari Wine Bar & Restaurant

Megobari comes from Georgian and means as much as friend . This place brings the authentic Georgian dinning experience directly to Moscow and offers an eclectic variety of Georgian dishes including hand-made baked goods, meat stews, kebabs platters, as well as a wide variety of wines from the mountains of Georgia.

Price Range: average check USD $20-$35 Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am Address: Maroseika 15 Nearest Metro Station: Kitay-Gorod Contact Details: megobari.wine , +7 (905) 700-40-07

Quick bites and budget restaurants in Moscow

Lepim i varim.

Lepim i Varim is legendary for boasting some of the most incredible pelmeni in town. These beautiful, hand-sculpted parcels of deliciousness consist of an outer pocket of unleavened dough, wrapped around a filling of ground meat, boiled and served piping hot. Lepim i Varim make everything from scratch and you can watch the pelmeni masters at work in the open kitchen while you queue up at the counter.

Traditional Siberian pelmeni are stuffed with mildly spiced pork and beef. In addition to the classics, Lepim’s have invented several original pelmeni creations. There’s an extravagant Kamchatka king crab, an Italian inspired chicken, parmesan and basil, and several vegetarian options including mashed potato and fried onion.

Price Range: Classic pelmeni 270 RUB (standard serve), 350 RUB (large serve), US $6-$10 Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am – 12am Address: Stoleshnikov Ln, 9, Buidling 1 Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: lepimivarim.ru, +7 499 399-31-23

Stolovaya No. 57

You might not expect to find an economy-priced cafeteria inside the stately walls of GUM, an enormous shopping centre on the Red Square specialising in luxury brands. But it seems no Muscovite (wealthy fashionistas and penny-pinching students alike) can resist cheap, simple and delicious Russian comfort fare, dished out in a quaint, Soviet-style “stolovaya” (a self-service, canteen-style eatery).

Stolovaya No. 57 serves the Russian equivalent of a home-cooked meal in a standard Russian family. Salads are super-popular here, including the mayonnaise-heavy Oliver salad and shuba (“Herring in a Fur Coat”) a layered salad of pickled herring, eggs, beets, carrots and potatoes in a creamy dressing. Also on the menu are beef stroganoff, chicken kiev and chebureki (a deep-fried, meat-filled pastry turnover).

Price Range: Mains 150 – 400 RUB, US $3-$10 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: Krasnaya Sq., 3 | Inside GUM, level 3  Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: gum.ru/cafe/stolovaya-57 , +7 495 620-31-29

The newly opened vegan restaurant run by gastro-enthusiasts who have collected a minimalistic menu from a variety of cuisines, self-described as “smart casual.” You can see everything being cooked right in front of you in the open kitchen.

Price Range: Mains 450-600 RUB Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: 15/1 Tsvetnoy Blvd | “Tsvetnoy” Shopping Centre, 5th floor Nearest Metro Station: Tsvetnoy Bulvar, Trubnaya Contact Details: 5plus2cafe.ru , +7 995 301-64-48

Grechka Lab

The 1914 building — home of Moscow merchant Ivan Mikhailovich Korovin, and thereafter a bakery — was converted into a bright and airy café, contemporary bakery and brunch spot in the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. Flowers placed around the windows are a nod to wheat fields (‘ grechka ’ translates to buckwheat), whilst considered seating and textured walls evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Enjoy healthy soups, mains and salads, and try tasty éclairs,  “syrniki”  and cheesecakes.

Price Range: Average check 450-600 RUB, US $6-$8 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 8am – 11pm Address: Pushechnaya St 7/5c2 Nearest Metro Station: Kuznetsky Most, Lubyanka, Teatralnaya Contact Details: grechkalab.ru, +7 495 921-02-01

If you’re looking for a place that offers quick, cost-effective and flavoursome meals and snacks near Tretyakov Gallery, check out Vai Me!, a Georgian cafe chain with a fast-casual dining style. It has a self-service format with buzzers to let you know when your food is ready, so you don’t need to wait for your food at the checkout.

Despite the low prices, there are a variety of amazingly authentic Georgian dishes on offer. Muscovites love Georgian cuisine, and here they serve Moscow favourites like  khinkali  (Georgian dumplings), k hachapuri  (cheese-filled bread) and  satsivi  (chicken in walnut sauce).

Price Range: Average check RUB 350-600, US $5-$8 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: 8 Pyatniskiy St, Section 1 Nearest Metro Station: Novokuznetskaya Contact Details: vaimecafe.com , +7 499 646 02 20

This Canadian restaurant and juice bar is on a mission to prove that vegetarian dining can be filling, exciting and varied and does not necessarily need to involve stereotypical joss sticks, Indian tapestries and variations on the lentil. Interior-wise it’s as fresh as they come, all clean minimalist lines, favouring industrial materials and rough edges over cuddly pictures of ethnic tribes. On the food front, Fresh gets full marks for providing an experience that both vegetarians and meat-eaters can salivate over – huge wraps bursting with scrumptious goodies and noodles bowls brimming with both delicate and fiery Asian flavours are just some of the long list of hits.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,500, US $20 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: Bolshaya Dmitrovka 11, building 1A Nearest Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Pushkinskaya Contact Details: freshrestaurant.ru , +7 965 278-90-89, +7 495 641-89-81

Marketplace

Part fresh produce market, part restaurant, Marketplace’s chic, minimalist design, open kitchen and well-priced, vegetarian-friendly international menu keep the atmosphere buzzingly energetic.

You can be sure the ingredients are fresh and everything is cooked in front of you while you wait. Once your meal arrives, retreat to the bright, stylish dining room or kick back with a beer in a courtyard full of potted plants and colourful metal chairs. There are sandwiches and shashlik for a substantial snack or salads for the health-conscious (minus the typical heavy Russian dressing). Also on offer are Asian wok stir-fries and a variety of pasta. For a sweet snack, pastries are baked on-site, ready to pair with a cappuccino or milkshake.

Price Range: Sandwiches approx. 220 RUB, mains approx. 300-500 RUB Hours: Sun-Thur 8am – 11pm, Fri-Sat 8am – 1am Address: 13 Myasnitskaya ST Nearest Metro Station: Chiste Prudy or Lubyanka Contact Details: market-place.me , +7 929 577-73-77

Shuk Food Mall

You find yourself in a lively, happy crowd, tucking into huge portions of fantastic Israeli food, and nothing can convince that you’re not actually in the middle of a Tel Aviv shuk. Tucked into a cozy side street in central Moscow, this place is fantastic. The atmosphere is simply delightful – and so is the food.

Price Range: Average check 700 RUB Hours: Every day 8am – 11pm Address: 7 Veskovskiy Ln Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya Contact Details: +7 495 966-25-01

DEPO Food Mall

Depo (which means ‘ depot ’ in Russian) food mall opened in Moscow in February 2019 on the premises of a former tram depot. Built between 1874 and 1910 in the industrial neo-Gothic style, the red-brick Miussky tram depot is considered an important architectural monument.

Depo houses a small farmer’s market, with fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat, as well as the largest food court in Moscow (and, allegedly, in the whole of Europe) with more than 70 stalls, where one can sample food from all over the world – from China to Thailand and from Mexico to Morocco. The food mall also regularly hosts live concerts, DJ sets, workshops and public lectures.

Apart from the main building, which contains the market and the food mall, there are several proper restaurants on the premises of the former depot, including Kraby Kutaby (Crabs and Qutabs) by one of Moscow’s leading restaurateurs, Alexander Rappaport.

Price Range: vide range Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10am – 11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-2am Address: 20 Lesnaya, Building 3 Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya, Belorusskaya Contact Details: depomoscow.ru , +7 495 788-88-10, +7 495 788-88-33

If these sound like music to your ears (or more fittingly, tickles your tastebuds) then check out some of our guided Russia tours for a one-stop ticket to discovering even more about the Moscow food scene. Check out the video below to see some delicious food you could find in Moscow:

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Jun 06 2018.

War, hunger, and some of the world’s great doomed social experiments all changed the way that Moscow eats.

Moscow, the European metropolis on Asia’s western flank, has always been a canvas for competing cultures. Its cuisine is no different. The ancient baselines of winter grains, root vegetables, and cabbage acquired scaffolding from both directions: eastern horsemen brought meat on sticks, western craftsmen brought pastries, and courtly French chefs came and drowned it all in cream.

History has a place on the plate here, as well: war, hunger, and some of the world’s great doomed social experiments from Serfdom to Communism to Bandit Capitalism all changed the way that Moscow eats. So in the spirit of all of those grand failures, we—a Russian chef and an American writer—will attempt here to reduce the towering history of this unknowable city to 13 dishes, with some Imperial past but a special emphasis on the more recent decades of culinary paroxysms as Moscow emerged from its Soviet slumber.

Olivier Salad

To visualize the long marriage between French and Russian cuisines, picture Peter the Great, on a diplomatic sojourn to Paris in 1717, a “ stranger to etiquette ”, meeting the 7-year-old boy-king Louis XV and lifting him in the air out of sheer elán. These things were simply not done, and yet, there they were. Peter’s joyful (and often envious) fascination with all things French took hold, among other places, in the kitchen. He brought French chefs back to his palaces, and then the lesser nobility followed suit, and when the first restaurants emerged in Moscow, they also spoke French. The Hermitage Restaurant, which was open from 1864 until history intervened in 1917, had a Francophone Belgian named Lucien Olivier as a chef, and he made a salad that was a perfectly unrestrained combination of French flavors and Russian ingredients: grouse! Veal tongue! Proto-mayonnaise! The ingredients now tend toward the pedestrian—boiled beef, dill pickles, various vegetables all bound with mayonnaise—and it has become a staple of Russian cuisine, especially on New Year’s. And yes, if you’ve ever seen the lonely Ensalada Rusa wilting behind the sneezeguard of a Spanish tapas bar, that is supposed to be a successor to the Olivier. But in Moscow, you should eat Matryoshka ’s version, which is not the original recipe but has some of that imperial richness: crayfish, quail, sturgeon caviar, and remoulade, all under a translucent aspic skirt, for 990₽ ($16).

There’s a type of expression around bottling things—bottled lightning, summer in a jar, etc.—that feels very apt here. What exactly is bottled with vareniye (jam)? A lot more than just fruit. These jams, which tend to be thinner than western varieties—with whole berries or fruit chunks in syrup—are bottled with a lot of Russian identity. There’s the Russian love of countryside. Deep dacha culture of summer cottages and personal orchards. Traditional naturopathy (raspberry vareniye taken with tea will fight fever). And above all, friendship is bottled here— vareniye made from the overabundance of fruit at one’s dacha is the most typical Russian gift, real sharing from real nature, even in the often-cynical heart of Europe’s largest megacity. Visitors who are short on lifelong friendships in Moscow can pick some up fine vareniye at any Lavka Lavka shop (we recommend the delicate young pine cone jam) or, curiously enough, at many Armenian stores.

Borodinsky Bread

The clinical-sounding title of Lev Auerman’s 1935 classic Tekhnologiya Khlebopecheniya ( Bread Baking Technology) doesn’t promise scintillation. But Auerman’s recipe for rye bread changed Russian bread forever. An older legend had it that the bread was baked dark for mourning by a woman widowed in the battle of Borodino in 1812, but the real birth of the bread came from Auerman’s recipes. A modification on sweet, malted Baltic breads, Auerman’s Borodinsky bread was 100% rye and used caraway or anise. The recipe has evolved a bit—today it is 80% rye and 20% wheat high extraction flour and leans more on coriander than caraway. But its flavor profile (sweet, chewy) as well as its characteristic L7 mold —a deep brick of bread—has made it easily identifiable as the traditional, ubiquitous, every-occasion bread of Moscow. You can buy it everywhere, but the Azbuka Vkusa high-end markets have a reliably good sliced version.

Buckwheat Grechka

Look closely at those Russians who have followed their money to live in London, or are vacationing in Cyprus or Antalya. See the slight melancholy that not even cappuccinos or sunshine can erase. It’s not because Russians are gloomy by nature; it’s probably because there is no real grechka outside of Russia and Ukraine, and that is devastating. Buckwheat grain and groats— grechka (or grecha in Saint Petersburg)—are deep in the culture. It’s a wartime memory: May 9 Victory Day celebrations feature military kitchens serving buckwheat like they did at the front. It’s a little slice of Russian history that lies somewhere between oatmeal and couscous. In Moscow, eat it at Dr. Zhivago with milk (180₽/US$2.90) or mushrooms (590₽/US$9.50), and rejoice.

Mimoza Salad

This fantastically expressive egg-and-canned-fish salad is a testament to Soviet ingenuity—it’s the ultimate puzzle to make a drastically limited food chain sparkle—and the universal human thrill of layering foods. The geological creation starts with a base layer of fish, then layers of grated cooked potato, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, grated carrots, sweet onion, diced egg whites and then capped with a brilliant yellow crumble of boiled egg yolk. It sits there on the plate, dazzling like the flowering mimosa tree it is named after. The taste? Well, it’s comfort food. Pick some up to go at any Karavaev Brothers location —the excellent deli chain sells it for 650₽ (US$10.40) a kilo.

It seems odd, almost impossible, to imagine a time in Russia before shashlik. It’s meat on a stick, something that all humans should have had on the menu since at least the time of Prometheus. But shashlik as we know it know—cubes of marinated meat cooked with vegetables over a mangal grill—didn’t really take off in Russia until the early 1900s. And due to a lack of suitable meat in much of the Soviet era (there were no meat cattle herds, only dairy), we’re starting the clock on shashlik in the late Soviet period. Despite its relatively recent (re)appearance, it is now the ubiquitous grill phenomenon of Russia, a welcome ritual of summer.

Much of Russian cuisine has borrowed heavily from Central Asia and further east over the millennia ( pelmeni anyone?), but plov is a striking example of an entire eastern dish making its way directly into Russian households. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and upheaval in many Central Asian Soviet Republics, mass economic migration to Moscow took off in the late 80s and early 90s. Central Asians today are the lifeblood of the Moscow labor force (part of up to 10-12 million Central Asian migrants living in Russia), and plov—rice steamed in stock with meat and vegetables—has jumped from the migrant communities to the homes of Muscovites everywhere. It has developed an unfortunate reputation for being a food that even finicky kids will eat, so there is a lot of harried domestic plov being made. But you can get a fully expressed Uzbek version at Danilovsky Market, online at plov.com , or at Food City—the surf-and-turf Tsukiji of Moscow.

The Big Mac

So many of the difficulties in American-Russian relations come down to one foundational attitude problem: The Americans (that’s half of this writing duo) were incredibly, distressingly smug through the entire fall of the Soviet Union. We mistook Soviet failure for an American victory, and that made all the difference. What does that have to do with a Big Mac? Well, when Russia’s first McDonald’s opened on Pushkinskaya in 1990 and 5000 people turned out to wait in line for the first taste of America, we back home in the states mistook it for culinary and commercial superiority. But there was something more complicated happening: Russians had been denied Western goods for so long and with such force that any outside identity was much-needed oxygen. And the long-term victory, as McDonald’s has continued to thrive in post-Soviet Russia, really belongs to the local franchise, which used higher-quality ingredients than in the U.S. and created a chain that was successful not because of its American identity but because of its Russian modifications. We wouldn’t recommend eating at any McDonald’s, especially not when there is Teremok for your fast-food needs, but having a soda in the original location is one way to sit and ponder the sin of hubris. And to use the free toilet and Wi-Fi.

The crown jewel of Levantine meat preparations, perhaps the single greatest street meat in the world: Shawarma. It first came to Moscow with a shawarma joint across from the Passazh mall, opened in the early 90s by Syrian cooks who dazzled masses with their sizzling, spinning, spiced meat emporium. Lines that stretched into the hundreds of people weren’t uncommon in those heady early days. And even though the original spot closed many years ago, Moscow shawarma only grew from there, mutating into the beast it is today, where you’re likely to find chicken, cabbage, mayo and a thin tomato sauce all combining to make the Levant a distant memory.

Fish Tartare aka Sashimi

One result of the aforementioned American smugness is that the West seemed surprised at how rapidly 1990s Russia assimilated some of the most hardcore capitalist traits, including but not limited to conspicuous consumerism. Moscow’s new elite was very, very good at that. What could be more conspicuous that recreating a restrained, exclusive seafood cuisine from Japan in the chaotic, landlocked megacity of Moscow? The very improbability of high-end sushi and sashimi in Moscow fueled much of its allure, and even though the trends have moved on from sushi, you can still tell the emotional attachment that the oligarch class has to those formative wastes of money. Sumosan restaurant started in Moscow back in 1997 and has since expanded to Monte Carlo and Londongrad , where they serve a dish that they call Fish Tartare, among others, in their restaurants and through their private jet catering service.

Blue Cheese roll

If the early elite sushi restaurants in Moscow were the frivolous edge of a food phenomenon, then Yakitoriya , a chain which started in the late 1990s, democratized it with affordable sushi rolls geared to local tastes. The Blue Cheese Roll, available now on their menu, seems like the apex (or nadir) of the Russianized roll: salmon, smoked eel, cucumber, cream cheese, Blue Cheese sauce. It might not be Jiro’s dream, but a true Russian middle class, one that can work honestly, earn meaningful salaries, and have a freaky sushi roll at the end of the week just like the rest of us—that’s something worthing dreaming for. Blue Cheese Roll, Yakitoriya, 417₽ (US$6.70)

If you’re American, have you ever wondered why tacos took over middle America but sopes remain virtually unknown? It’s curious how a country can assimilate some foods from their neighbors and but remain blissfully ignorant of others. That may explain what took place two years ago in Moscow, when the city seemingly discovered, as if for the first time, the bagged awesomeness that is khinkali , a soup dumpling from Russia’s southern neighbor Georgia. It became very trendy very quickly, and khinkali joints sprouted across Moscow like griby after a rain. But it wasn’t just that dish: what they were serving was a bit of the imagined southern, sybaritic lifestyle of the Caucasus, as promised in restaurant names like Est’ Khinkali Pit Vino ( Eat Khinkali Drink Wine ). Your best bets are at the stately Sakhli , around 100₽ (US$1.60) per soft, fulsome dumpling, or the more modernized Kafe Khinkalnaya on Neglinnaya Street , 100₽ (US$0.80) a dumpling.

We have named burrata—yes, that Italian alchemy of cheese and cream—the Perfect Dish of Moscow 2018, if only because it is the Dish of the Moment, ready to be enjoyed at the height of its faddishness now, and equally ready to be replaced when the city decides to move on. Read Anna Maslovskaya’s masterful breakdown of why—and where—to eat burrata in Moscow.

Top image: Olivier salad with chicken. Photo by: Kvector /Shutterstock

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The Perfect Dish: The Moscow Burrata

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Good Food Show at Sea

We know good cuisine is at the heart of every cruise experience, which is why we're bringing you the ultimate culinary voyage - the Good Food Show at Sea. Fall in love with food on this voyage of discovery on board Sky Princess, where celebrity guests like John Torode, Lisa Faulkner, Gennaro Contaldo and Rachel Allen headline an esteemed line-up of culinary stars bringing the Good Food Show to life. Partake in food tastings, cocktail masterclasses, interactive workshops and more, as well as exploring iconic foodie destinations like Lisbon and Bilbao.

Culinary Talent

This 14-night Spain and Portugal cruise departs from Southampton on 2 Nov 2024 and it’s the perfect holiday if you’re looking to indulge in a gastronomic extravaganza. Sample exclusive menus created by our Good Food partners, witness awe-inspiring demos by celebrity chefs and the talented Good Food team and get the chance to ask your burning cooking questions during intimate meet and greets. Now, meet the esteemed guest line-up who will bring this unforgettable voyage to life.

John Torode MBE

John Torode MBE is a renowned UK chef best known as the straight-talking co-host and judge of BBC's MasterChef. He also co-hosts John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen with his wife, Lisa Faulkner. An influential culinary figure, Torode has run successful restaurants, authored acclaimed cookbooks, and received an MBE for services to food, broadcasting, and charity.

Lisa Faulkner

Lisa Faulkner is an acclaimed actress turned celebrity cook, best known as the winner of BBC's Celebrity MasterChef in 2010. She co-hosts the popular weekend cooking show John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen alongside her husband, John Torode, inspiring audiences with her culinary skills. Faulkner has authored a bestselling cookbook and frequently appears at food events and on TV shows.

Gennaro Contaldo

Amalfi Coast native Gennaro Contaldo is the Italian legend who taught Jamie Oliver all he knows about his homeland’s national cuisine. Contaldo’s TV credits include Jamie Cooks Italy and BBC2’s Two Greedy Italians alongside the late, great Antonio Carluccio. He’s also the Italian food expert and main guest chef on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast and Jamie’s Christmas.

Rachel Allen

Rachel Allen is a renowned Irish chef, cookbook author, and teacher at the prestigious Ballymaloe Cookery School. After studying and working at Ballymaloe, she gained global recognition through her bestselling cookbooks, popular TV shows showcasing her cooking expertise, and live culinary demonstrations.

Cyrus Todiwala OBE, DL

Cyrus Todiwala OBE, DL is a highly acclaimed Indian chef, TV personality, author, and restaurateur. He co-owns the renowned Café Spice Namasté in London with his wife Pervin, regularly appears on shows like BBC's Saturday Kitchen, and champions causes like sustainability and healthy eating. Todiwala has been honoured with an MBE for services to education and training and an OBE for his contributions to the hospitality industry.

Andy Clarke

Andy Clarke is a prominent British food and drink personality, acclaimed as one of the UK's most exciting voices in the industry. He has developed and produced popular TV shows like Saturday Kitchen Live, James Martin's Culinary Adventures, and Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip. Clarke regularly appears as a food, wine, and cocktail expert on shows like This Morning, Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, and the documentary Britain's Favourite Cheese at Christmas.

Greg Rutherford

Greg Rutherford is an Olympic Gold, World and European Athletics Champion medallist. After retiring from athletics, he has gone on to appear on BBC Two’s The Pilgrimage and Celebrity MasterChef, which he won in 2019. In the same year, he also appeared on Sink or Swim for Channel 4, swimming the Channel in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. Greg also previously donned his sequins and appeared on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing Series 14.

Maunika Gowardhan

Maunika Gowardhan is an Indian chef and bestselling cookbook author, with a career that stems from her love for authentic flavours, cooking techniques and being able to share a fresh perspective on the cuisine. Through her work in food, she creates and shares traditional Indian dishes with exciting flavours and ingredients that are reflective of her heritage and upbringing in Mumbai.

Chris Baber

Chris has a passion for home-cooked family-style food and is on a mission to make cooking easier, more accessible, and delicious. His passion for seasonal food makes it all the more cost effective too. He worked under Atul Kochhar at his Michelin-starred restaurant, but his real passion is inspiring others and making home cooking accessible for everyone.

Meet your Good Food Show hosts

Barney desmazery.

Good Food's longest serving member, Barney has written thousands of recipes and worked with top British chefs. He trained alongside Jamie Oliver and worked at top restaurants before transitioning to test kitchens. At Good Food, he’s brought his expertise in sourdough, foraging, seasonal ingredients, and more to his Next Level series, which shows him updating classic recipes. He’ll be hosting some unmissable demos and tastings on board Sky Princess.

Cassie Best

Cassie is the Food Director at Good Food. A Leiths-trained chef, she begun her career at Good Food with an internship. Over her 10 year tenure with the Good Food team, she’s created hundreds of recipes. She has a passion for creating easy family meals that everyone can cook and enjoy, and she also loves to bake.

Samuel Goldsmith

Samuel Goldsmith is Good Food’s food copy editor, with over a decade of experience working in the food and drink industry as an editor, writer, educator and cook. After teaching food and nutrition in secondary schools, Samuel moved into food journalism. He first worked as a freelance food writer and food stylist and then in magazine editorial as a food editor for lifestyle and home magazines. Samuel is also currently Vice Chair of the Guild of Food Writers.