Where to eat in Moscow, from starred tasting menus to grand old dining rooms.
Moscow's dining scene goes far beyond traditional Russian food. Historic restaurants serve the classics, while modern kitchens reimagine local ingredients, with options for every taste, occasion and budget.
Whether you want borscht and pelmeni, a special dinner with city views or contemporary Russian cuisine, these ten restaurants are ranked by their stars, starting with the most decorated.
The star ladder
Twins Garden
White Rabbit · SAVVA · Selfie · Beluga
Café Pushkin · Dr. Zhivago · Matryoshka · Uhvat · Oblomov
Stars from the 2021 MICHELIN Guide Moscow
Moscow's Top 10 Restaurants by Stars
At a glance, from two stars to local classics
| # | Restaurant | Stars | Best for | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twins Garden | Creative fine dining and seasonal ingredients | Strastnoy Boulevard, 8A | |
| 2 | White Rabbit | Modern Russian cuisine and panoramic city views | Smolenskaya Square, 3 | |
| 3 | SAVVA | Contemporary cuisine and special occasions | Teatralny Proyezd, 2 (Metropol Hotel) | |
| 4 | Selfie | Contemporary chef-driven cuisine | Novinsky Boulevard, 31 (Novinsky Passage) | |
| 5 | Beluga | Russian delicacies and caviar | Mokhovaya Street, 15/1 (National Hotel) | |
| 6 | Café Pushkin | Classic | Traditional Russian cuisine and historic atmosphere | Tverskoy Boulevard, 26A |
| 7 | Grand Café Dr. Zhivago | Classic | Russian classics in the heart of Moscow | Mokhovaya Street, 15/1 (National Hotel) |
| 8 | Matryoshka | Classic | Exploring Russian culinary traditions | Kutuzovsky Avenue, 2/1, building 6 |
| 9 | Uhvat | Classic | Traditional cooking techniques with a modern touch | Rochdelskaya Street, 15, building 41 |
| 10 | Oblomov | Classic | Traditional Russian food in a mansion-style setting | 1-y Monetchikovsky Lane, 5, building 1 |
Starred Restaurants
Recognised in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide Moscow
These five restaurants were awarded stars when the MICHELIN Guide covered Moscow. Expect tasting menus, creative cooking and the need to book ahead.
Two stars
2021 MICHELIN Guide
1. Twins Garden
Best for: Creative fine dining and seasonal ingredients
Twins Garden is known for its modern approach to Russian cuisine, with an emphasis on ingredients, seasonality and the connection between food and where it comes from. It suits diners who enjoy tasting menus and unexpected combinations.
Rather than focusing only on familiar national dishes, its cooking explores how regional produce and contemporary techniques can offer a fresh perspective on Russian gastronomy.
One star
2021 MICHELIN Guide
2. White Rabbit
Best for: Modern Russian cuisine and panoramic city views
White Rabbit is one of Moscow's best-known fine-dining restaurants. On Smolenskaya Square, it pairs contemporary cooking with an elevated setting overlooking the city, drawing on regional ingredients and familiar Russian traditions in creative ways.
It is a strong choice for a special occasion, a romantic dinner or a memorable meal beyond the usual sightseeing.
One star
2021 MICHELIN Guide
3. SAVVA
Best for: Contemporary cuisine and special occasions
Inside the historic Metropol Hotel, SAVVA combines an elegant setting with a contemporary approach to cooking. Its location near the Bolshoi Theatre makes it a natural choice for dinner before a performance.
The kitchen focuses on carefully presented dishes and seasonal ingredients, ideal for diners who enjoy creative cuisine and attentive service.
One star
2021 MICHELIN Guide
4. Selfie
Best for: Contemporary chef-driven cuisine
Selfie offers a modern fine-dining experience built around seasonal ingredients and creative cooking, with an international outlook that also draws on Russian produce and traditions.
It is a good option if you want a more experimental meal with carefully composed dishes in a polished setting.
One star
2021 MICHELIN Guide
5. Beluga
Best for: Russian delicacies and caviar
Beluga is an upscale restaurant near Red Square, known for Russian delicacies and contemporary takes on local cuisine. Caviar is the highlight, alongside a wider selection of carefully prepared Russian ingredients.
Its central location and polished atmosphere make it a good choice for a celebration or a more formal meal.
Moscow Classics
Traditional dishes, historic settings and time-honoured techniques
No stars here, but plenty of character. These restaurants are favourites for classic Russian food, grand interiors and traditional cooking methods.
Moscow classic
Local favourite
6. Café Pushkin
Best for: Traditional Russian cuisine and historic atmosphere
Café Pushkin is an iconic Moscow restaurant known for its elegant, old-world interiors and a menu inspired by Russian culinary tradition. Its mansion-style setting makes a meal here part of the city experience.
It is especially appealing to first-time visitors who want to try classic Russian dishes in refined surroundings, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a leisurely coffee.
Moscow classic
Local favourite
7. Grand Café Dr. Zhivago
Best for: Russian classics in the heart of Moscow
Near Red Square and the Kremlin, Grand Café Dr. Zhivago is a convenient introduction to Russian cuisine in a lively, central setting. Its menu focuses on familiar dishes, so you can sample several national favourites without straying far from the main sights.
Its location makes it easy to fit a meal in before or after exploring the city centre.
Moscow classic
Local favourite
8. Matryoshka
Best for: Exploring Russian culinary traditions
Matryoshka presents Russian cuisine through a menu inspired by historical recipes and regional food traditions, a good choice if you want to go beyond the best-known dishes.
From traditional soups to hearty mains, it shows the variety of Russian home-style and celebratory cooking in a refined setting.
Moscow classic
Local favourite
9. Uhvat
Best for: Traditional cooking techniques with a modern touch
Uhvat builds its concept around the Russian oven, a traditional method for baking, roasting and slow-cooking. It pairs this heritage with contemporary presentation.
It is particularly interesting if you want to see how traditional techniques still shape modern restaurant cooking.
Moscow classic
Local favourite
10. Oblomov
Best for: Traditional Russian food in a mansion-style setting
Oblomov is known for its classic atmosphere and menu inspired by traditional Russian cuisine. Set in a mansion-style building, it offers a relaxed way to explore familiar dishes.
It suits visitors who prefer a traditional setting over minimalist or experimental fine dining.
How to Choose the Right Restaurant
Pick what you are in the mood for
For a first taste of Russian cuisine
For a special occasion
For caviar and Russian delicacies
For creative, contemporary cooking
For traditional recipes and techniques
Tips Before You Visit
A little planning for a better meal
Reserve ahead
Upscale restaurants get busy, especially at weekends and peak dinner times.
Check the menu
Seasonal dishes, tasting menus and prices change regularly.
Confirm opening hours
Check the latest schedule before setting out.
Plan your route
Several restaurants are close to central sights; others need a separate trip.
Plan how to pay
Bank cards issued outside Russia may not work, so confirm payment options in advance.
Final Thoughts
Moscow offers everything from traditional Russian comfort food to creative tasting menus and elegant dining rooms near its most famous landmarks. Café Pushkin and Dr. Zhivago are good starting points for the classics, while Twins Garden, White Rabbit and SAVVA suit a more elaborate meal. Whichever you choose, exploring the local food scene is a rewarding way to see another side of the city.
