Russia is the world's largest country, spanning eleven time zones from Europe to Asia. From the grandeur of Moscow's Red Square and St. Petersburg's palaces to the Trans-Siberian Railway and Lake Baikal, Russia offers unparalleled cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and unique experiences.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Russia through its food.
Moscow Bites Street Food Walk
Walking tour through Moscow's historic Zamoskvorechye district sampling Soviet-era stolovaya (canteen) food, Georgian khachapuri, Central Asian plov, Uzbek samsa, and Russian blini. Guides explain the diverse culinary influences that shaped Moscow's street food scene.
Danilovsky and Dorogomilovsky Market Tour
Expert-guided tour of two of Moscow's best food markets, tasting artisan Russian cheeses, smoked fish, wild mushrooms, Altai honey, and Siberian berry jams. Learn to identify quality produce and understand Russian food seasons and regional specialties.
Russian Imperial Dining Experience
Progressive dinner across three restaurants covering a full arc of Russian culinary history from pre-revolutionary zakuski (appetisers) through Soviet-era classics to contemporary New Russian cuisine. Expert food historian narrates Russia's culinary evolution between courses.
St. Petersburg Blini and Caviar Tour
Dedicated tour exploring Russia's iconic food pairing — blini and caviar — visiting a traditional blini maker in the Vasilievsky Island market, a caviar specialist shop, and a cafe for the full experience. Learn to distinguish salmon, trout, and sturgeon caviar grades.
Arbat Food and Culture Walk
Food and culture walking tour of Moscow's historic Arbat area combining souvenir shopping tips with food stops at authentic Georgian restaurant, Russian pastry shop, and kvass tasting. Covers the Old Arbat street food vendors and hidden side-street cafes.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Russia's food scene.
Street food tours
Moscow and St. Petersburg both have thriving street food scenes mixing Soviet-era snacks with Georgian, Central Asian, and contemporary Russian vendors; market food hall tours are the best format
Market tours
Guided market tours at Danilovsky (Moscow), Kuznechny (St. Petersburg), and Izmailovsky (Moscow) explain Russian seasonal produce, wild mushroom foraging culture, and traditional preserved foods
Restaurant tours
Multi-course restaurant tours range from Soviet nostalgia dining experiences to contemporary New Russian cuisine restaurants; tip-to-tail Russian ingredient sourcing is a theme in top venues
Specialty tours
Specialist tours focus on vodka tasting and production, caviar grades and pairing, Russian tea ceremony, Georgian wine and food, or the distinctive cuisines of Tatarstan and the Caucasus
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Russia home with you.
Cooking Like a Russian Babushka
Learn to make borscht (beetroot soup), pelmeni (dumplings), Olivier salad, and blini with sour cream in a home kitchen setting in Moscow's historic residential area. Small groups with an English-speaking instructor who explains family traditions and regional variations.
Pelmeni Making Class Moscow
Dedicated class mastering Russia's beloved pelmeni dumplings with various fillings (pork, lamb, mushroom, fish) and traditional accompaniments. Learn the folding technique, broth preparation, and serving customs handed down through generations.
Russian Bread and Pirogi Baking
Baking class focused on Russian yeast breads, Borodinsky black bread, and traditional pirogi (filled pies) with cabbage, apple, and meat fillings at a professional kitchen near St. Petersburg's historic centre.
DIY self-guided food tour
Self-guided food exploration route through Moscow's best food neighbourhoods, covering street food, market shopping, and authentic restaurants without a guide
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1
Stop 1: Dorogomilovsky Market (Kievskaya metro) — morning for fresh produce, cheese, and smoked fish tasting
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2
Stop 2: Arbat Street — Teremok blini stand for buckwheat blini with salmon and sour cream
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3
Stop 3: Stolle pie shop (multiple locations) — try meat and cabbage pirogi
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4
Stop 4: Danilovsky Market food court — Georgian khinkali dumplings and Uzbek plov for lunch
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Stop 5: Cheremukhino pastry cafe — honey cake (Medovik) and Russian afternoon tea
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Stop 6: Cafe Pushkin or Cafe Mu-Mu — traditional Russian dinner with borscht and pelmeni
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Russian lunch (obed) is the main meal of the day with three courses — eat your largest meal at lunch for much better value at Moscow and St. Petersburg restaurants
Stolovaya (Soviet canteen) restaurants serve authentic Russian food for $5-8 per person; Grabli and Mu-Mu chains are clean and budget-friendly
Kvass (fermented bread drink) and Mors (berry juice) are uniquely Russian beverages worth trying at street stalls — try black currant mors
Georgian cuisine (khachapuri, khinkali) is everywhere in Russia and considered a local food — excellent quality and very affordable compared to Moscow restaurant prices
Supermarket Azbuka Vkusa ('ABC of Taste') is an upmarket chain with outstanding selection of Russian cheeses, caviar, smoked fish, and ready meals for self-catering
Black bread (Borodinsky or Darnitsky) is dense and nutritious — buy from Korovai or Khleb bakery chains for authentic versions with sunflower seeds or caraway
Central Asian restaurants (Uzbek, Kazakh) serve the best plov (rice pilaf) in Russia — look for non-tourist Uzbek restaurants in Moscow's Dorogomilovo area
Pyshki (Soviet-era doughnuts) are a St. Petersburg tradition — queue at the original Pyshechnaya on Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street for authentic experience