For many people who don't know any better, Russian food is thought of as bland, or even worse, as downright distasteful. A friend of mine visited one of the southern provinces of the former Soviet Union, and he came back skin and bone, having lost over thirty pounds. He reported that a typical meal there consisted of one sardine and a piece of bread, washed down with vodka. Well, in St. Petersburg, there is no shortage of food, and you can find some of the finest international and Russian food and drink in the world.
St. Petersburg sits on the mouth of the Neva River, which feeds into the Baltic Sea. There is an abundance of fresh seafood, and many of the local dishes consist of wonderful fish caught the day before. Borscht, which is soup, is a staple in Russia, and many different varieties, usually made with fish, can be found in St. Petersburg.
Not only is Russian food very satisfying and unique in St. Petersburg, but you can dine in restaurants that are over two centuries old. The famous Senate Bar, once a spot where political power brokers rubbed shoulders, is still one of St. Petersburg's most exclusive restaurants. The Literary Cafe has a rich history dating back to Peter the Great, and is where famous writers like Pushkin and Dostoyevsky broke bread.
Experience the Best Russian Food
Just like anywhere else, in Russia you often get what you pay for. You can get gruel and terrible imitations of things like pizza and hamburgers in Russia, or you can sample classic Russian food, flavored by recipes from the Ukraine, Georgia, and other republics. When traveling, it is often best to go to time tested places where the food, entertainment and service have been perfected over the course of two and a half centuries. After all, how many restaurants in the United States have been open for 250 years?
Read Next 5 Articles
Grand Hotel Europe
Georgian Cuisine
Alexander Pushkin
Art Tours
Art History And Architecture Tours