Must-see restaurants in Eastern Europe

  • Cococo

    St Petersburg

    Cococo has charmed locals with its inventive approach to contemporary Russian cuisine. Your food is likely to arrive disguised as, say, a small bird's egg…

  • Ambar

    Belgrade

    Upmarket, innovative small-plate takes on Balkan cuisine are the go to at this chic spot – the best of a handful of trendy options overlooking the river…

  • Puzata Khata

    Kyiv

    An upscale stolovaya, 'Hut of the Pot Belly' is an excellent place for budget travellers to sample traditional Ukrainian cuisine. There are plenty of…

  • Manufaktura

    Belgrade

    Just off pedestrianised Knez Mihailova (look for the red umbrellas in the patio), Manufaktura offers Balkan dining in a modern ambience resembling an…

  • Lorenzo & Kakalamba

    Belgrade

    Covered from floor to ceiling in a riot of out-there artworks and marvellous miscellany, and staffed (and frequented) by peculiar characters, to step…

  • To Je To!

    Belgrade

    The name means 'that's it', and in this case, they're talking about meat. Piles of the stuff, grilled in all its juicy glory, make up the menu here in the…

  • Bela Reka

    Belgrade

    One of Belgrade's best new restaurants, Bela Reka is modern and sophisticated, but fiercely dedicated to the traditional craft of Serbian cuisine, and is…

  • Lili Homemade Food

    Berat

    This charming family home deep in the Mangalem Quarter below the castle is the setting for one of Berat's best restaurants. Lili speaks English and will…

  • Vodopad

    Serbia

    With a gorgeous forest setting at the base of Veliki Buk waterfall (50m), this is a place to linger over a hearty lunch after visiting Manasija Monastery…

  • Restoran

    St Petersburg

    Nearly 20 years on the scene and this excellent place is still going strong. Stylish and airily bright, Restoran is somehow formal and relaxed at the same…

  • Project 72

    Novi Sad

    This smart bistro with lovely sidewalk seating is brought to Novi Sad by the same owners as the excellent Fish i Zeleniš, but here the concentration is on…

  • Country House

    Pristina

    It's well worth taking a taxi to get to this gorgeous place 7km north of Pristina. Indeed, it truly lives up to its name, with a superb location and…

  • Klet Kozjak

    Zagorje

    Klet Kozjak in Sveti Križ Začretje, 11km southeast of Krapina, is an adorable little cottage that serves traditional food from the region – such as…

  • Brankov Čardak

    Fruška Gora National Park

    Tucked away at the end of a forest road and perpetually shrouded in barbecue smoke, this is a Fruška Gora institution. Its setting, in the idyllic…

  • Izba

    Northern European Russia

    Don't let Izba's cutesy log-cabin-with-folky-embroidered-curtains interior fool you – this restaurant at Solovki Hotel serves the most sophisticated fare…

  • Mala Hiža

    Inland Croatia

    Foodies from Zagreb travel to Mala Hiža in the village of Mačkovec, 4km north of Čakovec, for its lauded and awarded seasonal cuisine done up with flair…

  • Kapetan Mišin Breg

    Serbia

    Fantastic views of the Đerdap gorge and an introduction to traditional Vlach cuisine from eastern Serbia are reason enough to visit this hillside complex…

  • Ku Kuu

    Western Estonia & the Islands

    Occupying the elegant 1889 Spa Hall from which it takes its name (Ku Kuu is short for Kuressaare Kuursaal), this is Saaremaa's loveliest dining room. The…

  • Laŭka

    Minsk

    This diminutive take-out stop is quickly becoming an institution on hip vul Kastrychnitskaya. During late weekend nights, it can seem like everybody on…

  • Ladna Voda

    Serbia

    Grab an outdoor table at this renowned kafana (tavern) that backs onto the courtyard of the regional Ponišavlje Museum to enjoy the view of its 19th…

  • Pekara Anton Plus

    Niš

    Prepare to hurry up and wait for the Serbian breakfast of champions: burek (hearty filo pastries stuffed with veal, cheese and other tasty fillings). This…

  • Chochur Muran

    Yakutsk

    In a Cossack-style lodge filled with antiques, Chochur Muran is an atmospheric and fun lunch stop if you are heading out to the nearby Permafrost Kingdom…

  • Makhtal

    Yakutsk

    In the old town, Makhtal is one of Yakutsk's most atmospheric options, with thick log walls adorned with traditional tapestries and handsomely attired…

  • Trapezna Idey

    Lviv

    An unmarked door behind the paper-aeroplane monument leads into the bowels of a Bernardine monastery, where this lovely local-intelligentsia fave is…

  • Nesterka

    Belarus

    Hrodna's alternative kids head here for falafel sandwiches, craft beer and poetry slams – you get the idea. The dirt-cheap food satisfies the impoverished…

  • Bona Lounge

    Lithuania

    With mostly unobstructed views of the castle, Bona has the best sunset seats in town. The ubiquitous kibinai (Karaite pasties) aside, the short and sweet…

  • Boss Caffe

    Subotica

    The most popular restaurant in town has a huge menu spanning Chinese, Italian, Mexican and Serbian cuisines; somehow it pulls it off with aplomb. It's…

  • Art Design

    Kosovo

    Despite sounding flash and modern, Art Design is actually an old house brimming with character and full of local arts and crafts. Choose between dining…

  • Chum Restaurant-Museum

    Western Siberia

    Inside a faux Siberian hunters cabin lined with furs and skis, this unusual restaurant specalises in the cuisine of northern Siberia. Dishes include…

  • Pyotr Petrovich

    Western European Russia

    Sitting pretty in an exquisitely restored mansion near the entrance to Central Park, this merry brasserie should not be missed by anyone with taste buds…

  • Food Like Food

    Vladivostok

    While it might sound like a fast-food joint, this charming little white-painted basement restaurant is anything but. The menu takes in classical Russian…

  • Staroe Vremya

    Belarus

    'Old Times' flashes back to Soviet days, with waitstaff in pioneer and provodnitsa (female train attendant) get-ups and a tram car for a bar. Order a pure…

  • Restaurant Elita

    Shkodra

    Respected and smart restaurant with an emphasis on imaginative recreations of classic Albanian and Italian dishes. The slow-cooked pork served in an…

  • Starata Loza

    Bulgaria

    The traditional Bulgarian mehana experience is given a whimsical twist with decorative touches such as wine casks bulging out of the walls. Meals are…

  • San Marino

    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

    When you're just back from a hard trek, San Marino is Petropavlovsk’s best splash for an excellent, exotic meal of Kamchatka crab, scallops, halibut and…

  • Kafana Galija

    Niš

    The chefs here grill to thrill, with exceptional takes on classics, including spicy meat platters and a good pljeskavica (bunless burger). Rouse yourself…

  • Khachapuri

    Yakutsk

    Georgia's culinary colonisation of even the farthest-flung parts of Russia continues apace, and this gorgeous place is easily one of Yakutsk's best dining…

  • Pogrebok

    Northern European Russia

    Hands down the best place to eat in town, this atmospheric vaulted cellar serves up large platters of beer snacks and imaginative mains, such as chicken…

  • Restoran Vrelo

    Tara National Park

    Next door to Vila Drina, this large restaurant that dishes up classic Serbian fare gets top marks for location: its wooden terrace, tucked into the…

  • Leja

    Lithuania

    There's a touch of the belle époque about Leja, from the rococo-style armchairs to the chandeliers and the mellow tinkling of the background piano. The…

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