Arbat & Around

Vladimir Mukhin's flagship on the 16th floor, a long-time World's 50 Best regular that reworks Russian ingredients inside an Alice-in-Wonderland dining room above the city.

Tip: Guaranteeing a specific table requires a 10,000₽ per person deposit at least 24 hours ahead; otherwise seating is first-come.

White Rabbit Family's seafood room on a hotel's 22nd floor, pairing Far Eastern crab, sea urchin and fish with sweeping 360-degree views of Moscow.

Tip: Reservations are required and held for only 15 minutes; guests are asked to dress elegantly (no sportswear).

A theatrical Georgian feasting hall on Novy Arbat with carpets, clay jugs and nightly live music, where khinkali, shashlik and Georgian wine flow at celebrations.

Tip: A 10% service charge is added automatically, and the music is loud — ask for a table away from the stage to talk.

A Soviet-apartment-style café on the Arbat serving vareniki, pelmeni and homely Russian staples at gentle prices — an easy, nostalgic stop between sightseeing walks.

Tip: Portions can be small for the price — order a mix of vareniki to share.

A punky wine bar-shop from St Petersburg with 300-plus mostly natural bottles for every budget, amphitheatre seating on velvet steps and cheeky snacks from sausage sandwiches to fried chicken.

Tip: Weekends turn into parties with DJs; come on a weeknight if you want to talk wine.

A boulevard bistro with nearly 25 years behind it: a Parisian feel, fair prices, onion soup and cheap wine — and open until 5am Thursday to Saturday, a rarity in Moscow.

Tip: It books up — reserve ahead for Friday nights; a night menu runs after midnight at weekends.