Where to go in Moscow tonight

A faux-19th-century aristocratic mansion with library and pharmacy rooms serving refined Russian classics — Moscow's most famous showpiece, open around the clock at weekends.

Tip: Book online and ask for the Library room, the most requested hall; the rooftop terrace opens in summer.

Kremlin-facing grand café in the Hotel National doing playful Soviet-and-Russian comfort classics around the clock — packed from breakfast through late-night pelmeni.

Tip: Reserve well ahead online — walk-ins face long waits at peak times and the phone line is hard to get through.

Open since 1951 and now run by Novikov's team, this palatial Uzbek hall dazzles with painted ceilings, fountains, a dedicated plov master and belly dancing.

Tip: Great for group celebrations, but the music is loud and some dishes slow — go with a crowd and plenty of time.

A cosy 'grandma's apartment' near Patriarch's Ponds, full of vintage clutter, where Russian home cooking, house infusions and warm service make everyone feel like family.

Tip: Book ahead — it's small and tightly packed, and tables go fast in the evening.

A long-loved Georgian favourite whose flagship now sits on Tverskaya; generous khachapuri, juicy khinkali and fair prices keep it busy.

Tip: Go off-peak or book — service slows when it fills up; the weekday business lunch is the best deal.

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 basement Soviet-throwback café on Sretenka serving hand-made chebureki with crisp crusts and juicy fillings, plus draft beer and house infusions to a Soviet soundtrack.

Tip: No need to book, but seating is tight and there can be a short wait at lunch — come mid-afternoon.

A Soviet-style self-service canteen inside GUM on Red Square, dishing up borscht, pelmeni, herring under a fur coat and kartoshka cake — touristy, but a rite of passage.

Tip: No reservations — expect a queue at lunchtime, but it moves quickly.

A huge food mall in a restored 19th-century tram depot near Belorusskaya, with around 120 counters from Ossetian pies to hand-pulled noodles, plus late-opening bars at weekends.

Tip: Very crowded on weekend evenings — come on a weekday or early; Friday and Saturday it's open until 02:00.

Moscow's showpiece farmers' market under a Soviet modernist dome, where produce stalls ring a lively food court of pho, dolma, tagine and smokehouse counters.

Tip: Closes at 21:00, so treat it as a lunch or early-dinner stop; take the metro to Tulskaya.

A buzzing food hall on Rozhdestvensky Boulevard with 60-plus counters, a produce market downstairs, and Thursday-to-Saturday DJs and live music that turn dinner into a party.

Tip: Best for groups — everyone picks their own counter; open until midnight Thursday to Saturday.

A long-running, Irish-founded basement pub near the Irish embassy where Guinness, rugby on the screens and an English-speaking Sunday crowd make newcomers feel at home.

Tip: Open until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; service slows at peak times, so order at the bar when it's busy.

A 17-year-old Myasnitskaya institution with a huge beer and whiskey list, football on every screen and a Monday pub quiz that suits sociable newcomers.

Tip: Book ahead for big matches and ask for the upstairs lounge; open until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

A faithful copy of the Dublin original with décor shipped from Ireland, a stage for bands and comedy, 20 screens for sport and a serious whiskey corner.

Tip: Tables go fast at weekends — reserve online; open until 06:00 on Fridays.

A hand-painted, old-school pub by Novokuznetskaya with one of the best beer lists in town, cover bands, basement comedy and a summer terrace that runs until dawn at weekends.

Tip: Friday evenings get packed — book a table online; open until 06:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The busiest central branch of the Irish pub chain, with weekend live bands, a friendly walk-in crowd and hours that stretch to 06:00 — a reliable default for groups.

Tip: Walk-ins usually work, but seating is tight at weekends — arrive before the band starts.

A football-mad English pub steps from the Kremlin, hung with club scarves and shirts, showing the Premier League and Champions League with 22 taps and proper fish & chips.

Tip: Book for big matches; the kitchen closes at 22:30 and bills include a 10% service charge.

A veteran expat bar running since 1995, now sharing a Nikolskaya basement with Beverly Hills Diner — a noisy, international last stop for cover bands and salsa.

Tip: Door security is strict but polite; check your bill before paying.

Moscow's classic chrome-and-neon American diner, open around the clock, where expats have long come for towering milkshakes, 20-plus burgers and pancakes at 4am.

Tip: Skip the steaks — burgers, shakes and breakfasts are the safe bets.

A cult bar on the Red October island whose summer rooftop looks over the river and Christ the Saviour, drawing a young mixed local-and-foreign crowd for over 15 years.

Tip: Outside summer it mainly opens for Friday and Saturday parties; in season, arrive before 18:30 or book by phone.

Chef Luigi Magni's neo-bistro near Patriarch's Ponds, loved for breakfasts until 4pm, beautifully plated dishes and inventive cocktails — an easy start to a Patriki night.

Tip: Tables are tight — reserve via Telegram or by phone for weekend brunch.

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.

The flagship of Moscow's best-known café chain, in the Conservatory building and open 24/7, with a celebrated summer terrace for long breakfasts, desserts and after-party coffee.

Tip: No reservations, so expect a short wait at weekend brunch; staff English can be limited.