The 10 Best Budget Restaurants In Moscow

Although Moscow is not the first place you’ll think of when planning a budget vacation, there’s much more to it than over-the-top restaurants and caviar. Here we profile 10 of Moscow’s restaurants where great food and low prices work together just fine.

1. People Like People (Люди Как Люди)

Cafe, Dessert Shop, Coffee Shop, Russian, Dessert

A tiny cafe that happens to be one of Moscow’s most popular, People Like People is easy to pass by. But if you pay attention and notice the nondescript sign, do stop by – you’ll be rewarded with the best business lunches in the city, fantastic coffee and milkshakes. The place tends to get crowded in the evening, so prepare to squeeze your way to the bar.

2. Cafe Festivalnoye, GUM (Кафе Фестивальное)

Cafe, Russian

Located in the country’s main department store, this cafe is your chance to get a decent meal in Moscow’s historic center and at affordable price too. The Festival’s themed pavilions offer a variety of national cuisines: you can have a Chinese business lunch at the “China” pavilion, try Pan Asian food at the “Asia” pavilion or choose from eight pizza varieties at the “Italy” pavilion. There are also pavilions dedicated solely to pancakes and potato dishes.

3. Saigon (Сайгон)

Restaurant, Vietnamese

Don’t be fooled by its unremarkable interiors, because this cafe is one of the best places to eat Vietnamese food in Moscow. Come here during the day for a hefty business lunch of pho bo, chicken-fried chicken and a salad, or have a night out with friends – just come early enough to save a seat.

5. Lamadzho (Ламаджо)

Restaurant, Asian

A perfect place for a quick bite, Lamadzho is a cosy cafe where you can eat (or order a delivery/take-out) home-style traditional Armenian food, like shashlik, khachapuri, and kutabi. Their Armenian beer and stuffed flatbread, which the place is named after, are to die for.

6. Lucky Noodles

Dessert Shop, Fast Food, Russian

A very atmospheric noodle bar that can seat 10 people at the most, but you can always order a takeout. The place is known for its beef and shrimp noodles, minimalist interior and Chinatown feel.

7. Vai Me! (Вай Мэ)

Restaurant, Georgian

Delicious Georgian street food, impeccable service and affordable prices brought the Vai Me! restaurant chain into prominence and turned it into arguably the most popular Georgian fast-food in Moscow. Their innovative take on khinkali and khachapuri will make you come back for more.

8. Moldova (Молдова)

Restaurant, Contemporary, European

To wine and dine at this restaurant, you’ll literary need to enter another country, because it’s located on the premises of the embassy of Moldova. But once you pass through the metal detector and show your ID to the guard at the entrance, be prepared to experience the best of Moldovan traditions: from the tasty food and lovely wine to the authentic atmosphere and friendly staff.

9. Meat Point

Restaurant, Fast Food, Street Food

One of a kind fast-food cafe where you can get Moscow’s best kofta and balik ekemek fish sandwiches at very decent prices. The place has been featured in every hip magazine, so you might have to wait for that kofta for some time, but it’s totally worth it.

10. Chito-Ra (Чито-Ра)

Restaurant, Georgian

Moscow’s legendary khinkali place favored by the creative crowd, you should come to Chito-Ra starving. The food here is fantastic, servings are enormous, and eight khinkali are enough to feed a sumotori fighter.

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