A lazy weekend breakfast is a must for any Russian. Breakfast is taken seriously any day, but a rush-free morning is especially meant be enjoyed with friends and family. The city has learned to accommodate the growing demand in breakfast spots and here are some top picks to suit any taste.
A cozy café with its own courtyard, Cake & Breakfast was started by two friends who previously worked in finance and decided to turn their interest in baking into a full-time job. Breakfast here starts relatively early, at 8 am, and is available till closing time, with different breakfast sets to choose from. They have a good variety, ranging from a full English breakfast to a lighter option of French toast. The café also makes fresh pastries every day that perfectly complement a morning cup of coffee.
The hip pizza joint located inside a rusty yard became popular immediately. The growing demand has lead the owners to introduce breakfasts that are just as original as their main menu. They bring an original twist to the breakfast favourites: bagels, granolas and eggs. Not a morning person? The good news is the breakfasts are served until 18:00, so you can have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A simple café on the embankment of the Fontanka river. The breakfast choices here are limited to three options, all adding a foreign touch to typical Russian breakfast dishes. The rice porridge is served with pomegranate and almond, the oatmeal flavoured with chocolate and cheese cakes made of ricotta. Special attention is payed to coffee-making here. The owner herself often experiments with different roasts and brews.
An affiliate of restaurant chain Probka Family owned by restaurateur and host of Russia’s version of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Aram Mnatsakanov. The breakfast choices here are anything but simple: coconut granola, focaccia with burrata cheese and seasonal fruits. They start early at 9 am and can packed up for take-away, so early birds can grab breakfast and enjoy it at work or in a park.
With a minimalistic, but pleasant interior Bonch cafe offers a comfortable space to enjoy breakfast and co-work on any day of the week. The establishment is dedicated to the coffee trade and experiment with different approaches to brewing coffee. Their breakfast pair well with coffee: pancakes, waffles, cheese cakes and croissants are on the menu.
The best word to describe Coffee 22 is eclectic: concrete walls, all sorts of furniture, unpolished tables and furs. An unusual place to start the day and enjoy your breakfast with many speciality muffins to choose from. Although don’t expect your typical muffins – here they are baked rather as a loaf of bread, according to Russian tradition. Also make sure to try their coffee – the owners take this drink very seriously.
A place with such an optimistic name was just bound to became an interesting location for breakfast. I’m Thankful for Today is pleasantly located off the busy streets. The cafe by day and bar by night has made great use of its otherwise limited space and created a cozy environment with an endearing interior and seats right on the open windowsills. Watch people passing by morning coffee in hand – a perfect combination on a summer’s day.
