Where To Eat Pelmeni In Moscow

Arguably the best-known Russian dish, pelmeni are ubiquitous in Moscow and come in more variations than you can imagine. Every restaurant has its own way of making and cooking Russian dumplings, so picking the right one will define your pelmeni experience. Here is a list of places where you can try this delicious delicacy in Moscow.

1. Lepim i Varim

Cafe, Russian

Ironically referring to themselves as a ‘pelmeni boutique’, Lepim i Varim claims to have the best pelmeni in Moscow and offers six different kinds of Russian dumplings: fish, shrimp, lamb and spices, pork and beef, tvorog and Georgian sulguni cheese. Apart from that, they also serve inventive soups, delicious salads and home-style desserts.

2. Saratov

Restaurant, Russian

A cosy family restaurant, Saratov cherishes the food traditions of the Volga region, including pelmeni. Here you can try five different types, and the various fillings include the classic mix of pork and beef, tender rabbit meat, potatoes and fried onion, and cherries and Russian cottage cheese, or tvorog.

3. Вареничная № 1

Cafe, Russian

A popular restaurant chain, Вареничная № 1 boasts the widest assortment of dumplings in Moscow and at the lowest price too. There are nine kinds of savoury dumplings, including those with lamb and beef liver, and six types of sweet ones, all of which you can try in a pot with a topping of your choice.

5. Pelmeni

Restaurant, Russian

With more than 30 years of experience in making pelmeni, this café in Moscow’s centre has an impressive pelmeni menu. It offers five kinds of pelmeni, including deer and salmon, four kinds of vareniki, Uzbek manty and Georgian khinkali.

6. Lucien

Restaurant, Russian

The haute-Russe dining ambience of Lucien will transform your pelmeni experience. The restaurant offers four kinds of pelmeni, all of which are traditionally cooked and beautifully served. You can try the Kamchatka crab, lamb, or trout, pike and caviar varieties along with the classic ones with pork and beef, served with truffle oil.

7. Durdin

Restaurant, Russian

This beer restaurant has a reputation for its inventive take on traditional recipes. There are four kinds of dumplings to choose from: the classic variety served with a rich broth, the lamb pelmeni with Georgian adjika sauce, one with salmon and red caviar and savoury potato dumplings.

8. Omulevaya Bochka

Restaurant, Russian

Omulevaya Bochka is the place you should visit if you want to try traditional Siberian pelmeni. There are the classic varieties with meat (boiled or fried), the Taiga-style versions with fried beef liver and fern, the North-Baikal pelmeni with omul and muksun, the deer pelmeni, the steamed Buryat ‘Buuzy’ dumplings, and pelmeni baked with cream sauce.

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