Where To Eat Pelmeni In St Petersburg

Pelmeni is a must-try dish in Russia. Typically bought frozen at the supermarket, pelmeni are a version of dumplings that can be made quickly when on the go. Nothing can beat some homemade pelmeni, though. Here are some places where you can get this treat made from scratch and served just like in a Russian home.

1. Mari Vanna

Restaurant, Russian

As you step inside Mari Vanna, you will feel like you’ve entered somebody’s apartment. Not just any apartment, but a home filled with relics from the Soviet era: books, pictures, and furniture. It is a true Russian experience, as is the food. There are two types of pelmeni on the menu here, as well as their sweet counterparts vareniki. Have them as a starter or for dessert, and don’t forget the sour cream on top.

2. Pervaya Pelmennaya

Restaurant, Russian

The shared tables and ceramic walls give this eatery a Soviet canteen feel, and that is not at all a negative; in fact, it gives your plate of pelmeni an authentic flavour. Pelmeni here can also be served with some typical Russian salads or a warm bowl of soup – great in the winter weather. The pelmeni are homemade and can be taken home to freeze. All you’ll need to do later is throw them into boiling water.

3. Pirogi

Bar, Russian, European

Pirogi serves food all through the night, and they will happily whip up a full plate of pelmeni at very democratic prices. They come with a choice of fillings: pork and beef or mutton. There is also a choice of pumpkin for vegetarians. All pelmeni are made by hand, served with sour cream and garnished with herbs.

5. Russkaya Ryumochnaya No.1

Restaurant, Russian

A ryumochnaya is traditionally a place for you come to have a shot (a rumka) of vodka with some snacks on the side. This place may carry the same name, but it certainly presents a more sophisticated atmosphere. Here, you can try all sorts of Russian delicacies including pelmeni. Apart from the typical meat fillings, they also make pelmeniwith the meat of a crab from the Kamchatka Peninsula.

6. Pelmenya

Restaurant, Russian

Pelmeniya is a restaurant of mono cuisine, meaning they have only one item on their menu, and that’s pelmeni in all shapes and sizes. Apart from the traditional Russian pelmeni, of which they have a large selection, you can try vareniki, Georgian hinkali, Chinese dumplings and Japanese gyoza, among other types of dumplings. Basically, if you love all things wrapped in dough, this is the place to be.

7. Tsar

Restaurant, Russian

Tsar in Russian is a title given to a king, so when you come to the restaurant named after kings, you expect a royal meal. The interior here reflects the aesthetics of imperial Russia: bright chandeliers, lavish wooden furniture and tableware fit for royalty. Pelmeni here are reflective of the exquisite atmosphere, served with unusual fillings like guinea fowl, duck and deer meat, among other flavours.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.