Craft & Grill Bar 'Na Kranakh'
Beer, burgers and board games
Beer connoisseurs will likely be acquainted with Na Kranakh's older sibling, the Varka bar just outside the Taganskaya metro station. This roomy, unpretentious drinking den likewise offers a broad range of craft and draught, along with affordable grilled food (a burger will set you back between 350 and 400 rubles). The new board game corner boasts the longtime Russian favorite, "Mafia," and a pick of international faves.
+7 (915) 177 3787
facebook.com/NaKranah
19/5 Tsvetnoi Bulvar. Metro Tsvetnoi Bulvar, Trubnaya
Khinkali Point
Fast, delicious and friendly
A light, airy and simple space in Kitai-Gorod with about a dozen tables. There's an open kitchen where you can watch the chef working wonders quickly. As its name suggests, Khinkali Point specializes in khinkali — spiced meat or cheese in a thick twist of dough — but the khachapuri is also excellent, as are the salads and small selection of mains. Wash it all down with one of several craft beers, and top it all off with real coffee. It's like visiting a friend's house in Georgia.
+7 (495) 223 9332
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1 Ulitsa Zabelina. Metro Kitai-Gorod
Lisitsa
Exposed brick and hipster food and drink
Lisitsa is the newest spot on Teatralny Proezd. This low lit, atmospheric, chilled hangout is as comfortable as it is hip. Their food and bar menu is fresh, original, chic and affordable. Think fresh tomato soup, chef's special pike perch burger, and a salad of caramelized apples and chicken. Settle down on a retro armchair, sip away on a basil cocktail in front of the open fire, or come on Friday and Saturday nights for live music and dancing.
+7 (910) 476 9120
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3 Teatralny Proezd, Bldg. 3, Metro Lubyanka
Bely Naliv
Cosy bistro calling all carnivores
This bar and bistro in the heart of old Moscow bills itself as "everyone's new local dive." Homey yet elegant, Bely Naliv hopes to woo meat eaters with its eco-friendly charcoal grill and competitive lunch offers (290 rubles for a three-course meal between noon and 5 p.m. on weekdays). Burgers, soups and salads are also available, as are desserts — with the cinnamon buns a staff favorite. Dogs are welcome, too.
+7 (926) 588 9223
facebook.com/bnaliv
22/23 Rozhdestvensky Bulvar. Metro Chistiye Prudy, Turgenevskaya