This month popular Russian rapper Timati opened his own burger joint, a new gastropub appeared on Taganka and Tsvetnoi Univermag went all upmarket with a series of new cafes. Whether you're after delicious Vietnamese food or a pint in the heart of the city, here's everywhere new and delicious to check out over the coming weeks.
Black Star Burger
Be part of the buzz
Black Star is the name of the record label run by Timati, one of Russia’s most popular rap artists. His burger joint on Novy Arbat has generated so much hype there are hour-long queues just to get in. If you wait that long you may as well order the VIP burger (777 rubles) with feta cheese, truffle sauce and blackcurrant jam. The burger makes a celebrity entrance on a plate with fireworks.
+7 (916) 804 5736
15 Ulitsa Novy Arbat
Metro Arbatskaya
blackstarburger.ru
Lao Lee Cafe
Vietnamese for shoppers on the go
The top floor of the Tsvetoi Univermag shopping center is now a hive of upscale quick eats, and Lao Lee Cafe if just one of them. The Pho Ga — a hearty chicken noodle soup — is the perfect antidote to the autumn chill. Pair with a pillowy steamed bao bun filled with pork and sticky sauce and a passionfruit juice so authentic you won’t be able to read any of the ingredients on the can.
+7 968 968 2091
15 Tsvetnoi Bulvar, Bldg. 1
Metro Tsvetnoi Bulvar tsvetnoy.com
Protechny Bar
Friendly neighborhood bar
Don’t be put off by Protechny’s rather dour exterior. Once you’ve built up the courage to step over the threshold, the cozy furnishings, bookshelves, and chalkboard menu will make you glad you did. The menu offers a surprising number of vegetarian options, while the seven draught beers on offer are regularly updated. Take a book or a friend and while away a pleasant afternoon.
+(495) 510 0470
2 Protochny Pereulok
Metro Smolenskaya facebook.com/protochniy
Obsyanka Sir
Gastropub on Taganka
The stylish yet cosy interior of this riverside pub makes it perfect for a long lunch or a relaxed night out with friends. Settle into one of the red leather bar stools or grab a sofa table with your friends and enjoy cocktails from the barman behind Schrodinger’s Cat. The food is better than your average pub grub — particularly the creamy Tom Yum soup (520 rubles)
+7 (495) 215 2078
1/15 Kransnokholmskaya Naberezhnaya
Metro Taganskaya facebook.com/pubovsyanka
