Cafe Pushkin

The Best In Russian Fine Dining

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 10
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: 10
Service: 10
Value for Money: 10
Spent about SGD $100 / RUB 2500 per person.





If you want to impress in Moscow, go to Cafe Pushkin. Doesn't matter if it's a date, business partner, clients, or even the Russian media (not mafia... media), a meal at Cafe Pushkin will help your cause trememdously. And if you're looking for the best in Russian traditional cuisine, made using the freshest ingredients, then this is the place for you.

The first thing that strikes you about Cafe Pushkin is the fantastic ambience of the place. This award winning 5-star restaurant, which is open 24 hours daily for 7 days a week, is built in the 18th century classical Baroque style, resembling the homes of wealthy Russian aristocrats. Complex yet elegant and charming all at once, with spacious interiors, good floor layout, comfortable furniture, opulent surroundings, low lighting and private spaces. Cafe Pushkin even has throwbacks to years past, with an olden style elevator, ornately carved wash basin, an antique library with 15,000 old books, maps, globes and telescopes, and a cellar cloak room.

Many will agree that the service at Cafe Pushkin is among the best in Moscow. As befits a fine dining establishment, staff are professional, knowledgable, efficient and impeccably dressed in olden style Russian frock coats. You'll be treated like a member of the elite ruling class at Cafe Pushkin. Amazingly, staff are well versed in not only English, but a pre-Soviet romanized Russian as well (The language of the elites)! Cafe Pushkin staff are trained to wait personally upon the table, as well as being proactive and attentive. I like that the menus have English translations as well.

The food at Cafe Pushkin is excellent. High quality, fresh ingredients are used to maximise the taste of each component in your dish, such that is mouthful is just delightful. Portions are decent, you won't be hungry, but you won't be very full either. While there are traditional Russia and Moscow dishes, which are prepared according to 18th century recipes, there are also Russian takes on French dishes, made using French cooking techniques. The menu is quite extensive, and there is good variety throughout the day. Depending on where in Cafe Pushkin you choose to dine, the menu may also differ (The Pharmacy Hall VS The Library Hall). Prices are of course, on the high side, expect to pay about SGD $72 / RUB 1800 per person, or more. Good value for what it's worth.

Although Cafe Pushkin has a reputation for being a 'tourist' place, locals often frequent the place as well, albeit those slightly more well-heeled, or for special occasions. Cafe Pushkin is located within a 10 minutes walk from either Pushkinskaya Metro station or Tverskaya Metro station. Making a reservation in advance is highly recommended before you visit Cafe Pushkin, as the place is constantly packed.





French singer Gilbert Becaud wrote the song 'Nathalie', about a French tourist (himself) who falls in love with his Russian tour guide and interpreter Nathalie, and brings her for hot chocolate in the (then) fictional Cafe Pushkin. The song became famous all over France. Famed Russian restaurateur Andrei Dellos, inspired by the fictional Cafe Pushkin mentioned in 'Nathalie', decided to make it a reality in 1999. Gilbert Becaud was invited to sing 'Nathalie', on Cafe Pushkin opening day on 04 June 1999.

Credits to Catherine

Food is beautifully presented, and while each component of the dish is tasty, eating it together is just delightful. Expect robust tasty dishes, crafted with perfection, and served with finesse. While prices may be high, they aren't as steep as other fine dining establishments.

Borscht 01

Borscht 02

Coulibiac

Honey Cake 01

Honey Cake 02

Honey Cake 03

Pelmeni

Roasted Pig With Pearl Barley, Cepe Mushrooms And Sun-Dried Tomatoes 01

Roasted Pig With Pearl Barley, Cepe Mushrooms And Sun-Dried Tomatoes 02

Ukha

Zander Fish Cutlet Stuffed With Crab, Mashed Potato With Cheddar Cheese, Asparagus In Creamy Seafood Sauce

'Nathalie'

Red Square was white
The snow made a carpet
And I followed, through this cold Sunday
Nathalie

She spoke in serious phrases
Of the October Revolution
Meanwhile, I was thinking
That after Lenin’s tomb
We would go to the Pushkin cafe
To drink chocolate

Red Square was empty
I caught her by her arm, I smiled at her
She had blonde hair, my guide
Nathalie

In their apartment at the university
A gang of students
Were impatiently expectant
We joked and laughed a lot
They wanted to know everything
Nathalie translated

Moscow, the plains of the Kremlin
And the Champs Elysees
We got them all mixed up
And we sang
And then they were opening
And we were laughing in anticipation of it
Some French Champagne
And we danced

And when the flat was empty
All the friends were departed
I was left with just my guide
Nathalie

No more questions, sober phrases
Nor October Revolution
I am no longer there with her
Finished, Lenin’s tomb
The chocolate in Pushkin
It is, it was, long before

As my life seems empty to me
Still I know that one day in Paris
It is I who will serve as her guide
Nathalie
Nathalie