5 places for Vegan & Vegetarian St. Petersburg offers
A lot of vegetarian and vegan visitors to St. Petersburg worry about finding places that cater to their dietary requirements. While it’s true that a lot of famous Russian dishes contain meat (think stroganoff, caviar and of course the chicken kiev), St. Petersburg has no shortage of meat-free dining. Here are a few top picks for the vegetariantsy (вегетарианцы) and vegany (веганы) among us.
Botanika has been serving vegetarian haute cuisine since 2007, making it the oldest vegetarian restaurant in St. Petersburg. It also has one of the most extensive menus in the city, with over 100 items from all corners of the world. All dishes are vegetarian or vegan and based on Ayurvedic principles. For high-end dining, the prices are pretty reasonable too.
Address: Ulitsa Pestelya 7.
Finally, a soviet-style café serving exclusively vegetarian and vegan fare! With an impressive roster of freshly made dishes, salads and desserts, it’s easy to see why this is a lunchtime favourite. Luckily, there are four Troitskiy Most eateries spread across the city, meaning there’s a good chance you’ll be near one next time hunger strikes.
Address: Ulitsa Kuybysheva 33, Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki 30, Millionnaya Ulitsa 25, and Galernaya Ulitsa 19.
Because burgers aren’t just for meat-eaters. If you’re looking for a plant-based burger that doesn’t disappoint, this is the place for you. This is a Hare Krishna café so everything on the menu is meat-free, meaning there’s plenty to choose from. Build your own burger from a choice of six different buns, eight kinds of toppings, and an impressive range of fillings.
Address: Ulitsa Belinskogo 9 and Naberezhnaya Canal Griboyedova 49.
Part veggie café, part art space, Café Auroville is a great place to grab a bit to eat, hang out with friends, or simply indulge in some people-watching. Its soups and samosas are delicious, and there’s an impressive selection of herbal teas as well. Plus, the venue hosts events in the evenings and weekends – from live music to raw food seminars.
Address: Ulitsa Radishheva 5.
We thought we’d include one restaurant that serves veggie and vegan alongside more meaty options – perfect for when you’re with friends or family who don’t like the idea of an entirely plant-based menu. Schengen is one of Trip Advisor’s top-rated restaurants in St. Petersburg, making it a must for foodies. Hot tip: stop by for lunch instead of dinner and all dishes are discounted by 20%!
Address: Kirochnaya Ulitsa 5.
Of course, you don’t need to visit a vegetarian or vegan restaurant to avoid eating meat in St. Petersburg – check out our guide to the best Russian meat-free meals to find out what’s safe to eat on any menu. You can also hear some of our previous students’ experiences of eating vegetarian or vegan in St. Petersburg in the video below.
This post was brought to you by Leah E, currently studying Russian at Liden and Denz, St. Petersburg.
