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Three cafes you have to visit in Saint Petersburg (and one more)

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01 September 2017

One of the best things about Saint Petersburg are all the cafes, bakeries and pastry shops that surround you wherever you go. Some of them are really good, another few are decent and some of them will sell you stuff that is barely edible. Having tried at lest at least 20-30 of them, here are some of my favourites around town. The three first you would definitely enjoy, and the fourth one is for those in need of a hot drink while their car is being repaired.

Миракл (Miracle)

Anti-café is on of the coolest concepts to have come out of Russia’s hippest city. For those unfamiliar with the term or concept, it basically means you pay for the time spent in the café, not what you order. In Miracle, the price is 150 rubles for one hour and 50 rubles for the the next one, meaning you will probably end up paying the same or less as you would any other place. The place is nicely decorated and the people working there make you feel more welcome than most places – even though they lose money the longer you stay. Have a coffee, play some board games with friends or go to one of the mini-concerts they arrange.

Address: Moshkow per, 4, Sankt-Peterburg

Коржов (Korzhov)

A Spanish friend used to live a couple of blocks down the road from Korzhov (see featured image), and her landlord had told her it was the best place for homemade pastry in Saint Petersburg. She invited me along when she decided to try it last winter and I am, to say the least, very happy she did. Not only do they serve the best hot chocolate (I have tasted) in town, but the pastry is nothing short of delicious. I have lost count of how many times I have been there to “warm myself” or “finish a chapter” of a book. Normally it is quite busy around lunch time and during weekends, but if you want to read and need a caffeine refill this is one of the best places to do that.

Address: ul. Vosstaniya, 19, Sankt-Peterburg

Подписные издания (Podpisnye izdanya)

On my way to Union Bar on Liteyniy prospect, I came across a small and cozy café with a wide variety of books. From the street, you can see some tables, a small counter and some rows of book. Up some stairs you can find a set of quiet reading places (where the picture the right is taken from), perfect if you want to read undisturbed but do not want to be on your own. There is also another room with more books and a small section with some comfortable chairs, where you can sit down, enjoy something to drink and read a book. PS! Most of them are in Russian.

Address: Liteyniy avenue, 57, Sankt-Peterburg

… and a last, one of my personal completely random favourites:

Круассан (Croissant)

I ran into this place by accident when I went to the petrol station near my dorm to withdraw money. It is well-hidden behind a green petrol station, in the same building as a car-repair and a fireworks shop. I am not sure if it is the location or the petrol smell at the entrance that prevents people from going, but it is certainly not the good service, half-decent croissants or coffee. I have experienced far worse along Nevsky. Thus far, it is the only café I have seen with two (massive) trees growing through its roof. I usually go here to read or watch sports (there is a TV screen with MatchTV on). Most customers are having their car repaired next door and it is normally not very noisy or busy.