The history of food in Moscow and near Red Square has been profoundly influenced by the vastness and cultural diversity of Russia. Culinary traditions have been shaped over centuries, combining indigenous Russian foods with influences from Mongol occupiers, European trading partners, and the expansive reach of the Soviet Union. The food near Red Square today reflects both the grandeur of imperial Russia and the pragmatic simplicity of Soviet-era cuisine. Red Square itself has witnessed countless feasts and famines, and the lavish banquets of the tsars contrast sharply with the austere dining practices that were sometimes necessary in tougher times.