Must-Try Foods In St Petersburg Summer Garden (Saint Petersburg) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of St Petersburg Summer Garden, Saint Petersburg, Russia

The Summer Garden in Saint Petersburg is not just known for its historical significance or its baroque garden layout; it also holds a special place in the culinary tapestry of the city. While the garden itself is not a food venue, its proximity to a myriad of St. Petersburg's culinary establishments has made it a centerpiece in the city's gastronomic experience. Russian cuisine, influenced by various European and Asian flavors due to Russia's expansive geography, incorporates fresh produce from the nearby farms and the bounty of the Baltic Sea.

Historically, the Summer Garden area has been a locale for the aristocracy and gentry, which means the surrounding eateries would have catered to a palate demanding refinement and variety, serving dishes like borscht, pirozhki, and blini. During the Imperial era, French influence was predominant, so one could have expected to find French gastronomy integrated into the local dishes, suited for the tastes of the Russian nobles.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in St Petersburg Summer Garden

1. Borscht: A famous beetroot soup that is typically served with a dollop of sour cream, often vegetarian.
2. Pirozhki: Small baked or fried buns filled with a variety of fillings such as mushrooms or mashed potatoes, can be either vegetarian or non-vegetarian (excluding cow meat).
3. Blini: Russian pancakes that are thin and crepe-like, served with toppings such as sour cream, jam, honey, or caviar for non-vegetarians.
4. Olivier Salad: Known as Russian salad in other parts of the world, made with potatoes, peas, vegetables, eggs, and mayonnaise, mostly vegetarian excluding the occasional addition of fish or poultry.
5. Shchi: A traditional cabbage soup, which can be made vegetarian or with non-veal types of meat.
6. Mushroom Julienne: Creamy, cheesy mushroom dish, baked to golden perfection, vegetarian.
7. Syrniki: Fried quark (a type of fresh cheese) pancakes, sweet and often served with sour cream or fruit preserves, vegetarian.
8. Pelmeni: Dumplings that are usually filled with minced meat (poultry, lamb, or pork), but a vegetarian version can often be requested.
9. Vareniki: Similar to pelmeni, these dumplings are more often filled with cheese, fruit, or vegetables, making them a good vegetarian option.
10. Russian Honey Cake (Medovik): Layers of honey-infused sponge cake with sweet cream filling, vegetarian.

Top Famous Restaurants in St Petersburg Summer Garden and Their Offerings

• Troika Restaurant
  Address: Nevsky Ave, 32, St. Petersburg, 191186
  Famous Food: Red fish "Olivier", Non-Veg
• Russian Vodka Room No. 1
  Address: Konnogvardeyskiy Blvd, 4, St. Petersburg, 190000
  Famous Food: Herring under a fur coat (Shuba), Non-Veg (contains fish)
• Literary Cafe
  Address: Nevsky Prospect, 18, St. Petersburg, 191186
  Famous Food: Pastries and coffee, Vegetarian
• Stolle Pie Shop
  Address: Konnogvardeyskiy Blvd, 11, St. Petersburg, 190000
  Famous Food: Sweet and savory pies (with a variety of vegetarian options)
• The Idiot Restaurant
  Address: Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, 82, St. Petersburg, 190000
  Famous Food: Vegetarian borscht, Vegetarian